What are the most common problems with the 2020 Acura RDX?

Owners name the unknown or other group most, then visibility and wipers, then the engine. See the problems section for what owners describe.

Does the 2020 Acura RDX have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts list recalls for 2020. The Recalls section on this page has the full list.

How many complaints does the 2020 Acura RDX have?

NHTSA has 348 owner complaints on file. These are unverified reports from owners.

Is the 2020 Acura RDX reliable?

The complaint file is sizable at 348 complaints. Check the problems and recalls sections, and see the by-year comparison to judge it against other years.

What gas mileage does the 2020 Acura RDX get?

See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

2020 Acura RDX Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 348 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Acura RDX^[1]. Four of them mention a crash and none report a death^[1].

348owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[2]

23–24MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first.

Unknown or other. 102 complaints fall into this group^[5]. These reports did not point to one clear part.
Visibility and wipers. 83 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe the rear glass breaking suddenly, sometimes while parked or just after a door closed. Some also say they were told the repair was on them, and one describes a pitted windshield that hurts the view in bright sun.
Engine. 57 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the car losing power while driving, with the check engine light flashing. Several say the car slowed down on a highway and then ran normally after a restart.
Electrical system. 27 complaints^[8]. Owners describe warning lights, a car that would not speed up, and repeated dealer visits for dash wiring and infotainment trouble.
Structure. 26 complaints^[9]. Owners describe loud popping from the tailgate and the panoramic roof, and some also mention the rear glass shattering.
Brakes. 23 complaints^[10].
Power train. 22 complaints^[11].
Fuel and propulsion system. 21 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2020 RDX is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger (26V332), May 2026. About 98,892 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger (24V064), February 2024. About 750,114 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump (23V858), December 2023. About 2,490,460 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly (23V158), March 2023. About 448,613 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump (21V215), March 2021. About 624,552 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
RDX FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[3]	22 / 28 / 24	$3,400
RDX FWD A-SPEC, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	22 / 27 / 24	$3,400
RDX AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[19]	21 / 27 / 23	$3,550
RDX AWD A-SPEC, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[20]	21 / 26 / 23	$3,550

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[4]	5	4	5	4	15.0%
SUV FWD^[21]	5	4	5	4	16.5%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2020 Acura RDX with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[22]	272 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
RDX 4DR SUV^[23]	187 in	75 in	66 in	108 in	4,034 lb

How 2020 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each RDX model year. The 2020 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2007	53	2
2008	33	3
2009	15	2
2010	22	2
2011	16	2
2012	15	2
2013	162	3
2014	244	3
2015	415	3
2016	41	2
2017	79	1
2018	77	1
2019	440	5
2020	348	5
2021	116	3
2022	31	2
2023	24	2
2024	12	2
2025	30	1
2026	1	0

NHTSA's counts for the RDX show 348 complaints and 5 recalls for 2020^[2]. Among the 20 model years listed, 17 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 2 have more^[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (1) and the most are for 2019 (440)^[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2020 RDX?

The complaint file for this model year is sizable, at 348 complaints^[1]. Owners point most often to groups that are not tied to one clear part, then to the rear glass and wipers, then to the engine^[5]^[6]^[7]. Reports of lost power came up in both the engine and electrical stories^[7]^[8], and no deaths are reported^[1]. Recalls also exist for this year, and you can see them in the Recalls section^[2]. These are unverified owner reports and the counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide to what owners talk about.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Acura RDX?: Owners name the unknown or other group most, then visibility and wipers, then the engine^[5]^[6]^[7]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
Does the 2020 Acura RDX have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts list recalls for 2020^[2]. The Recalls section on this page has the full list.
How many complaints does the 2020 Acura RDX have?: NHTSA has 348 owner complaints on file^[1]. These are unverified reports from owners.
Is the 2020 Acura RDX reliable?: The complaint file is sizable at 348 complaints^[1]. Check the problems and recalls sections, and see the by-year comparison to judge it against other years.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Acura RDX get?: See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Acura RDX

2008 33 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 16 complaints, 2 recalls
2013 162 complaints, 3 recalls
2014 244 complaints, 3 recalls
2015 415 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 41 complaints, 2 recalls
2017 79 complaints, 1 recall
2018 77 complaints, 1 recall
2019 440 complaints, 5 recalls
2020 this page
2021 116 complaints, 3 recalls

Compare all model years of the Acura RDX

Other Acura models from 2020

2020 Acura MDX 229 complaints, 8 recalls

All Acura models

Similar cars from 2020: small suvs

2020 Hyundai Santa Fe 217 complaints, 2 recalls
2020 Hyundai Tucson 179 complaints, 1 recall
2020 Jeep Compass 143 complaints, 1 recall
2020 Kia Sportage 162 complaints, 2 recalls
2020 Kia Telluride 776 complaints, 7 recalls
2020 Land Rover Discovery 32 complaints, 10 recalls

All small suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 348 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Acura RDX (4 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura RDX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for RDX FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
102 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
83 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
57 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,800). NHTSA vehicle records
27 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
26 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
23 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,680). NHTSA vehicle records
22 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,607). NHTSA vehicle records
21 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 3,450). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 26V332, filed May 21, 2026: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
Recall 24V064, filed February 1, 2024: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger. NHTSA recall database
Recall 23V858, filed December 18, 2023: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
Recall 23V158, filed March 9, 2023: Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V215, filed March 25, 2021: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for RDX FWD A-SPEC, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 27 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for RDX AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for RDX AWD A-SPEC, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2020 Acura RDX with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 272 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RDX 4DR SUV: length 187 in, width 75 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 4,034 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.

2020 Acura RDX: problems, recalls and fuel economy