2021 Acura RDX Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Acura RDX.

20202022
Complaints
144
per 10K Sold
25.3
US Sales
57,013
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2021 Acura RDX Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#118 complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:2
#213 complaints

Brakes

Crash-related:1
#311 complaints

Airbags

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Acura RDX.

Engine Problems
18
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
3,100
Wipers & Visibility
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
128,000
Electrical Faults
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Body Control Module/Bcm
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Assist
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Rotor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Fixed Panaramic Roof/Sky Light Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Acura RDX. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 Acura RDX

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~750,393 vehicles.

24V064000Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger
~750,114 affected

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.

21V939000Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
~279 affected

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.

Other Acura RDX Years

2021 Acura RDX — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 Acura RDX reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2021 Acura RDX has 144 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 18 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 Acura RDX?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (18 complaints); Brakes (13 complaints); Airbags (11 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Acura RDX?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 61,876 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 Acura RDX?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Acura RDX include 5 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 Acura RDX have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 750,393 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 Acura RDX?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Acura RDX reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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