Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2009 Acura RDX with NHTSA between 2009 and 2025.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 16 of 19 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 6
Against the median year of the Acura RDX. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 32
6.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 68
40% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
120.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
120.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
120.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
240.0%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2009 Acura RDX 4-DR. w/SAB
—
—
—
15.5% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2009peak 4Feb 2025
Recalls on the 2009 Acura RDX
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2016046269,201 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will inspect/replace the driver's frontal airbag inflator. Note: Honda Canada has created a special Airbag Inflator Hotline for immediate assistance. For more information, please contact: For Honda Owners: 1-877-445-7754 For Acura Owners: 1-877-445-9844
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Albuquerque, NMCrash
AIR BAGS
I was involved in an accident and upon impact the airbags didn’t deploy although there was a chemical smell that occurred and the check airbag light comes on intermittently. Also driver seatbelt locked up and does not retract out.
NHTSA complaint #11644376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Albuquerque, NMCrash
AIR BAGS
I was involved in an accident and upon impact the airbags didn’t deploy although there was a chemical smell that occurred and the check airbag light comes on intermittently. Also driver seatbelt locked up and does not retract out.
NHTSA complaint #11644376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesWaterbury, CT
WHEELS
AN ERROR MESSAGE ALWAYS COMES ON FOR "THE BRAKE SYSTEM" & "TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS". THEY BECOME PROBLEMATIC WHEN THE TEMP OUTSIDE DROPS TO 20 AND BELOW. LIVING IN CONNECTICUT DURING THE WINTER TIME A LOT OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR ACURA RDX'S AND MDX'S. AS SOON AS YOU TURN THE VEHICLE ON THE ERROR MESSAGES ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS DIFFERENT FROM THE NORMAL. AS SOON AS THE CAR WARMS UP OR THE OUTSIDE TEMP GOES UP HIGHER THAN 30 DEGREES IT GOES AWAY. AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TOOK LONGER TO STOP AND I HAD TO STOMP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD (GOING 20MPH)
NHTSA complaint #11062739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesWaterbury, CT
SERVICE BRAKES
AN ERROR MESSAGE ALWAYS COMES ON FOR "THE BRAKE SYSTEM" & "TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS". THEY BECOME PROBLEMATIC WHEN THE TEMP OUTSIDE DROPS TO 20 AND BELOW. LIVING IN CONNECTICUT DURING THE WINTER TIME A LOT OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR ACURA RDX'S AND MDX'S. AS SOON AS YOU TURN THE VEHICLE ON THE ERROR MESSAGES ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS DIFFERENT FROM THE NORMAL. AS SOON AS THE CAR WARMS UP OR THE OUTSIDE TEMP GOES UP HIGHER THAN 30 DEGREES IT GOES AWAY. AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE TOOK LONGER TO STOP AND I HAD TO STOMP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD (GOING 20MPH)
NHTSA complaint #11062739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yukon, OK
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA complaint #10967824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Downers Grove, IL
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10954186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westfield, NY
AIR BAGS
"TAKATA RECALL" NOTHING HAS HAPPENED AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM. I GOT THE RECALL NOTICE IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND I JUST CHECKED AND THE FIX IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. I AM PATIENT BUT 9 MONTHS SEEMS LIKE TOO LONG TO HAVE TO WAIT TO HAVE A DANGEROUS AIRBAG CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10916775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windsorville, NC
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10874786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windsorville, NC
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10874787 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vacaville, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10874478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vineyard Haven, MA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10871845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
KEW Gardens, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10862844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stamford, CT
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL CALLED ACURA NATIONAL , TOLD TO CALL ACURA DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP DOESN'T KNOW WHEN NEW PART WILL BE AVAILABLE AND DOESN'T HAVE LOANER CAR TO GIVE ME. CAR IS BEING DRIVEN BY MY 18 Y/O DAUGHTER FOR SCHOOL COMMUTE. REPAIR WILL BE MORE THAN 60 DAYS AND THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT FOR MY OLDER 2009 CAR WHEN I KNOW A RECENT REPLACEMENT WAS ALREADY INSTALLED ON A 2016 RDX IN NEARBY NORWALK, CONNECTICUT DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10862384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,175 milesSpringfield, MO
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
A DRIVER AND ONE PASSENGER WERE TRAVELING DOWN AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 70 MPH. ALL WINDOWS WERE CLOSED, THE SUNROOF AND SUNROOF SHADE WERE CLOSED. APPROX. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 45 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, A SUNNY BUT COLD DAY, AND THE INSIDE VEHICLE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROX. 70 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. OUT OF NOWHERE, A LOUD POP (LIKE A GUNSHOT) WAS HEARD. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, THERE WAS THE FAINT SOUND OF OUTSIDE AIR COMING FROM THE SUNROOF. THE DRIVER OPENED THE SUNROOF SHADE JUST ENOUGH TO IMMEDIATELY SEE THAT THE ENTIRE SUNROOF GLASS WAS SHATTERED (STILL INTACT, BUT COMPLETELY SHATTERED). WITHIN THREE MINUTES WHEN A SAFE PLACE WAS REACHED, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO EXAMINE FROM OUTSIDE. DRIVER GOT OUT OF THE CAR, AND SAW THAT THE GLASS SUNROOF WAS BUCKLED UPWARDS (AS THOUGH IT HAD POPPED FROM THE INSIDE). THE GLASS WAS NOT BROKEN IN ANY PATTERN WHICH INDICATED AN OBJECT FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE HAD HIT IT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE OF ANY INCIDENT. IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE GLASS HAD POPPED, POTENTIALLY DUE TO INCORRECT PRESSURE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THESE FACTORS LEAD US TO BELIEVE THE INCIDENT IS A VEHICLE SAFETY ISSUE, AT THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #10482440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50 milesPlainfield, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE FAILS TO SHIFT AND HITS REV LIMITER STOPING ALL FORWARD MOMENTUM. MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE IS MARKETED AS AN AUTOMATIC, BUT WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN "S", YOU HAVE TO USE THE SHIFTERS TO SHIFT, HOWEVER IF YOU ARE IN EVEN A SLIGHT TURN, YOU CANNOT ACCESS THE SHIFTERS AS THEY TURN WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE ARE NO WARNINGS OF THIS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. ACURA HAS BEEN CONTACTED AN REFUSES TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10339462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,623 milesHawley, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EXCESSIVE WEAR OF REAR BRAKE COMPONENTS
NHTSA complaint #10321703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2009 ACURA RDX HAS UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, HE APPLIED THE BRAKE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. HE PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER THEN SWITCHED THE GEAR FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND THEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED GOING FORWARD, BUT THE ENGINE REVVED EVEN MORE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT HAS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10291729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
