CarBrief

The most reported problem on the 2014 Acura RDX is exterior lighting, with 163 of its 244 NHTSA complaints[1][2]. Three recalls apply, and each one lists a free dealer fix[3][4][5].

244owner complaints[1]
3recalls[6]
22–23MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 244 owner complaints on file for the 2014 RDX[1]. Two mention a crash, one a fire, and four mention injuries. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints
Exterior lighting[2] 163
Air bags[9] 41
Unknown or other[10] 12
Visibility/wiper[11] 10
Suspension[12] 8
Electrical system[13] 8
Brakes[14] 4
Speed control[15] 3

Exterior lighting. This group stands far above the rest. Median mileage at failure is 88,000, with 1 crash and 2 injuries named[2]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe low beams that are too dim to drive at night, and say new bulbs did not fix it[2]. Some of the visibility/wiper complaints we read are also about dim headlights, so that group of 10 partly overlaps with the lighting topic[11]. None of the three recalls below is about headlights[3][4][5].

Air bags. The 41 air bag complaints name no crashes, fires or injuries[9]. In the sample we read, owners describe waiting for parts to do the air bag recall repair[9]. See the recalls section for the details.

Suspension. Only 8 complaints name suspension[12], so it is a small group. Median mileage at failure is 41,253[12]. In the sample we read, owners describe a clunking or abnormal noise, mostly from the rear, and shocks or struts being replaced[12].

Electrical system has 8 complaints with 1 fire named[13]. Brakes have 4[14] and speed control has 3, with 1 crash and 1 injury[15]. These groups are too small to call patterns.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls that cover this car. Each lists a free dealer remedy.

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 2014 RDX with the 3.5L 6-cylinder and Automatic (S6)[7][16]. Both versions use premium fuel.

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2WD (front-wheel drive)[7] 20 / 28 / 23 $3,550
4WD (all-wheel drive)[16] 19 / 27 / 22 $3,750

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the AWD version 5 stars overall, 5 for frontal, 5 for side and 4 for rollover, with a rollover risk of 15.5%[8]. The FWD version has the same stars, with a rollover risk of 16.4%[17].

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 3.5L 6-cylinder at 273 hp[18].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the AWD Tech Package variant[19].

Measure Value
Length[19] 183 in
Width[19] 74 in
Height[19] 67 in
Wheelbase[19] 106 in
Curb weight[19] 3,871 lb

How 2014 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 recalls20132014: 244 complaints, 3 recalls24420142015: 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 2014 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

The 2014 RDX has 244 complaints and 3 recalls[6]. Three years have more complaints: 2019 with 440, 2015 with 415 and 2020 with 348[6]. That puts 2014 fourth highest of the 20 model years listed[6]. The 2013 model has 162 complaints and 3 recalls[6].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2014 RDX?

The clearest thing in the data is the exterior lighting complaints, which make up 163 of 244 total[1][2]. If you test drive one, check the low beams at night. The recalls all list free remedies, so ask the seller for proof that the air bag and fuel pump work are done[3][4][5]. Safety ratings are strong at 5 stars overall[8][17], and fuel economy is 22 to 23 combined MPG on premium fuel[7][16]. Complaint counts are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what to check.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most reported problems with the 2014 Acura RDX?
Exterior lighting has 163 of the 244 NHTSA complaints, and owners in the sample we read describe dim headlights[1][2].
Does the 2014 Acura RDX have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists three: fuel pump 23V858, and driver air bag inflator recalls 19V182 and 16V061[3][4][5].
What gas mileage does the 2014 Acura RDX get?
EPA rates the 2WD at 23 combined MPG and the 4WD at 22 combined MPG, both on premium fuel[7][16].
How safe is the 2014 Acura RDX?
NHTSA gives 5 stars overall for both AWD and FWD, with 4 stars for rollover[8][17].
Is 2014 a bad year for the Acura RDX?
It has the fourth highest complaint count of the 20 listed years, at 244[6]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 244 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Acura RDX (2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 163 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 23V858, filed December 18, 2023: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 16V061, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. 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. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 41 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 12 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 10 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 8 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,253). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 4 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 3 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 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
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2014 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, height 67 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.