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2021 Acura Rdx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Rdx years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Acura Rdx are substantially higher than the model-year median of 36.5.

About this comparison →
111Owner complaints

Model-year median: 36.5

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
77
2018438
2019345
2020111
202131
202221
202311
2024
Compare all Rdx years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Unknown Or Other
30Engine
20Service Brakes
15Power Train
13Air Bags
11
All reported categories
Electrical System
10Structure
10Visibility/wiper
9Vehicle Speed Control
7Forward Collision Avoidance
6Seats
6Visibility
5Fuel/propulsion System
4Seat Belts
4Exterior Lighting
2Steering
2Suspension
2Back Over Prevention
1Lane Departure
1Service Brakes, Air
1Wheels
1

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: 12 of 111 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.

  • Engine. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Suspension complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
200 miles · Dec 16, 2020
Service Brakes, AirSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, SHE HEARD A CLUNKING AND RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL AREA. DURING ACCELERATION AND STOPPING, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JENKINS ACURA (2025 SW COLLEGE ROA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, SHE HEARD A CLUNKING AND RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL AREA. DURING ACCELERATION AND STOPPING, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JENKINS ACURA (2025 SW COLLEGE ROAD, OCALA, FL 34471, (352) 414-4588). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE MAKING THE SOUND AND NEEDED TO BE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A CALLBACK AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE BALL JOINTS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE AXLE AND WHEEL BEARINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REPLACED RF ROCKER ARM AND RF BALL JOINT ELIMINATING THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11383623

1,200 miles · Dec 14, 2020
Suspension

THERE IS A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEN DRIVING OR TURNING (POSSIBLE PASSENGER SIDE). IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOUR SPEED IS. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT MAY BE THE SUSPENSION OR STRUTS AND IT'S SO BAD THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE MY FRONT END IS FALLING APART. WITH ONLY 2400 MILES IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE. DROPPED IT OFF AT …

Read full complaint

THERE IS A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEN DRIVING OR TURNING (POSSIBLE PASSENGER SIDE). IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOUR SPEED IS. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT MAY BE THE SUSPENSION OR STRUTS AND IT'S SO BAD THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE MY FRONT END IS FALLING APART. WITH ONLY 2400 MILES IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE. DROPPED IT OFF AT THE DEALERS THIS MORNING AND SERVICE TECH DROVE IT AROUND BUILDING TO COME BACK AND SAY HOW BAD IT SOUNDED. HE SAYS HE HASN'T EVER HEARD THIS NOISE. ALSO, THE REAR, WHEN BREAKING AND ACCELERATING HAS A POPPING NOISE DURING TAKE OFF AND STOPPING. BOTH NOISES ARE GETTING MUCH WORSE TO THE POINT MY HUSBAND SAID THAT I COULD NOT DRIVE IT OUT OF CONCERN FOR SAFETY UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS FIXED. SEEMS CRAZY THAT YOU WOULD ALREADY EXPERIENCE ISSUES LIKE THIS IN A BRAND NEW $50K CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11383297

Official recalls

3

26V332000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

May 21, 2026

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

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.

24V064000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

Feb 1, 2024

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

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.

21V939000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Dec 2, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.