Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | 47% | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 25% | 28,000 miles |
| 2023 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% | 25,000 miles |
| 2021 | 16 | 14% | 0 miles |
| 2020 | 23 | 7% | 2,000 miles |
| 2019 | 23 | 5% | 17,000 miles |
| 2018 | 4 | 5% | 10,000 miles |
| 2017 | 11 | 14% | 9,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 15% | 28,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 2% | 15,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 2% | 3,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% | 30,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 13% | 79,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% | 15,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 9% | 29,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
When slowing as I exited freeway the steering locked up and forced me into right lane. There were lots of warning lights, STOP when safe, steering assist problem, brake system problem, low speed braking problem. I had no power steering but was able to get car into a parking lot. I turned the car off and back on. The warning message said it was a brake system problem and to see dealer. Acura Link showed it was a CMBS problem. After turning the car off and on a couple more times the warnings went away and I was able to drive car to dealership. There were no warnings prior to steering lockup. Dealer told me it was a power steering malfunction. The vehicle is available for inspection at the dealership in Fresno, CA. This happened on [redacted]. Parts have been ordered but not expected to arrive until Monday, Jul 7th, 2025. …
Started vehicle in the morning and had driven about 5 miles. LKAS, Adaptive Cruise Control and all other collision avoidance systems turned on. ACC Speed set, but disengaged due to prior braking for the curve. Weather overcast but dry. While turning left around a sweeping curve at about 40mph the vehicle suddenly started emergency braking and trying to turn right into the guardrail on the side of the road. Major force required to keep vehicle in the lane and under control. Power steering went out. Collision braking warning, Power steering warning, LKAS warning, Road departure mitigation warning, Low speed braking control problem, also power steering icon glowed orange, safety system icon glowed orange, Lane keeping icon glowed orange, Brake system icon glowed orange. No place to pull off, continued several miles to a parking lot. Took photos of dash warnings (provided to dealer). …
The contact owns a 2024 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop and crashed into the rear driver's side of another vehicle. During the crash, the braking system malfunctioned, and the air bag failed to deploy as needed. The contact sustained an injury to the back but had not yet sought medical assistance. The driver of the second was transported to the hospital with a shoulder injury. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000.
The contact leased a 2024 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pumped the brake pedal, and the brake pedal responded as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. The contact stated while pulling out of a parking lot and depressing the brake pedal, the failure recurred. The contact pumped the brake pedal several times; however, the failure persisted, nearly causing a crash. The contact stated that upon engaging the electric parking brake, the vehicle stopped as needed. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the dealer informed the contact that the failure could not be duplicated. …
The contact owns a 2022 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds on the highway, there was an abnormal screeching sound coming from the rear end of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact parked and inspected the vehicle and became aware that the rear passenger's side rotor was scratched. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there was no cause for the issue found. However, the contact was made aware that the brake pads on the rear passenger's side were metal to metal. The contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
Automatic braking system came on when the vehicle sensed another vehicle. As the breaking system turned on, the steering wheel locked and did not allow for the driver to steer in order to not avoid a collision. This happened in the streets. It is currently under investigation with insurance. The vehicle had applied the emergency breaks system a few days before, in the highway, while the driver already had the foot on the break and the steering wheel had locked, preventing the driver to change lanes. No collision on this day.
While sitting in a long row of stopped vehicles at a traffic light for an extended amount of time due to an accident I had the Automatic Brake Hold feature activated { I did not have to have my foot on the brake while sitting still) as well as the Auto Idle Stop OFF button meaning {the engine shuts down when you come to a stop.} Apparently, the Brake Hold feature timed out with no warning whatsoever and because the vehicle moved forward the Auto Start Stop feature activated at the same time and the vehicle lurched forward rear ending a new expensive SUV in front of me. The impact was hard due to the quick lurch of my vehicle. I have damage to the front of my vehicle and all of the electronic features started flashing including the emission control. …
While driving on a freeway for about 15 minutes at 65 MPH, the MIL indicator started blinking. The vehicle began to rapidly shake, while the engine power decreased significantly. The engine dramatically went from 65 mph to 35 mph causing a safety hazard while driving on the freeway as we attempted to exit and pull over safely. The vehicle is a 2021 Acura RDX and is driven approximately 10,000 miles per year. All maintenance has been performed in accordance with the manufacturer's schedule. It has not been involved in any collisions or other user risk other than normal driving in accordance with the approved use of the vehicles. Upon trying to restart the vehicle, the vehicle continues to violently shake while in park. Notification lights indicating Brake Failure, AWD failure, Check Emissions System, etc. …
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Honda (America Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Civic, Acura RDX, Acura Integra, and 2022 Honda Accord vehicles. A ball valve in the vehicle stability assist (VSA) modulator may leak brake fluid, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the brake hold feature is engaged or an unexpected increase in brake…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the VSA modulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura RDX years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (23), 2020 (23), 2021 (16), 2025 (14) and 2017 (11) model years. Brake complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Acura RDX brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 23V-430 (control unit/module, Jun 15, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Acura RDX brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles; 95% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › disc › rotor (2 mentions), followed by the disc › rotor (2).
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.