Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 63 of 410 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 338 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility/wiper. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
410 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2022
Exterior Lighting
Over the last year or so, the halogen headlights have gradually become so dim that visibility at night is severely impaired. Dealer has tested all electrical components and the bulbs have been replaced, with no improvement in visibility. Dealer recommendation is to replace both headlight assemblies at a quoted cost over $2500. I…
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Over the last year or so, the halogen headlights have gradually become so dim that visibility at night is severely impaired. Dealer has tested all electrical components and the bulbs have been replaced, with no improvement in visibility. Dealer recommendation is to replace both headlight assemblies at a quoted cost over $2500. I have found other owners complaining of the same degradation of visibility with non-HID equipped models so I don't believe this to be an isolated case.
NHTSA ODI #11455024
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2022
Exterior Lighting
Front headlights have gradually gotten dimmer to the point where they are almost unsafe.
NHTSA ODI #11453313
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2022
Exterior Lighting
The headlights have gotten progressively worse over time to the point I cannot see. The light does not extend more than a feet feet and very dimly. Oncoming traffic is flashing brights at me as if i have no lights on. It is extremely dangerous and I have nearly had accidents.
NHTSA ODI #11451735
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2022
Exterior Lighting
The headlight low beams are very dim and the service manager at Acura said this is a known problem with 2015 RDX. The metal lining that projects the bulb light deteriorates and the lights go dim. The replacement cost is about $2500. Acura has agreed to pay all but $750. I think this is a safety defect worthy of a recall. Please …
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The headlight low beams are very dim and the service manager at Acura said this is a known problem with 2015 RDX. The metal lining that projects the bulb light deteriorates and the lights go dim. The replacement cost is about $2500. Acura has agreed to pay all but $750. I think this is a safety defect worthy of a recall. Please assist me as soon as possible. It’s a major safety issue that Acura us aware of (as evidenced by their willing to cover 2/3 of the cost. I want them to cover 100% of the cost!
NHTSA ODI #11450348
45,000 miles · Jan 28, 2022
Exterior Lighting
The contact owns a 2015 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving at night at an undisclosed speed, the low-beam headlights failed to illuminate as needed. The contact had to use the high-beam headlight for safe driving. The dealer and Acura of Peabody (233 Andover St, Peabody, MA 01960) were made aware of the failure, an…
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The contact owns a 2015 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving at night at an undisclosed speed, the low-beam headlights failed to illuminate as needed. The contact had to use the high-beam headlight for safe driving. The dealer and Acura of Peabody (233 Andover St, Peabody, MA 01960) were made aware of the failure, and informed the contact that the headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that he would need to pay out of pocket for the headlight replacement. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #11449267
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2022
Exterior Lighting
Headlight delaminated causing passenger side low beam to be so dim it doesn’t look like it’s illuminating. Pulled bulb to replace to identify it illuminates just as bright as driver side. Opened a case with Acura to which they referred me to go to the dealership and if they agreed they would consider it covered. 10 min into the …
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Headlight delaminated causing passenger side low beam to be so dim it doesn’t look like it’s illuminating. Pulled bulb to replace to identify it illuminates just as bright as driver side. Opened a case with Acura to which they referred me to go to the dealership and if they agreed they would consider it covered. 10 min into the diagnosis the tech agreed with me. Acura then denied my case indicating this is not under warranty and no recall. $160 for a diagnosis later the issue still remains. The worst client relations I’ve ever experienced. Honda should be appalled they treat there customers this way.
NHTSA ODI #11448888
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2022
Exterior Lighting
RDX 2015 57, 500 miles. This is my 5th Acura . Since OCt 2021 difficult driving at night due to low beams not deflecting enough light-now cannot drive vehicle when it gets dark-UNSAFE took the car to acura dealership and service advisor stated the panel where bulb deflects and receives lights from is shattered. "This is a com…
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RDX 2015 57, 500 miles. This is my 5th Acura . Since OCt 2021 difficult driving at night due to low beams not deflecting enough light-now cannot drive vehicle when it gets dark-UNSAFE took the car to acura dealership and service advisor stated the panel where bulb deflects and receives lights from is shattered. "This is a common defect". He stated I would need to replace the whole headlight assembly low beam panel-not only the bulbs. $2006.74 plus labor of $398.00 headlights on my vehicle dont project adequate light to see while driving at night. In my research of other vehicles of the same make, model, and year, shows that there are numerous customer complaints and issues with the functioning of the headlight assembly for the 2015 Acura RDX. The failed headlights are a big safety issue that Acura has adequately addressed.
NHTSA ODI #11447819
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2022
Exterior Lighting
The headlights are extremely dim, dangerously so. I have tried troubleshooting and the voltage at the headlamp connector is 3 volts. The fusebox and headlamp relay are 14 volts. Searching for an answer online, I find there are a myriad of other owners with the same dim headlamp problem. Dealerships seem unable to fix to the issu…
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The headlights are extremely dim, dangerously so. I have tried troubleshooting and the voltage at the headlamp connector is 3 volts. The fusebox and headlamp relay are 14 volts. Searching for an answer online, I find there are a myriad of other owners with the same dim headlamp problem. Dealerships seem unable to fix to the issue.
NHTSA ODI #11447503
Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2022
Exterior Lighting
The low beam reflector surface is failing and the quality of the lighting on the road at night at standard low beam is a danger to me and to pedestrians. This almost resulted in serious injury to someone was when I was driving in the early evening last week and did not see a pedestrian walking along the side of the road until th…
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The low beam reflector surface is failing and the quality of the lighting on the road at night at standard low beam is a danger to me and to pedestrians. This almost resulted in serious injury to someone was when I was driving in the early evening last week and did not see a pedestrian walking along the side of the road until the very last second and swerved to avoid them. They were not wearing bright clothing, but I realized that it was also the fault of my headlights after a friend had driven my car and had questioned the quality of my headlights. The gradual deterioration in quality over time was something that I had come to accept, but now realize is very dangerous to me and pedestrians. I visited my local Honda dealership to ask about this and they indicated that they have had many customers ask about the quality of the lighting on these vehicles. In addition, a quick search on the internet identified a number of forums where this problem is starting to be reported more frequently and could be a danger to many people other than myself and the pedestrians on the roads around us, see for example community.cartalk.com/acura-rdx-2015-dim--headlights/180589/23
NHTSA ODI #11446995
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2022
Exterior Lighting
Low beam headlights shine very dimly. Can not see at night without using high beams Problem has not yet been reported to dealer. Vehicle has not yet been inspected by dealer, police or insurance representative No warning lights activated to warn about problem
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
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