Acura RDX Airbag Problems

Owners have filed 232 complaints about air bags problems with the Acura RDX — 11% of all RDX complaints. The worst model years are 2014 (41), 2013 (36) and 2015 (33). Problems typically start around 57,000 miles. 5 related recalls have been issued.

232complaints
2014worst year
57ktypical miles
5related recalls
19crashes
0fires

Airbag complaints by model year

’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25222010131063641332431261121
Airbag complaints per model year, Acura RDX.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
202418%28,000 miles
202226%25,000 miles
2021119%—
202062%1,000 miles
2019123%1,000 miles
201834%89,000 miles
201745%155,000 miles
201625%21,000 miles
2015338%19,000 miles
20144117%20,000 miles
20133622%67,000 miles
2012640%42,000 miles
20111063%40,000 miles
20101359%42,000 miles
20091067%—
20082061%97,000 miles
20072242%117,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
    1
  • Sensor › Occupant classification
    1
  • Knee bolster
    1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    1737%
  • 25k–50k
    1022%
  • 50k–75k
    49%
  • 75k–100k
    817%
  • 100k–150k
    613%
  • 150k+
    12%

What owners report

Approximately on 2/10/2024 shortly after i added my 2021 Acura to my auto policy my insurance co. GEICO notified me about the open recall. Nobody else has notified me on the open recall. I just purchased the vehicle on [redacted] from Autonation Acura In Torrance California. The recall notice Says "there is no remedy availableI" i purchased this beautiful CPO vehicle and I put $20,000 cash ( debit card) as a down payment and I had to pay additional costs for the extended 9 yr. warranty. I financed the rest. The vehicle price was $31.000 with 20.000 miles on it. The total costs $44.000. I haven't even made my first payment yet which is due february 20, 2024. My interest rate is high 8.99 is the rate and I have excellent credit. I've only put 20 miles or less on the car since I bought it. My auto Insurance Company now recommended that I do not drive it. …

2021 RDX · Feb 2024

This is my second complaint to NHTSA. I purchased my certified pre owned Acura on 01/06/2024 After I added my Acura to my Car Insurance. They notified me and told me that there is an open Recall Associated with my vin number. That recall is for a (seat weight sensor) RECALL # 24v-064000 RECALL DATE 02/01/24 -- REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE. I filed a complaint with NHTSA ID# 11572570. After I filed my first complaint I found another unrepaired recall for my vin number Recall date 02/12/2021 NHTSA # 21v93900 For the power train drive shaft I'm not sure exactly what happened with this specific recall. I also wanted to add to my complaint that since my vehicle is a certified pre owend. I never received a complete inspection report indicating all the components inspected prior to selling me the vehicle. Now that I'm searching through all my paperwork. I also am hesitant with the interest rate. …

2021 RDX · Jan 2024

upon entering the cross driveway at a mall parking lot, car suddenly veered right, accelerating & unresponsive to stepping on brakes pedal, steering wheel locked, gear buttons did not respond, seat belts tightened, but air bags DID NOT deploy. Speed was slowed when car ran over a large rock and crashed into the wall of small store front. I, the driver, have not been in any accidents, had not taken any medication of any sort.

2020 RDX · Apr 2023 · crash

My wife weighs about 125 pounds. When she sits in the front passenger seat of this car, often (but not always) an indicator will light up on the dashboard, saying "Passenger Air Bag OFF." Even if she shifts around in the seat or bounces up and down, the indicator light will stay on. I have taken the car to my local Acura dealer twice, asking that this problem be diagnosed and fixed. The first time their service technician reported "No issues at this time. Unable to duplicate concern at this time." The second time (today), the technician reported that he had "checked system for codes, no codes in system. Light will go on and off if passenger moves around in seat." I remain quite concerned that this un-repaired problem is a significant safety issue, as the indicator light appears to be saying that the airbag won't deploy in a collision.

2020 RDX · Aug 2024

My 2019 Acura was involved in a front end collision which resulted in the car being deemed a total loss. Not one of the airbags deployed at any point during the collision, despite hitting head on. The collision resulted in me having severe neck and shoulder pain and stiffness as well as my foot and arm. There was no warning indicators on the dash prior to the collision. The car did however contact emergency services and was able to give the coordinates of the crash. I have searched for recalls on the 2019 Acura and none of which identify the airbags being faulty.

2019 RDX · Feb 2024 · crash · 2 injuries

The contact owns a 2019 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger's side air bag off light remained illuminated with a passenger seated in the seat. After restarting the vehicle, the failure would be self-corrected. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the passenger's side air bag sensor, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was concerned that in a crash the passenger's side air bag would not deploy as needed. The failure mileage was 8,000.

2019 RDX · 8,000 miles · Sep 2019

I had minor accident on [redacted] in my 2018 Acura RDX. The front crash sensor was damaged, so the car cannot be returned to me without a new one because the air bags and other safety equipment will not deploy in front crash. The repair shop ordered the part (no. 77930-TX4-A11) from Acura on 5/28, along with other parts needed. Acura's delivery date for this part has changed from 6/24, to 7/2, to 7/11, and 7/18. However, my Acura dealer indicates they've had this part on order since April, and Acura has provided no estimated delivery date. I filed a claim directly with Acura a week ago (case no. [redacted]), demanding that they provide me with a comparable vehicle until they can provide this part, and no one has even returned my calls. …

2018 RDX · May 2024 · crash

The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the driver's side air bag needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

2018 RDX · 89,000 miles · Feb 2026

Related recalls (5)

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

NHTSA recall 26V-332 · May 21, 2026 · 98,892 vehicles

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…

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.

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger

NHTSA recall 24V-064 · Feb 1, 2024 · 750,114 vehicles

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…

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-500 · Jun 27, 2019 · 1,558 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-182 · Mar 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 16V-061 · Feb 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 vehicles

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 investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open

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.

Frequently asked questions

Which Acura RDX years have airbag problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (41), 2013 (36), 2015 (33), 2007 (22) and 2008 (20) model years. Airbag complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2014.

Is there a recall for Acura RDX airbag problems?

Yes — 5 recalls, including 26V-332 (front passenger, May 21, 2026); 24V-064 (front passenger, Feb 1, 2024); 19V-500 (inflator module, Jun 27, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Acura RDX airbag problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles; 59% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the sensor › occupant classification › front passenger (1 mentions), followed by the sensor › occupant classification (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.