Most common 2014 Acura RDX problems
Share of the 244 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Acura RDX complaints by model year
Best RDX years: 2011, 2012, 2010. Years to avoid: 2019, 2015, 2020, 2014, 2021. Compare all years →
2014 Acura RDX recalls (3)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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…
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011…
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2014 Acura RDX:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2014 Acura RDX owners say
Lights all 163 →
See attached letter for details. Incident date below reflects the VIN I currently own, when testing identified the safety-related defect. Accident details from previous same model. The same headlamps were the subject of the July 14, 2014 NHTSA Acura ILX Electrical & Lights Recall: 14V323000 on the 2013-2014 Acura ILX model. Yet, Acura continued to use these headlamps and failed to rectify the defect across its model lineup. Instead, the inherently faulty engineering, material, and manufacturing was destined to slowly degrade the reflective surface of the projector cup and lens under the heat output of the low beam halogen bulb that was, by Acura design, the automatic daytime running lights that remain on whenever the engine is running.
The contact owns a 2014 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds at night, the low beam headlights were significantly dimmed, diminishing the visibility of the roadway. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights were activated to safely drive at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the low-beam headlights were replaced, and the lenses were cleaned; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
Air bags all 41 →
My 2014 RDX does not show to have an open recall based on my VIN but I am receiving an airbag warning and the make and model of my vehicle is included in the recall. I called the dealer where I purchased the vehicle and they said they don't have to honor the recall to replace the airbags. When I look up the warning message, my safety could be in jeopardy and this is my only vehicle. Please confirm who to contact or what options I have to pursue this complaint since the dealership confirms they did not perform a replacement of the airbags before I purchased this vehicle and I have never received a notice to replace the airbags in my 2014 RDX.
Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding an unresolved airbag system failure in my Acura vehicle, and the lack of a timely or safe remedy despite the issue being acknowledged and covered under a manufacturer warranty extension. The airbag system in my vehicle was first diagnosed as failed in September 2025 by my local mechanic and shortly thereafter confirmed by an authorized Acura dealership. The defective component (part number 77810TX4-A40ZA) is currently on backorder and has been unavailable for several months. I have been placed on a priority waitlist, but no estimated timeline for repair has been provided. This issue is particularly concerning because it directly affects the vehicle's safety systems. I have effectively been driving a vehicle without functioning airbags since the initial diagnosis. …
Windows, wipers & sunroof
I have 2014 Acura RDX with VIN: [VIN]. I'm facing with headlight issue since many years where my headlight with low beam is very dim and the roads are not visible in the dark. It is a major safety issue and my family was recently almost met with an accident. After the incident, I have changed the bulbs too but it didn't resolve the issue. I have searched online and found that many customers with Acura RDX are facing the same issue. I also checked in recall section but didn't find that except Acrua RLX has the recall for headlight. This is a major safety concern.
my car has 85K miles on it. the headlights are so dim that they might as well not even be on. I have replaced the bulbs, no help. There's no oxidation on the outer lens of the headlight assembly. There's some kind of defect in the inner reflector or lens of the headlight assembly such that the only solution is to replace the entire headlight assembly. The inner reflector / lens has become so oxidized that it is not at all reflective, and very little light is produced by the headlights.
2014 Acura RDX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2014 Acura RDX a good car?
Based on 244 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 RDX rates avoid: 5.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the RDX at the same age. It is one of the RDX years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2014 Acura RDX?
The lights — 163 complaints, 67% of all complaints for this model year, most often about headlights. Next are the air bags (41) and windows, wipers & sunroof (10).
How many recalls does the 2014 Acura RDX have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2014 Acura RDX, the most recent from December 18, 2023 (fuel pump). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Acura RDX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2012 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2015, 2020, 2014 and 2021. See the full Acura RDX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2014 Acura RDX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 43% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.