Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Acura RDX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at night at an undisclosed speed, the headlight bulbs illumination was extremely dim. The contact stated that the brightness of the headlight bulbs was not adequate for driving. The contact stated that after the second replacement of the headlight bulbs, the front passenger's side headlight was dimmer than the driver's side headlight. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed, and the mechanic determined that the daytime running light on the front passenger's side of the vehicle needed to be replaced. The contact stated the headlights had been replaced twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she was responsible for replacing the headlamps out of pocket. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Acura RDX. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the headlights were dim, causing the visibility to become impaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with failed delaminated headlight housings. The contact was informed that the headlight housings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. In addition, the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the low-beam headlights failed to function correctly. The contact replaced the light bulbs, but the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 150,000. The consumer purchased new headlights and stated a tremendous difference.
The contact owns a 2013 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds at night, the low beam headlights were significantly dim, affecting the visibility of the roadway and the side of the roadway. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed but no issues were found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Low beam headlight projector reflectors deteriorate making the low beam headlights unusable for safe driving. Entire assembly has to be replaced to remedy. Extremely common in this generation of Acura RDX based on internet searches.
Exterior Lighting. Low beam headlights/assy. are too dim. Due to the flawed design the reflective film backing material inside the projector lens for the low beam, the headlights delaminates. This is in the projector/reflective and has nothing to do with the bulbs, which have been replaced multiple times. It is so dim that I did run off of the road into a ditch, but due to the low speed, there was no injury or damage. People flash me that the lights are not on, but they are and I have to drive with the high beams on to be able to see the road. Acura may have skated out of recalling this vehicle with the same headlamp assy, but when I get into an accident due to these dim headlights, I will first sue Acura as this is a cut and dry case of not wanting to pay to replace an obvious safety risk. Reminds me of that movie about the gas tanks exploding. …
There hasn't been a specific incident at this point. I am reporting what appears to be a manufacturing defect with the headlamps on my 2013 Acura RDX. I have owned this car for approximately 9 years and recently (past 6-12 months) noticed having difficulty seeing the road at night. Even worse seeing the road at night when raining. I took this vehicle to my personal mechanic and he suggested that the reflective coating inside the light seems to have dulled or has become corroded. He suggested this should not happen and wondered if Acura was aware of it. I did a brief google search and quickly found I was not the only one who had experienced this issue. I called Acura and opened a case file to see if they were aware or if there was something they could do. Then took to a Acura dealer to have them investigate. …
I purchased this vehicle used last April, 2020. Six months ago, I noticed while driving at the night that it seemed as if my headlights were not on. I even pulled over at one point to see if they WERE! I purchased a commercial lens cleaning kit to see if it helped the illumination. It did not. I purchased new bulbs with a higher lumen rating than the OEM bulbs. No change. I have spoken with a master mechanic and a parts supplier. They could offer no solutions. I have read several blogs that all have the same theme: the Acura RDX models from 2013-2015 all have terrible headlight components that truly compromise driving at night and could very possibly be a significant contribution to an accident. According to Acura, they don't regard this issue as a problem they should address and the dealers want a small fortune to replace the entire headlight assembly. …
The low beam lamps have become very dim. I replaced with new lamps, but no improvement. After having the bulbs replaced and outside lamp assembly polished I discovered the projector lens itself that the lamps are inserted into have become clouded, similar to having cataracts. On social media I have learned this is a problem shared by many owners. One night after returning home from work I was stopped by a deputy sheriff because he noticed I had my bright lights on too long and that my low beams were too dim. I explained the issue to him and what I was in the process of doing so he let me go. So next day I contacted the dealership and Acura too about this issue. Being denied any satisfaction to remedy the issue I found it necessary to search for and then purchase out of pocket new after market headlight assemblies. The dealership quoted me well over $1,400 to purchase and install. …
The headlight projectors (not the bulbs) clouded and dimmed the lights over time, to the point where it became unsafe to drive at night, and I had to replace the headlight assemblies with new ones. Putting brighter bulbs in the headlight assemblies did not help. There is no warning indicator for this failure, and there is no exact date of the "incident." In fact, it occurred gradually over time, and at first I thought it was my eyes and night driving. My dealer, Criswell Acura of Annapolis MD during a phone call has acknowledged and confirmed this problem with several model year RDX's, and referred me to the national Acura customer service, who said there was nothing that they would do. I have seen in several online forums that this is a common problem among 2013-2016 RDX's.. …
Headlight complaints in other RDX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2013 Acura RDX?
NHTSA has 89 complaints about the lights of the 2013 Acura RDX, 55% of the model year's 162 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Acura RDX headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2013 Acura RDX, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Acura RDX headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.