Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2021 | 7 | 6% | — |
| 2020 | 19 | 5% | 6,000 miles |
| 2019 | 17 | 4% | 12,000 miles |
| 2018 | 7 | 9% | 1,000 miles |
| 2017 | 8 | 10% | 31,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 0% | 120,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% | 8,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% | 68,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 7% | 18,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% | 30,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% | 61,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 13% | 69,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Drove into parking lot and as I was pulling into the parking spot next to the building, the vehicle started to surge forward as if I had my foot on the gas instead of the brake. The sudden surge caused the vehicle to plow into a brick building causing about $10K damage to the vehicle and $5K to the building. This was not the first time this sudden surging occurred. It happened at least 3 times previously, and one time since. Fortunately, the other occurrences did not lead to any damages, but just some anxious moments. I took the vehicle to the dealership to get checked out after the last occurrence, but they said they couldn't duplicate it. I thought it might be some sort of "unknown" problem, until I started reading on Facebook and other internet websites of other people having the same scary "surging" engine issues. I believe there's more to it now, and an investigation is warranted.
I own a 2021 Acura RDX that was purchased new in February 2021. In the 11,500 miles I have driven it, there have been zero problems until yesterday. However, yesterday, when driving on an Interstate highway at 70 mph, in the rain, while passing a semi truck, my Acura RDX suddenly went into limp mode and the check engine light began flashing. After pulling over to the berm, and driving in the limp mode to the next exit, I turned the engine off. When I turned the engine back on it functioned normally and the check engine light went out. The engine has functioned normally for the approximately 100 miles I have driven since that time. Since there is no problem now, I have not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be checked since I felt that they would find nothing. …
The contact owned a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle inadvertently slowed down and without warning a strange noise came from the engine compartment and a sudden jerk to the wheel when the vehicle accelerated without warning up to approximately 100 mph. The contact was able to exit the highway where the vehicle made another strange noise from the engine compartment and the wheel jerked when the vehicle accelerated without warning again which resulted in the contact crashing into a group of 3 vehicles. There were 2 confirmed injuries which were the occupants of the contact's vehicle the driver and front seat passenger. The contact sustained a broken sternum, internal bleeding, decompression of lower back, and swollen right side foot. The contact's son sustained a lumbar fracture and a contusion. …
On April 18, 2023 driving thru shopping center parking lot, WITHOUT WARNING car suddenly jerked right, accelerated, while brakes, steering wheel, gears locked. Ended crashing thru the wall of a structure. Airbags did NOT deploy but seat belts tightened firmly keeping us from going thru windshield. Episode of "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" was reported to Honda Motors whose agent, Jason, checked the car 8/1/23 and found no defect. We had driven the car for almost 49,000 miles without incident yet, their agent drove it for LESS than 10 miles and concluded NOTHING WRONG with the car. Twelve days later while stopped at a red light, dashboard lights suddenly flashed and engine came to a complete STOP. DEAD. Conclusion was damaged sensor to gas tank since husband had run over tanker truck tire debris on fwy earlier in the day. …
On July 24, 2022, while driving from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois back to our home in Lisle, IL, in a heavy rainstorm, our RDX suddenly started flashing the engine light and lost power on Interstate 57. We were fortunate to be able to maneuver it to the side of the road, and off the nearby ramp at Bradley, IL. We 'googled' the circumstances on our iphone, to learn that this is considered a serious, potentially life-threatening situation, and that Acura recommended immediate Service Bulletin 20-053, dated May 25, 2021, states the symptom as "The MIL is flashing with loss of power." It indicates "Corrective Action" for the RDX as "Update the PGM-FI and replace the intercooler, the intercooler outlet pipe assembly and the intercooler outlet hose." Affected vehicles include "ALL" 2019-2020 RDX models." Despite the Service Bulletin that was issued, many RDX owners, noted the same response from …
While driving in the rain, after an hour long drive home from Philadelphia back to Reading, taking [redacted] and [redacted], I accelerated my vehicle while going around 50 mph and immediately was faced with a blinking check engine light and lost the ability to accelerate. My Acura essentially went into, what others call, limp mode while in sport mode. I filled my car with 93 gas around 20 minutes before this. After losing acceleration, I pulled over on the highway and the check engine light disappeared. After which, I still was unable to accelerate after leaving the car in park. After I turned the car off and turned the car back on maybe 30 seconds later, I was then able to accelerate and found no issues afterwards.
My car lurches when I put it into gear, drive or reverse. When a red light turns green and I put my foot on the accelerator the car will lurch forward. I was in my garage when I started my car and my foot was firmly on the brake as I shifted into reverse with my foot on the brake the car violently lurched backwards.
When I am stopped the vehicle routinely lurches as I touch the gas. I've complained to the dealer about it and they can't reproduce the problem. It does lurch for my husband also. It hasn't caused any injuries or damage, so far.
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura RDX years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (19), 2019 (17), 2017 (8), 2007 (7) and 2018 (7) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Acura RDX acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Acura RDX model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Acura RDX acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles; 83% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the linkages (1 mentions), followed by the accelerator pedal (1).
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.