2016 Acura Rdx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (6) · Electrical System (6) · Service Brakes (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Acura Rdx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
26 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2019-03-06 · campaign 19V182000 · 1,101,534 vehicles
Defect: 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 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-03 · campaign 16V061000 · 2,232,187 vehicles
Defect: 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. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
Service bulletins (157)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Air Bags 2026-02-28 · B18-021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin - warranty extension: customer support program for driver's airbag inflator for 2016 ilx and 2016 rdx.
Equipment 2022-05-02 · BPO05022022901 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message - american honda is investigating a potential quality concern with rdx accessory cross bar kit. due to this investigation, american honda is requesting all dealers to return any uninstalled inventory to american honda for investigation and validation by the supplier.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:crank/Camshaft Position Sensor 2022-04-13 · BTI&04132022901 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message - american honda motor co., inc. (ahm) is searching for certain 2016-2020 mdxs, rdxs & tlxs with a client complaint of the malfunction indicator light (mil) on with the dtc p030x (cylinder misfire detected), p0171 & p0174 (rear/front bank fuel system too lean), or p219a&b (air-fuel ra
Fuel System, Gasoline 2022-03-28 · BTI&03282022903 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message - american honda motor co., inc. (ahm) is searching for certain 2016-2020 mdxs, rdxs & tlxs with a client complaint of the malfunction indicator light (mil) on with the dtc p030x (cylinder misfire detected), p0171 & p0174 (rear/front bank fuel system too lean), or p219a&b (air-fuel ra
Fuel System, Gasoline 2022-03-11 · BTI&03112022904 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message - american honda motor co., inc. (ahm) is searching for certain 2016-2020 mdxs, rdxs & tlxs with a client complaint of the malfunction indicator light (mil) on with the dtc p030x (cylinder misfire detected), p0171 & p0174 (rear/front bank fuel system too lean), or p219a&b (air-fuel ra
Fuel System, Gasoline 2022-02-22 · BTI&02222022902 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message - american honda motor co., inc. (ahm) is searching for certain 2016-2020 mdxs, rdxs & tlxs with a client complaint of the malfunction indicator light (mil) on with the dtc p030x (cylinder misfire detected), p0171 & p0174 (rear/front bank fuel system too lean), or p219a&b (air-fuel ra
Showing the 6 most recent of 157 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-26 · Lane Departure: Warning“unknown lkas sytem lights came on and will not go out. all of them. 3 weeks ago everything locked up and i had to take to a dealer, they replaced the alternator but the system still malfuctioning and now the emissions control lights stay on with a p0443 code, replaced the evap control valve and the light keeps coming on..…”
2026-06-16 · Steering“on may 25, 2026, while driving my 2016 acura rdx awd on the interstate at highway speed, it suddenly began running rough and felt as if i was driving over low, spaced-out speed bumps. the check engine light started flashing, and multiple safety-system warnings appeared, including awd system problem, vehicle stability assist (vsa) problem, hill star…”
2026-05-11 · Electrical System“on several occasions, the car alarm starts randomly sounding. when my son went to the vehicle, the lights on the dash board were flashing on and off and there was a clicking sound. we replaced the batteries in the key fobs. the battery was low so we had that recharged but the problem continued. we replaced the car battery and that appeared to solve…”
2025-09-19 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“the driver side airbag. and yes, it can be inspected. i was involved in a low impact accident, where i struck a minor curb. the airbag deployed in my face, causing a loss of consciousness and ongoing concussion. no warning signs at all. not yet, the vehicle is being looked at on monday. the vehicle was inspected by the police. …”
2025-05-29 · Suspension“the contact owns a 2016 acura rdx. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle while turning to the left or the right. the contact stated that the steering wheel failed to function as intended. there were no warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diag…”
2025-01-16 · Suspension · 55,495 mi“the contact owns a 2016 acura rdx. the contact stated that while his wife was driving 25 mph, there was a loud clicking sound coming from underneath the vehicle on the front passenger side of the vehicle. no warning lights were illuminated. the contact’s wife took the vehicle to the local independent mechanic to be diagnosed. the contact was inform…”
2025-01-09 · Power Train“a judder from the torque converter is felt when driving between 20 and 60 mph …”
2024-12-23 · Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness“please see attached photos regarding unsafe issue with our britax 1 for life clicktight carseat purchased 2021 and utilized from the end of 2021 to dec. 2024. the harness strap would not tighten with ease, so i tugged with light force and the bolts that held the button to loosen the harness popped out. the harness then would not tighten at all. we …”
2023-11-22 · Visibility:rear Window Wiper/Washer:motor · 100,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owns a 2016 acura rdx. the contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph a deer had jumped in front of his vehicle. the contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal with force, however, the pedal did not respond and depressed to the floorboard with no resistance. the contact stated that he was pumping the brake pedal when he cra…”
2023-07-20 · Power Train“while driving in the left of i20 east's two lanes on a descending hill with 5 cars ahead and an unknown number of cars behind at 70+ mph and all cars packed in close to the car ahead, i saw the lane had no real shoulder before a drop-off and the right lane had a narrow shoulder before it dropped off into woods and brush. the right lane was packed w…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.