CarBrief

Most of the 415 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Acura RDX are about exterior lighting[1][2]. The car also has three driver air bag inflator recalls, so check the recall status before you buy or keep one[3][4][5].

415owner complaints[1]
3recalls[6]
22–23MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 415 owner complaints for this model year[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several components. Here are the largest groups.

Component group Complaints
Exterior lighting[2] 343
Air bags[9] 33
Visibility/wiper[10] 21
Structure[11] 10
Unknown or other[12] 8
Electrical system[13] 8
Fuel/propulsion system[14] 6
Power train[15] 4

Exterior lighting. This group is by far the biggest[2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe low beam headlights that dim over time and make night driving hard. Several say new bulbs did not help, and some mention high repair quotes. The median mileage at failure is 75,000[2]. Three of these complaints mention a crash and one an injury[2].

Air bags. In the sample we read, owners describe getting a recall notice while repair parts were not yet available, and worry about driving the car in the meantime[9]. This group includes 2 crashes and 3 injuries[9].

Visibility and wipers. The complaints we read in this group are mixed. Several describe dim headlights, and others describe wiper icing or a sunroof leak[10]. Median mileage at failure is 48,500[10].

Structure. In the sample we read, owners describe sunroof glass shattering while driving, and white paint peeling[11]. One complaint in this group mentions a crash and one an injury[11].

The other groups have only a handful of complaints each, so we do not treat them as common problems[12][13][14][15].

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls that include the 2015 RDX, newest first. All three involve the driver front air bag inflator. In each, the maker says it will notify owners and dealers will replace the inflator free of charge.

For each recall, owners can contact Honda customer service at the number given in the recall[3][4][5].

Fuel economy

EPA lists two versions. Both have a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine, an Automatic (S6) and premium fuel[7][16].

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

EPA's annual fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star ratings for the all-wheel-drive version are 5 stars overall, 5 frontal, 5 side and 4 rollover, with a rollover risk of 15.5%[8]. The front-wheel-drive version has the same star ratings and a rollover risk of 16.4%[17].

Engine and size

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

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the AWD Tech Package version. They can differ slightly from US models[19].

Measure Value
Length[19] 183 in
Width[19] 74 in
Height[19] 67 in
Wheelbase[19] 106 in
Curb weight[19] 3,856 lb

How 2015 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 recalls2015: 415 complaints, 3 recalls41520152016: 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 2015 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

NHTSA's counts for each Acura RDX model year show 415 complaints and 3 recalls for 2015[6]. Only 2019 has more complaints, with 440[6]. The 2019 and 2020 model years each have 5 recalls, more than 2015[6]. The neighbors are much lower: 244 complaints for 2014 and 41 for 2016[6].

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

Should you buy a used 2015 Acura RDX?

The biggest issue in the complaints is dim headlights, and in the sample we read, owners say new bulbs did not fix it[2]. Ask to see the car at night, and ask what a headlight replacement would cost. Three air bag recalls apply to this model year, and each lists a free inflator replacement at a dealer[3][4][5]. Confirm all of them are done before you buy. The crash ratings are good, with 5 stars overall[8][17]. EPA puts annual fuel cost at $3,550 to $3,750 on premium fuel[7][16].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Acura RDX?
Exterior lighting leads the complaints, with 343 of 415 on file with NHTSA[1][2]. Air bags come next with 33[9]. These are unverified owner reports.
Does the 2015 Acura RDX have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists three driver air bag inflator recalls: 19V500, 19V182 and 16V061, each with a free dealer inflator replacement[3][4][5].
What is the gas mileage of the 2015 Acura RDX?
EPA rates the 2WD at 20 city, 28 highway and 23 combined MPG[7]. The 4WD is rated 19, 27 and 22[16].
How safe is the 2015 Acura RDX?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover for both drive types[8][17].
Is 2015 a bad year for the Acura RDX?
It has the second highest complaint count of the listed years, 415, behind 2019 with 440[6]. The largest group of those complaints is exterior lighting[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 415 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Acura RDX (7 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 343 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 19V500, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. 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. 33 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 21 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 10 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 8 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 4 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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, 2015 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 3,856 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.