2021 Acura RDX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
111 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
22,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 111 complaints (27.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 22 | 19.8% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 7.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 5.4% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 30 |
| Engine | 20 |
| Service Brakes | 15 |
| Power Train | 13 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Structure:Body | 9 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 9 |
Unknown Or Other: 30; Engine: 20; Service Brakes: 15; Power Train: 13; Air Bags: 11; Electrical System: 9; Structure:Body: 9; Visibility/Wiper: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 99 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 20 |
2020: 2; 2021: 17; 2022: 13; 2023: 10; 2024: 22; 2025: 27; 2026: 20
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11420161 · 2021-06-08 (June 8, 2021)
On May 9th we were driving on the freeway at around 3 pm on a sunlit clear day. It was a straight section of road. Dry pavement and traffic moving reasonably well. The car in front of us was at least 100 yards in front of us and about the same for the vehicle behind I believe. We were going around 50 mph. The car slammed on the brakes so hard the seat belt restraints engaged as we flew forward, enough so that my wife and I were both sore the next day. Items on the back seat flew onto the floor. If there had been a car behind us we would have be…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420161 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11430610 · 2021-08-26 (August 26, 2021)
On 3 separate occasions my Collision mitigation braking system has malfunctioned. The first time I was driving at 55 with my cruise control set with no cars in front, behind or beside me when, without warning or reason, the orange brake light abruptly flashed on my front dash panel and my car abruptly stopped in a whiplash manner. The second occasion I was driving on the interstate at 65, on this particular interstate, the 64, it splits to the right to a separate interstate, the 264, and cars wait until the last minute to go 3 lanes of traff…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418254 · 2021-05-24 (May 24, 2021)
2021 RDX A-spec 7322 miles northbound Hwy 95 Nevada to Oregon, raining. Attempted to pass semi, car behind me also passing semi, sudden loss of power, almost hit from behind, risk of on-coming traffic, able to move to right behind semi. Feeble response to any attempt to accelerate, barely limping along, moved to right shoulder and then to pullout, blinking check engine light, no other warning indicators. Idled engine for several minutes, continued to run rough, would not rev, check engine light cycled off, then back on (blinking), then off over…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11495022 · 2022-11-27 (November 27, 2022)
I have a 2021 RDX. Was on the interstate moving at about 70 MPH coming back from Missouri. Raining. Lots of semis creating huge following misty, hard to see rain. Decided to accelerate to pass a couple. Car nearly stalled and acted like it had lost a cylinder's worth of power. Turned on hazards, slowed, pulled over and lifted the hood hearing all kinds of unusual noises. Shut the car off and restarted. All was well. Turned all lane-keeping, etc. off including cruise. Drove the last 100 miles or so without incident. Called dealer and was told li…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11495022 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421931 · 2021-06-22 (June 22, 2021)
Brand new 2021 RDX - bought 3 days ago, only 128 miles. Driving on highway and it suddenly loses power. Was able to get to shoulder, but unable to get enough power to exit the highway to find a safer place to park. Check engine light and several transmission warnings indicating I should see dealer immediately. As vehicle came close to a stop, it shuddered and clunked so badly it seemed like I ran something over, but nothing was there. Tried to shut vehicle down and restart, but constant error messages and would only lurch a little. Had to have …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421931 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11532587 · 2023-07-16 (July 16, 2023)
Since buying this car I’ve had a few occasions where the car has not slowed down and feels like the transmission is pushing the car more than it should under hard breaking.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11532587 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478200 · 2022-08-08 (August 8, 2022)
All software systems failed, disabling the vehicle. Error messages included failure in braking, steering, and other vital systems. Acura roadside assistance determined that the car had to be towed to the nearest dealer. The dealer confirmed the issue was a "DTC P061B PCM internal malfunction" and performed a "PGM-FI software update to correct the issue." The vehicle was completely disabled, and we were 4 1/2 hours from the nearest dealership. There were no warnings or communications prior to the incident.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11478200 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11659951 · 2025-05-09 (May 9, 2025)
It was raining and I was sat at a stop light. The brakes started to slip a little no matter how much I pressed then all of a sudden the entire car started shutting down. Engine, Transmission, Power Steering, Lane Keep Assist, Collision warning, all the lights started flashing. The car was put into Limp mode.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11659951 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11737515 · 2026-05-13 (May 13, 2026)
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 depar…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11737515 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11743690 · 2026-06-12 (June 12, 2026)
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 w…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11743690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11758394 · 2026-08-20 (August 20, 2026)
Fuel Pump is having to be replaced. I have had issues accelerating and my car also stalled once on the freeway. It put me in a dangerous situation and I almost got in an accident because my speed quickly decreased. The same part was recalled on the previous year’s model.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11758394 at NHTSA ↗