Third generation
2021 Acura RDX
The most reported problem on the 2021 Acura RDX is brake wear, with 16 complaints.
- 113owner complaints
- 3recalls
- 3involved a crash
- 15,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2021 Acura RDX has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2021 Acura RDX reliable?
The 2021 Acura RDX has 113 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 12 RDX model years since 2014, it has the 5th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2020 draws 49, the 2021 19 and the 2022 6.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Brake wear has 16 complaints and rear window shattering has 16, out of 113 in all. Too few of the brake wear reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 4 of the 113 complaints (4%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 3 reports mention a crash and 1 person was hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 3 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 27, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 22 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: brakes grind, pulse or wear early, 16 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
113 complaints is 1.7 times fewer than the median 2021 model on this site and 1.9 times fewer than the median 2021 SUV. Among the 5 RDX model years here it ranks 5th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Acura RDX
Acura filed 194 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Acura RDX. 13 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 3 bulletins · 16 complaints
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2022 RDXs with a client complaint of a front and/or rear brake noise which can be described as a squeal.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021-2022 RDXs with a client complaint of a brake noise. The noise can be described as a squeal.
1 more on this problem
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2021 RDXs with a client complaint of a brake noise. The noise can be described as a squeal.
Windshield cracks or distorts 3 bulletins · 14 complaints
The client notices loss of auto function, or no function, of the sunroof glass/sunshade due to a Motor-Control Unit error code in the clock frequency check falsely detecting a failure.
The client may notice a loss of auto function, or no function, of the sunroof glass/sunshade due to a Motor-Control Unit error code in the clock frequency check falsely detecting a failure.
1 more on this problem
A driver can notice loss of auto function, or no function, of the sunroof glass/sunshade due to Motor-Control Unit error code in the clock frequency check falsely detecting a failure.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 2 bulletins · 12 complaints
The MIL is flashing with a loss of power. This is most common in hot, humid regions, or after a period of rainfall. Humid air within the intake passage may condense and accumulate moisture during steady driving which enters the engine and may cause a misfire ...
The MIL is flashing with loss of power. Humid air within the intake tract may condense and accumulate excessive moisture during steady driving.
Check engine light or misfire 3 bulletins · 11 complaints
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2020-2022 MDXs & RDXs with a client complaint of the Check Engine Light (CEL) on & the DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low [Loss of Fuel Pressure]) stored.
Under certain circumstances, the vehicle may experience driveability concerns. This may result in the following DTCâs to set: ⢠P0300 (Random Misfire Detected), ⢠P0301 (No. 1 Cylinder Misfire Detected), ⢠P0302 (No. 2 Cylinder Misfire Detected), ⢠...
1 more on this problem
The MIL comes on with DTC P061B (PCM Internal Malfunction) is stored.
Seat belt or seat problems 1 bulletin · 9 complaints
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2020-2021 RDXs with a client complaint of the center console lid (armrest) not latching/staying closed intermittently or at all times.
Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 1 bulletin · 7 complaints
The AWD indicator comes on with DTC C1843-62 (left rear differential fluid pressure deviation) and/or DTC C1844-62 (right rear differential fluid pressure deviation).
Complaints filed by year
27 complaints came in 2025. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2021 Acura RDX
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Acura RDX and 2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. A component in the right or left front driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which could result in driveshaft failure.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right or left front driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BBY, NBW, and OBX.
All 3 recalls on the 2021 Acura RDX, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Acura RDX?
Brake wear, with 16 of the 113 complaints.
At what mileage do 2021 Acura RDX problems start?
Of the 21 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 7,000 miles and half by about 15,000.
Is the 2021 Acura RDX better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has fewer complaints than the 2020 and more complaints than the 2022: 19 a year against 49 and 6.
How many 2021 Acura RDX complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
4 of them (4%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for brake wear on the 2021 Acura RDX?
No recall on file for the 2021 Acura RDX is on the same system as brake wear. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.