2020 Acura RDX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
344 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
6,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 83 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 102 of 344 complaints (29.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 30 | 8.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 4.7% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 2.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 2.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 1.2% |
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 | 102 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 83 |
| Engine | 53 |
| Electrical System | 26 |
| Structure:Body | 26 |
| Service Brakes | 22 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 21 |
| Power Train | 21 |
Unknown Or Other: 102; Visibility/Wiper: 83; Engine: 53; Electrical System: 26; Structure:Body: 26; Service Brakes: 22; Fuel/Propulsion System: 21; Power Train: 21
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 62 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 62; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (62). 261 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 47 |
| 2021 | 27 |
| 2022 | 32 |
| 2023 | 33 |
| 2024 | 82 |
| 2025 | 71 |
| 2026 | 48 |
2019: 4; 2020: 47; 2021: 27; 2022: 32; 2023: 33; 2024: 82; 2025: 71; 2026: 48
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 13 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11268890 · 2019-10-16 (October 16, 2019)
BRAKES WERE MAKING A SCRAPING NOISE WHEN APPLIED. VEHICLE HAD 2,679 MILES. TOOK IT TO FOUNTAIN ACURA IN ORLANDO FOR INSPECTION. DEALER REPLACED PADS AND ROTORS ON FRONT NO CHARGE. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBLE MATERIAL DEFECT AT THE FACTORY.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,679 miles reported. Look up ODI 11268890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11277312 · 2019-10-31 (October 31, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 ACURA RDX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PASSING A VEHICLE ACCELERATING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND SLOWED DOWN TO ONLY 10 MPH. WHEN THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT OPERATED NORMALLY AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN HOME. THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY ON AN EARLIER MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH ACURA OF AUGUSTA (1760 GORDON HWY, AUGUSTA, GA 30904, [phone removed]). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11277312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11282791 · 2019-11-28 (November 28, 2019)
FROM THE DAY I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY 2020 RDX ADVANCE IN AUGUST, I'VE BEEN COMPLETELY CRAZY ABOUT IT. NOW, HOWEVER, I'M FEELING SAD AND DISILLUSIONED, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I DON'T FEEL 100% SAFE DRIVING IT. RECENTLY, AFTER SPENDING A FEW WEEKS IN GEORGIA, WE WERE DRIVING BACK HOME TO NORTHERN VIRGINIA ON I-85N IN NORTH CAROLINA. IT WAS AND HAD BEEN RAINING STEADILY THE ENTIRE TRIP. THERE WAS MODERATE/HEAVY TRAFFIC MOVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60-75/80 MPH. SOMEWHERE JUST SOUTH OF CHARLOTTE, THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED SLOWING DOWN, EVEN THOUGH I WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11282791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11290869 · 2019-12-23 (December 23, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR AWHILE, THE BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE CONTACT DRIVING IN A WET ENVIRONMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER DUE TO THE SOUNDS COMING FROM THE ROTORS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECORDED THE SQUEAKING SOUND AND PLA…
Owner-reported narrative. 780 miles reported. Look up ODI 11290869 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11296882 · 2020-01-03 (January 3, 2020)
POWER LIFT GATE MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN OPENING HTTPS://ACURAZINE.COM/FORUMS/3G-RDX-PROBLEMS-FIXES-458/POWER-LIFTGATE-MAKES-POPPING-NOISE-WHEN-OPENING-983782/
Owner-reported narrative. 35 miles reported. Look up ODI 11296882 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11297708 · 2020-01-07 (January 7, 2020)
ON OCT 31 2019 WE PURCHASED THE 2020 RDX ADVANCE AND THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT OFF HAS BEEN SPORADICALLY STAYING ON WHEN MY WIFE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHICH INDICATES THE AIRBAG IS NOT ARMED ON THAT SIDE. LUCKILY WE HAVE BEEN TAKING PHOTOS OF THE SWITCH COMING ON WITH HER SITTING IN THE SEAT. THEY SAY ITS A WEIGHT ISSUE WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE. IF YOU TURN THE CAR OFF THE AIRBAG LIGHT RESETS TO OFF WHEN SHE IS SITTING IN THE CAR. IF THE CAR IS RUNNING AND YOU PICK UP A PASSENGER THE AIRBAG LIGHT DOES NOT TURNOFF. DEALE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11297708 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11297905 · 2020-01-08 (January 8, 2020)
WE HAVE A 2-MONTH OLD 2020 ACURA RDX. WE PURCHASED THE CAR ON OCTOBER 21ST, 2019. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 1,500 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME. WE WERE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR. WE WERE ON A 4-LANE ROAD. AS WE APPROACHED A RAILROAD CROSSING, OUR CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT AND FORCEFUL HALT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE RAILROAD TRACKS ARE NOT ROUGH AND WE HAD NOT APPLIED THE BRAKES AT ALL. THE LIGHTS WERE NOT FLASHING AND THERE ARE NO GATES AT THIS RAILROAD CROSSING. WE WERE SHOCKED AS THIS WAS COMPLETELY UNEXPEC…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11297905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11301394 · 2020-01-23 (January 23, 2020)
ON OCTOBER 30, 2020 I LEASED A 2020 ACURA RDX (AWD TECH) FROM SPRINGFIELD ACURA, 243 ROUTE 22 E, SPRINGFIELD, NJ 07081. ON NOVEMBER 11, 2019, I BOUGHT THE CAR BACK TO SPRINGFIELD ACURA. I WAS HEARING A SCRAPING, CRUNCHING NOISE FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND DISCOVERED THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND MADE NECESSARY REPAIRS (A COPY OF SERVICE REPORT IS ATTACHED). A FEW DAYS LATER THE NOISE RETURNED AND AGAIN I BOUGHT THE CAR TO SPRINGFIELD ACURA ON JANUARY 6, 2020.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11301394 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V215000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2021-03-25 (March 25, 2021)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V158000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 2023-03-09 (March 9, 2023)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.
Consequence: An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are NDA, QDB, BDC, MDD, LD9. TDF, FDG, ODH, YDI, ZDE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2023-12-18 (December 18, 2023)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V064000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2024-02-01 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V332000 · Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
Reported: 2026-05-21 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗