159 of the
2,669 complaints filed about the Acura RDX
are about the electrical system —
100% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2019.
The factory-installed LED Daytime Running Light (DRL) system on my 2019 Acura RDX has failed. The passenger-side DRL is completely inoperative, and an authorized Acura dealership documented that the driver's-side DRL is beginning to fail as well. The affected components are available for inspection upon request dealership has declined to provide further documents and American Honda Moto Daytime Running Lights are a safety-related exterior lighting system designed to improve vehicle visibility to other motorists. The failure of one DRL and the developing failure of the second DRL may reduce vehicle visibility and create a potential safety concern. On July 3, 2026, Cerritos Acura inspected the vehicle and confirmed the condition. The dealership's written diagnosis states: "Recommend passenger headlight assembly due to daytime running light out. Recommend driver's headlight assembly due to daytime running light going out as well." The dealership recommended replacement of both headlight assemblies. The dealership found no evidence of collision damage, misuse, unauthorized modifications, or water intrusion. The DRL is an internal LED component that is not serviceable separately and requires replacement of the entire headlight assembly. The vehicle has been inspected by Cerritos Acura, an authorized Acura dealership. To my knowledge, the vehicle has not been inspected by police, insurance representatives, or any government agency there is no record of any only with the dealership. There were no warning lights, warning messages, dashboard indicators, or other symptoms before the failure occurred. The DRL failure happened without warning and was later confirmed by dealership inspection. I am concerned that the failure of both factory-installed LED DRL assemblies may indicate a defect in the lighting system rather than normal wear and tear. The condition was confirmed by an authorized Acura dealership and was not attributed to accident damage or other external causes.
NHTSA complaint #11762633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting recurring water intrusion into the driver-side passenger compartment of my 2020 Acura RDX following significant rainfall. This has occurred multiple times. The most recent incident occurred on August 28, 2026, following heavy rainfall. Water entered the vehicle and accumulated on the driver-side floor, leaving the interior floor in a puddle. I documented the water intrusion with photographs and video and submitted that documentation to my automobile insurance company as part of a claim. The vehicle was not being driven through standing water; the intrusion occurred after rainfall while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle has previously been inspected by North Park Lincoln of Dominion, where I purchased the vehicle. Despite the prior inspection, the vehicle has continued to experience water intrusion into the driver-side cabin following significant rainfall. The recurring water intrusion raises concern that the panoramic sunroof drainage system may not be adequately draining or preventing water from entering the passenger compartment. Water entering the cabin can reach wiring, electrical connectors, control modules, and other electrical components located within the vehicle and could potentially cause electrical malfunction or other unsafe conditions. The most recent water intrusion is documented, and the vehicle and affected components are available for inspection upon request. Photographs and video documenting the August 28, 2026 incident were provided to my automobile insurance company. I am reporting this because the water intrusion has occurred repeatedly and I am concerned that this may represent a recurring safety-related defect with the 2020 Acura RDX panoramic sunroof drainage/water management system rather than an isolated incident. There were no warning lamps or messages specifically preceding the August 28, 2026 water intrusion. The primary symptom was substantial water accumulation on the driver-side floor following rainfall.
NHTSA complaint #11760705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting recurring water intrusion into my 2020 Acura RDX following significant rainfall. The first water intrusion resulted from heavy rainfall in April 2026. I did not discover the water inside the vehicle until May 1, 2026, when I found water accumulated on the driver-side floor. I filed an insurance claim after discovering the damage. Following the May 1 discovery, Gunn Acura, where I purchased the vehicle, inspected it. The dealership found the panoramic sunroof drainage system had a kinked/clogged drain line that was not properly allowing water to drain. The dealership also identified corrosion affecting wiring harness components and recommended repairs including replacement of the moonroof drain tube, carpet removal/cleaning, and replacement of affected wiring harnesses. Following another heavy rainfall on June 15, 2026, water again entered the vehicle. The water intrusion has resulted in electrical concerns, including warning messages and electrical abnormalities. Water entering the cabin can reach wiring, electrical connectors, control modules and other critical electrical components, creating a potential safety risk. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection upon request. I have dealership documentation of the kinked/clogged drain and recommended repairs, as well as insurance documentation related to the water intrusion. I am reporting this because a failure of the panoramic sunroof drainage system has resulted in repeated cabin water intrusion and potential damage to critical electrical components. I believe this may represent a recurring safety-related defect rather than ordinary water leakage.
NHTSA complaint #11760711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle’s keyless access/security and body control system malfunctioned. An authorized Acura dealer previously diagnosed water intrusion from blocked panoramic sunroof drains, including water reaching the Body Control Module (BCM) Multiplex Control Unit. The dealer reported that this was causing false security alarm activation and battery drainage and recommended BCM replacement. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection upon request.The condition has since escalated. The security alarm repeatedly activated without cause and became difficult or impossible to silence. The dashboard displayed, “Keyless Access System Problem\. See Your Dealer.” During the latest episode, the engine spontaneously started without an authorized remote start command, and attempts to stop the engine were unsuccessful. The 12-volt battery was therefore disconnected to disable the vehicle and will remain disconnected until the vehicle is taken to the Acura dealership for diagnosis. This created a safety risk because the vehicle demonstrated unintended engine operation and loss of normal control over engine shutdown, creating potential risks of unintended operation, exhaust carbon monoxide exposure if this occurred in an enclosed area, and battery depletion. The dealer has confirmed the water intrusion and BCM security system malfunction. However, the unauthorized engine start and failure to shut down event occurred after that diagnosis and has not yet been evaluated by the dealer. Before the unauthorized start, symptoms included repeated false alarms, battery drainage, documented water intrusion, and the Keyless Access System warning. The warning was photographed at approximately 81,416 miles during the same period of escalating electrical security problems.
NHTSA complaint #11758676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Two low-speed sudden unintended acceleration events while parking a 2021 Acura RDX. Incident 1 (July 2026): While parking at low speed, the car unexpectedly surged forward. Flew up the curb and hit a restaurant window, causing massive undercarriage damage. Active braking did not help and seemed to make acceleration worse. It only stopped when it wanted to. Incident 2 (August 2026): Two weeks after getting the car back from repairs, under identical low-speed parking conditions, a second sudden acceleration event occurred. Slamming on the brakes did nothing. It stopped after scraping a car wash vacuum pole, destroying the entire passenger side. Prior to these, the car exhibited erratic safety software behavior, including multiple phantom braking incidents where it slammed on its brakes violently with no obstacles present. I bought the car Certified Pre-Owned two years ago. The dealership repaired a known "popping sound" from the panoramic sunroof frame three times. This required extensive cabin/pillar teardown work, which may have disturbed internal wiring harnesses or grounding points linked to the electronic throttle control system. In both events, it felt like an uncontrolled amusement park ride—the engine loudly revving and taking over with zero driver control. I initially assumed pedal confusion during the first crash, but since it happened again under identical circumstances, there is clearly a systemic electronic/software defect in the Throttle Actuator or Powertrain Control Module. The vehicle is at an insurance network body shop awaiting forensic evaluation of the throttle system, pedal sensors, and a Bosch EDR black box download.
NHTSA complaint #11758797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My RDX experienced a water-intrusion failure involving the panoramic sunroof drainage system and associated electrical components. An authorized Acura dealer diagnosed the right-front sunroof drain as backed up/overflowing, allowing water to reach the Body Control Module (BCM/Multiplex Control Unit). The dealer attributed abnormal security-alarm activation and battery drain to the water-damaged BCM and indicated that the BCM required replacement. The dealer also identified a blocked right-rear sunroof drain that allowed water to reach the tuner, causing radio/stereo malfunction and requiring tuner replacement. The water intrusion reached critical electrical components and caused unpredictable electrical behavior, including unexplained security-alarm activations, exterior lights remaining illuminated, complete battery discharge, loss of keyless access, and ultimately a no-start condition that rendered the vehicle inoperable. After the battery was depleted, I had to use the manual key to enter the vehicle. This created a risk of being stranded and raised concerns about the reliability of the vehicle’s electrical systems. There were no known dashboard warning lamps or conventional warning messages before the failure. AcuraLink recorded unexplained security-alarm activations on August 16, 2026, at 10:27 PM EDT and again on August 19, 2026, at 10:51 AM EDT. During the overnight incident, the alarm activated and the exterior lights remained on until the recently replaced battery was completely discharged. The car also experienced radio/stereo problems traced by the dealer to water reaching the tuner, and water was present in the passenger-footwell area. My car was inspected and the problem confirmed by an authorized Acura dealership. The car is available for inspection and available upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11758403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have been experiencing issues with the alarm system when I lock the car the alarm randomly goes off. I have had my battery replaced and it still happens. There is nothing touching the handles during these times, it happens randomly, something internal going on. The only way to be sure it won’t disturb my neighbors is to leave my door unlocked which is unsafe.
NHTSA complaint #11755243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The center infotainment display went completely black, with only the backup camera feed still functioning. There was no audio output at all (radio, navigation prompts, or Bluetooth). The dealer diagnosed and replaced the FAKRA service cables under Acura TSB B23-025, which addresses this exact display-blank/audio failure. After the cable repair, the screen remained black and audio remained completely non-functional. The dealer then determined the tuner/AV control unit had failed, confirmed by swapping in a working unit from another RDX which restored function. Acura Client Relations was contacted and declined to provide any coverage for the tuner unit replacement, stating the TSB only covers the cables themselves, despite the failure occurring immediately downstream of the covered repair. The vehicle is safe to drive but loses infotainment display, audio, navigation, and rear camera guidelines during forward driving, which is a distraction and safety concern. The vehicle remains available for inspection. No warning lamps preceded the failure; the screen simply went black."
NHTSA complaint #11754516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GPS has stopped working. This affects navigation safety. Also, creates clock error and compass error. It's dangerous to get lost and disoriented. This is a common problem in many Acuras. Needs to be a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11751325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The transmission went into limp mode one day after coming to a stop. When I safely got home, I turned the car off. Upon restarting, the issue was gone, but this has now happened several times. Each time, putting the car into park, shutting it off, and restarting it "resets" whatever was going on. Eventually the CE light came on, got the code, and it came back as P0873. The CE light was off after once again shutting the engine off and then restarting. I've purchased the necessary materials to complete the repair, but I've read on many forums this is a common issue, with some even reporting it recurring even after replacing the pressure switch. Acura should issue a recall and absolve all consumers of costs incurred. URLs provided below from Reddit threads and an Acura discussion forum regarding similar issues all over. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11746062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am writing to report an incident involving the rear window of my2019 Acura RDX that shattered unexpectedly. The incident occurred while the vehicle was parked at my workplace. I was notified by a co-worker that the rear window had shattered. Upon inspection, there was no obvious sign of a collision, vandalism, or other event that would explain the damage. A glass replacement company was called to my workplace to replace the shattered rear window. After examining the vehicle, the technician advised that there was no evidence of an external impact, such as a rock strike or other object, that would have caused the glass to break. Because the window appeared to shatter without any apparent outside force, I am concerned that this may indicate a defect in the rear glass or its installation. I respectfully request that this incident be documented and reviewed as a potential safety-related issue. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
NHTSA complaint #11745769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while at a complete stop at a stop sign or traffic light, the engine auto stop-start system was inoperable upon depression of the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer initially suggested that the battery might require replacement. However, another dealer determined that the battery was functioning properly and exhibited no defects upon inspection. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11743690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Auto High-Beam system activates the high beams inappropriately during operation. The system triggers the high beams directly into the eyes of oncoming traffic and activates during early dusk conditions. The sudden, intense illumination blinds oncoming drivers. This creates an immediate glare hazard and significantly increases the risk of a head-on collision. I reported this specific failure to the authorized dealership on three separate occasions, engaging three distinct service advisors during the active warranty period. The service department omitted these complaints from the formal repair orders. The first advisor stated the system was functioning normally. The second advisor stated the technicians completed an inspection and verified the system as fully operational. The third advisor acknowledged experiencing the exact same malfunction on their personal vehicle and instructed me to manually disable the safety feature. The system fails silently, displaying zero warning lamps or error messages prior to or during the malfunctions. The attached service invoices document a severe, underlying instability within the vehicle's electrical and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) network, culminating in a complete VSA modulator replacement. These records establish a confirmed administrative pattern of the dealership dismissing intermittent safety faults, officially logging statements such as "unable to verify issue" and "no problem found" on subsequent visits. This evidentiary paper trail substantiates the dealership's systemic suppression of my specific, repeated verbal reports regarding the Auto High-Beam safety hazard. The vehicle and the Auto High-Beam system remain available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11737515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On several occasions, the car alarm starts randomly sounding. When my son went to the vehicle, the lights on the dash board were flashing on and off and there was a clicking sound. We replaced the batteries in the key fobs. The battery was low so we had that recharged but the problem continued. We replaced the car battery and that appeared to solve the problem for about 6 months. The same problem occurred again. The only way to stop the alarm from going off is to disconnect the battery. Leaving the door unlocked does not stop this from happening. When we searched online, it is clear this is a common problem with this car, but there have been no recalls or TSB issued. This is a safety issue because we need to disconnect the battery and leave the car unlocked when we leave the vehicle. This has not been inspected by any service center. Based on our research, Acura will recommend replacing the smart power control unit at a cost of up to $1500 or more. We are hoping that others have reported this as well.
NHTSA complaint #11737153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2025 Acura RDX with an open EPS recall involving potential loss of power steering assist due to improper software calibration. I live in Bozeman, Montana, far from the nearest Acura dealer. Acura customer care and escalated supervisor offered no reasonable accommodation. Completing this safety recall requires substantial long-distance travel and lease mileage to repair a manufacturer defect. I am submitting this complaint regarding recall remedy access and owner burden.
NHTSA complaint #11733113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving through an active intersection, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of electrical power. The engine shut off without warning and all electrical systems immediately went dead. The instrument cluster went dark, the ignition was unresponsive, and the hazard lights did not function. The vehicle lost propulsion while in traffic and could not be restarted. Police were required to block traffic to prevent a collision. Emergency responders attempted to jump start the vehicle, but the jump start had no effect. The vehicle showed no signs of electrical power at all. After approximately 15 minutes, while awaiting a tow truck, electrical power returned spontaneously without any repairs or external intervention, and the vehicle was able to start normally. The battery had been replaced approximately one month prior. No other repairs or modifications have been performed on the vehicle. If the battery were discharged, a jump start should have restored power, but it did not. The total electrical blackout and delayed self‑recovery suggest an intermittent main power connection failure. This incident resulted in complete loss of motive power, steering assist, brake assist, turn signals, and hazard lights while in traffic, creating a serious safety hazard.
NHTSA complaint #11729130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle: 2019 Acura RDX (Technology Package) I am reporting a serious safety issue involving sudden loss of engine power while driving. On March 14, 2026, I filled my gas tank before traveling approximately 1.5 hours out of town. The vehicle operated normally that day. The following morning, during snowy and icy conditions, while accelerating in traffic, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard (“Christmas tree” effect), and the steering became very stiff, making it difficult to safely maneuver the vehicle out of traffic. I was able to restart the vehicle, but warning lights remained on. The next day, while driving on the highway under normal conditions, the same issue occurred again. While accelerating, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled in traffic, creating a dangerous situation. In response, the fuel pump inside the gas tank was replaced; however, the problem persists. The vehicle continues to display warning lights and still loses power when accelerating. I contacted an Acura dealership after seeing reports of a fuel pump recall for similar vehicles, but I was told my VIN was not included. Despite this, the symptoms match known fuel pump-related issues. This defect poses a serious safety risk, especially when driving at highway speeds or in traffic, as sudden loss of power and steering assist can lead to a crash. No injuries have occurred yet, but the issue is ongoing and unresolved. I am requesting investigation into this issue as a potential safety defect.
NHTSA complaint #11728433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 3/26/2026 a symbol of an engine appeared on my dash. Then several minutes later the car began running very rough and numerous warnings signs came on including Check Engine, Check AWD System, Check Power Steering System, Check Uphill Assist system and others. I took the car to my mechanic this morning and after checking various systems he determined the Cylinder Deactivation system was not performing properly. He replaced the spark plug for cylinder 3 and confirmed the ignition coil is functioning properly. He was not able to correct the problem and said I should contact the dealer as he thought Honda had issued an extended recall on the Acura 2013 RDXs because of this problem. He said this malfunction has caused my AWD system to be disabled. I called the dealer and they said there was no recall for this issue. I have an appointment on 3/31 to have them check it out. My car only has 83,635 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint #11727590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Acura RDX. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 92,551. The Carfax Report sent from the dealer indicated that the mileage was 93,000. After retrieving a Carfax Report, the mileage was 162,551.
NHTSA complaint #11723690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Component Failure & Inspection: The rear windshield glass spontaneously imploded/shattered. This is a documented manufacturing defect involving the rear defroster grid, as detailed in Acura Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-014. The vehicle and the shattered glass are currently available for inspection. Safety Risk: The glass shattered while the vehicle was occupied, spraying shards of tempered glass into the cabin. This posed an immediate risk of laceration and eye injury to the occupants, as well as a significant distraction/startle hazard that could have resulted in a collision if the vehicle were in motion. Confirmation: The failure was inspected and confirmed by McGrath Acura of Westmont on February 27, 2026. The dealership acknowledged the existence of TSB 22-014 and the defect in the defroster grid but has not yet provided a full remedy. Manufacturer Inspection: The vehicle is an Acura Precision Certified unit. A formal case has been opened with Acura Client Relations (Case #16209033), and photos of the failure have been provided to them. Warning Symptoms: There were no warning lamps or symptoms prior to the failure. The glass imploded suddenly and without external impact while the vehicle was stationary.
NHTSA complaint #11722255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.