Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% | 0 miles |
| 2024 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2023 | 4 | 17% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% | 1,000 miles |
| 2021 | 23 | 20% | — |
| 2020 | 57 | 16% | 6,000 miles |
| 2019 | 91 | 21% | 8,000 miles |
| 2018 | 11 | 14% | 35,000 miles |
| 2017 | 11 | 14% | 22,000 miles |
| 2016 | 7 | 17% | 40,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% | 120,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% | 98,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 13% | 18,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2010 | 3 | 14% | 67,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 6% | 80,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 9% | 147,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Highlight: The car was able to be started with a button press and driven away without any key inside the car. (Also, some side information that the car had it's annual check-up on the Saturday before this incident). Normally my wife keeps her purse in the house on the counter (along with the spare key in a drawer under that counter). Previously, if she forgot her purse (and car keys inside the purse), she would head out to the garage and attempt to start the car (she keeps it unlocked in the garage). In a normal situation, the car would beep at her that she didn't have the key and she would go into the house to grab her purse. On 7/31, after a frazzling day, she got a call from her doctor to come to their office for a checkup (40 minutes away). She forgot her purse again; however, this time, the car started without any warning. …
On October 31, 2024, I was nearing the end of a three hour trip. I was traveling on a rural two-lane highway with a 55 mph speed limit. I had just pulled away from a 4-way stop intersection and was following a single vehicle traveling 40 mph. Once I could see there was a safe distance from oncoming traffic, I decided to pass the slower vehicle. As I moved into the opposite lane and accelerated, the engine lost power and barely made it around the car I was passing. If oncoming traffic had been closer there could have been a head-on collision. The engine light started flashing and I had to keep the accelerator pressed half way to the floor to maintain 50 mph. There was no shoulder on the road and no place to pull over, so I continued for 15 minutes with engine light blinking and struggling to maintain 50 mph. No other warning lights came on and the engine was not overheating. …
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. …
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.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH in inclement weather, moisture entered the turbocharger, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over, restarted the vehicle, and drove to a local dealer. A technician confirmed that the failure was caused by moisture entering the turbocharger and referenced an unknown Technical Service Bulletin associated with the repair for the vehicle. The dealer stated that the vehicle was safe to operate. There were no further issues with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine started shuddering and vibrating, and the vehicle stalled. The message that the engine was overheating was displayed. The vehicle was driven to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the head gasket had failed. The contact was later informed that the bolts on the turbocharger also failed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Acura RDX. The contact stated that upon exiting a highway and coming to a stop light, the vehicle would not accelerate above 25 MPH without warning. The contact was able to reach his destination and after explaining the failure to a friend; he was informed that his vehicle had gone into limp mode. Upon restart of the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal driving operation. The contact hooked up his vehicle to a scanner and no fault codes were found. The contact then called the manufacturer where he was informed that this failure was a known issue and that he would have to take the vehicle to the dealer three times after experiencing each failure. The contact was not informed as to what would happen after the third visit to the dealer. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where it had yet to be diagnosed and remained in their possession. …
The contact owns a 2019 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to move or shift into neutral(N). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V215000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura RDX years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (91), 2020 (57), 2021 (23), 2017 (11) and 2018 (11) model years. Engine complaints make up 21% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Acura RDX engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles; 85% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cooling system (2 mentions), followed by the engine (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.