2021 Acura RDX Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RDX years
- Far more complaints than other years 6th of 20 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Acura RDX. That ranks 6th out of 20 RDX model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (31 complaints, 27%), typically at around 3,100 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 1 injury. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 116owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Acura RDX problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 31 | 27% | 3,100 | — | — |
| Engine | 23 | 20% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 15 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 13 | 11% | 128,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 11 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 10 | 9% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 10 | 9% | 16,550 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 10 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 6 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 6 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 5 | 4% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 3% | 15,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 2% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% | 700 | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1% | 200 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | 800 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Acura RDX recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Problem: 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: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger
Problem: 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: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
Problem: 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: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, or cause the vehicle to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Rear window shattered spontaneously twice. 9/12/24 & 10/11/26
2021 Acura RDX has cold start, uses coolant and will stumble, limp mode approaching 2000 RPM. Vehicle will flash check engine light and then will go away when vehicle is restarted. Using search criteria noted TSB issued for same make model and year with an extended warranty being offered through…
Acura Sunnyside in New Hampshire denied to repair my recall on my 2021 Acura RDX.
Engine was replaced 12/13/25 due to cracked cylinder head causing oil to leak into exhaust and fill cylinder 2 and 3. 09/21/26 new engine replacement done in December 25, has now blown cylinder head gasket seal in under 12,000 Miles. Causing coolant to leak into cylinders 2 and 3.
Head Gasket blown known problem with Honda and Acura 2.0T I didnât know of this issue until it occurred to Loi Me in 2025 My Acura dealership told me itâs a huge problem with the Acura RDXand it should be a warranty extension similar to the warranty extension for other Honda products done in…
Other Acura RDX years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 RDX | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 RDX | 30 | 1 |
| 2024 RDX | 12 | 2 |
| 2023 RDX | 24 | 2 |
| 2022 RDX | 31 | 2 |
| 2021 | 116 | 3 |
| 2020 RDX | 348 | 5 |
| 2019 RDX | 440 | 5 |
| 2018 RDX | 77 | 1 |
| 2017 RDX | 79 | 1 |
| 2016 RDX | 41 | 2 |
| 2015 RDX | 415 | 3 |
| 2014 RDX | 244 | 3 |
| 2013 RDX | 162 | 3 |
| 2012 RDX | 15 | 2 |
| 2011 RDX | 16 | 2 |
| 2010 RDX | 22 | 2 |
| 2009 RDX | 15 | 2 |
| 2008 RDX | 33 | 3 |
| 2007 RDX | 53 | 2 |
See all Acura RDX problems by year, every Acura model, or the Acura VIN decoder.
Similar Acura models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Acura RDX?
Owners most often report unknown or other, engine, service brakes problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 31 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Acura RDX?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 Acura RDX a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RDX model years, the 2021 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.