CarBrief

The 2013 Acura RDX has 162 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1], and owners write about dim headlights more than anything else[2]. It also has 3 recalls, including two for driver air bag inflators[3][4][5].

162owner complaints[1]
3recalls[6]
22–23MPG combined (EPA)[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 162 complaints for this model year[1]. Six mention a crash, 2 a fire and 4 an injury[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Exterior lighting. This is the biggest group, with 89 complaints[2]. The median mileage at failure is 102,000[2]. In the 12 complaints we read, 11 describe headlights that are too dim at night[2]. Owners say new bulbs did not fix it[2].

Air bags. There are 36 complaints[8]. In the sample of 12 we read, all 12 are about owners who got an air bag recall notice and were waiting for the repair part[8]. Most of those that mention it say the owner had not had a failure[8]. (Or delete the sentence.)

Visibility and wipers. There are 8 complaints[9]. In a sample of 8, 4 describe dim headlights and 2 describe the glass moonroof shattering suddenly[9].

Power train. There are 7 complaints, with a median mileage of 25,950[10]. In the sample of 6 we read, 4 describe jerking, hesitation or vibration when accelerating[10]. One describes the car rolling away after being put in park[10]. The owner referred to the gear selector recall below[10][5].

Smaller groups. Electrical system has 7 complaints[11], suspension has 6[12], seats have 3[13] and 6 name an unknown or other group[14]. Those counts are small, so we do not call them common problems.

Recalls

Three recalls are on file for this model year[6]. Newest first:

The three recalls on file do not involve headlights[3][4][5].

Fuel economy

Both versions use a 3.5L 6-cylinder, an Automatic (S6) and premium fuel[7][15].

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
2WD (front-wheel drive)[7] 20 28 23 $3,550
4WD (all-wheel drive)[15] 19 27 22 $3,750

EPA fuel costs use EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[7][15].

Safety ratings

NHTSA 5-star ratings are not available for this model year, for either the 4WD or the front-wheel drive version[16][17].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list shows 273 hp for the 3.5L 6-cylinder[18].

These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications for the RDX 4DR SUV AWD/TECH PACKAGE, converted to US units[19]. They can differ slightly from US models.

Measurement Value
Length[19] 183 in
Width[19] 74 in
Wheelbase[19] 106 in
Curb weight[19] 3,871 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

2007: 53 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 33 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 15 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 22 complaints, 2 recalls2011: 16 complaints, 2 recalls20112012: 15 complaints, 2 recalls2013: 162 complaints, 3 recalls16220132014: 244 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 415 complaints, 3 recalls20152016: 41 complaints, 2 recalls2017: 79 complaints, 1 recalls20172018: 77 complaints, 1 recalls2019: 440 complaints, 5 recalls20192020: 348 complaints, 5 recalls2021: 116 complaints, 3 recalls20212022: 31 complaints, 2 recalls2023: 24 complaints, 2 recalls20232024: 12 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 30 complaints, 1 recalls20252026: 1 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each RDX model year. The 2013 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2007532
2008333
2009152
2010222
2011162
2012152
20131623
20142443
20154153
2016412
2017791
2018771
20194405
20203485
20211163
2022312
2023242
2024122
2025301
202610

With 162 complaints, 2013 ranks fifth among the 20 RDX model years listed[6]. Four years have more: 2019 with 440, 2015 with 415, 2020 with 348 and 2014 with 244[6]. The years before it are much lower. 2012 has 15 complaints and 2011 has 16[6].

For recalls, 2013 has 3[6]. 2019 and 2020 have 5 each[6]. Several other years have 2 or 3[6]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so use them only to compare RDX years with each other.

Should you buy a used 2013 RDX?

The clearest pattern in the complaints is dim headlights, so drive one at night before you buy[2]. Ask the seller for proof that all three recalls were done, Ask the seller for proof that all three recalls were done[3][4][5].. Owners in our samples describe jerky acceleration in a few cases, so pay attention to how it shifts on a test drive[10]. The complaint counts are unverified and the samples are small, so treat them as things to check, not as a verdict. Missing crash ratings mean you cannot use stars to compare it with other SUVs[16][17].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Acura RDX?
Exterior lighting has the most NHTSA complaints at 89 of 162, and the complaints we read describe dim headlights[1][2]. Air bags follow with 36 complaints[8].
Does the 2013 Acura RDX have any recalls?
Yes. Three are on file: two for driver air bag inflators (19V182 and 16V061) and one for the gear selector (13V143)[3][4][5].
What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Acura RDX?
EPA rates the 2WD at 20 city, 28 highway and 23 combined mpg[7]. The 4WD gets 19, 27 and 22 mpg[15].
How much horsepower does the 2013 Acura RDX have?
The EPA test car list rates the 3.5L 6-cylinder at 273 hp[18].
Is 2013 a bad year for the Acura RDX?
It has more complaints than most early years, 162 against 15 for 2012, but fewer than 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2020[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 162 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Acura RDX (6 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 89 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 16V061, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 13V143, filed April 15, 2013: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura RDX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for RDX 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. 36 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 8 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 7 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,950). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 7 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 6 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,650). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 3 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for RDX 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Acura RDX with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 273 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RDX 4DR SUV AWD/TECH PACKAGE: length 183 in, width 74 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,871 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.