Collision Avoidance complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70-75 MPH, the steering wheel was pulling to the right, and the vehicle unintendedly attempted to switch lanes. The contact swerved to avoid another vehicle. Several unknown lights were illuminated. The Lane Departure/Lane Keep Assist feature was previously turned off by the owner. While driving around a curve, the vehicle began to change lanes unintendedly. The vehicle continued to pull in the opposite direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but it was unclear if the vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The Smart App indicated that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V582000 (Steering). The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the tires were rotated, but the recall was not completed. The failure mileage was approximately 6,800.
The contact owns a 2025 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 MPH and exiting the interstate, the power steering became inoperable. The steering wheel was difficult to turn. The power steering, low brake speed, and Lane Keep Assist warning lights were illuminated. The message "Do Not Drive Vehicle - See Dealer" was displayed. The driver pulled over safely. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact continued driving. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure; because there were no warning lights illuminated upon arrival. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
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.
5 different occasions where the car enabled the emergency braking system for collision when there were no possibility of collision. This has occurred twice on the freeway, where all of a sudden, the vehicle slams down on the break, coming to a screeching halt. No vehicle or other object in front, side or back of vehicle that should cause this. The other instances happened on city roads and similar to the freeway instances. Hard braking for no reason, jolting me and passengers forward and causing vehicles behind me to not understand why we stopped randly and took so long to get going forward again as the emergency system doesn't have a quick override.
On 3 separate occasions my Collision mitigation braking system has malfunctioned. The first time I was driving at 55 with my cruise control set with no cars in front, behind or beside me when, without warning or reason, the orange brake light abruptly flashed on my front dash panel and my car abruptly stopped in a whiplash manner. The second occasion I was driving on the interstate at 65, on this particular interstate, the 64, it splits to the right to a separate interstate, the 264, and cars wait until the last minute to go 3 lanes of traffic over to get off. My car again without warning or reason flashed the orange brake sign on my front dash panel and my car abruptly stopped. Thankfully the cars rushing over did not hit me but there were honks and swerves and I could have been hit or caused an accident. …
Purchased my 2021 in November of 2020. Two weeks after, i was driving with adaptive cruise on at 65 mph on a freeway. 100 yds ahead i could see a diesel going slower than i, so i looked and saw no one coming at all, so i moved over to the passing lane. I got 5 feet into the lane and the car slammed on its brakes, on its own!!! Thank god no one was behind me or i might have died!! I reported this to Acura within 1 week, and then reported it to DOT the next week. I own one of the first 2021 s made, so i didn't see a lot of feedback. Now after a year and a half i get on the DOT website and see many complaints like mine. This has happens to me maybe once every 3 weeks. Why has the DOT done nothing about this??!!! Also the DOT says there are no recalls on my car but if you go to the Acura website it says my car is under recall for a driveshaft problem, of which i never received a notice. …
The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the brakes were unintendedly activated. Additionally, the contact observed an orange warning light which stated "Brakes" illuminated and then went off. The vehicle was taken to a dealer twice however, the dealer was unable to replicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
The car was just purchased Turning left going about 5 to 10mph in a 25 mph zone it hit the brakes. Then about 100 yrds later at a stop light, the car was turning left with traffic going onto a 45mph road. It slammed on the brakes, saying "brake", on the Display, causing whiplash, and almost a major accident. After calling Acura, they mentioned these driver assistance systems were tied into cruise control. When the car was tested on the highway a couple days before and used cruise control, the collision and another warning system were faulty. It said "sensor is covered or..." I do not remember the 2nd part. They specifically said if these systems are problematic with warning lights, you should not use cruise control. These cars should not be on the road. No shortage of people complaining about this online.
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura RDX years have collision avoidance problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2025 (17), 2018 (7), 2021 (7), 2017 (6) and 2020 (6) model years. Collision Avoidance complaints make up 57% of all complaints for the 2025.
Is there a recall for Acura RDX collision avoidance problems?
No. NHTSA lists no driver assistance 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 collision avoidance problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 9,000 miles; 100% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic emergency braking (23 mentions), followed by the assist (15).
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.