What are the most common problems with the 2021 Acura RDX?

NHTSA has 116 complaints on file. Engine is the biggest group we can describe, followed by brakes and power train.

Does the 2021 Acura RDX have recalls?

Yes. The by-year count shows 3 recalls. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.

Is the 2021 Acura RDX reliable?

The file holds 116 owner complaints. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read the problem groups above and the recalls section together.

What is the gas mileage of the 2021 Acura RDX?

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

Is the 2021 Acura RDX the best year for the RDX?

See the by-year comparison on this page. The 2021 model year has 116 complaints and 3 recalls.

2021 Acura RDX Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 116 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Acura RDX^[1]. Engine and brake reports are among the biggest named groups^[2]^[3].

116owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[4]

23–24MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[6]

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

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA file, biggest first.

Unknown or other. 31 complaints name this group^[7]. These reports do not point to one part, so we say no more about them.
Engine. 23 complaints name the engine group^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car suddenly losing power while they press the pedal to pass, with the check engine light coming on. Some pulled onto the shoulder and restarted the car afterward.
Brakes. 16 complaints name the brakes group^[3]. Owners describe loud squeaks and screeches from the rear brakes, plus clunking or popping noises when slowing down. One story describes warning messages and a tow after the car's software failed.
Power train. 13 complaints name the power train group^[8]. Owners describe power drops that look a lot like the engine stories. One story describes the gear selector moving back to park by itself.
Air bags. 11 complaints name the air bags group^[9]. Owners describe a passenger seat sensor that may not detect a smaller rider, and frustration over waiting for a recall repair part.
Structure. 10 complaints name the structure group^[10].
Electrical system. 10 complaints name the electrical system group^[11].
Visibility and wipers. 10 complaints name the visibility and wiper group^[12].

Three recalls are counted for this model year^[4].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2021 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]
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft (21V939), December 2021. About 279 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, reduced braking, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]

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^[5]	22 / 28 / 24	$3,400
RDX FWD A-SPEC, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	22 / 27 / 24	$3,400
RDX AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[17]	21 / 27 / 23	$3,550
RDX AWD A-SPEC, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S10), Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[18]	21 / 26 / 23	$3,550

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[6]	5	4	5	4	15.0%
SUV FWD^[19]	5	4	5	4	16.5%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2021 Acura RDX with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[20]	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^[21]	187 in	75 in	66 in	108 in	4,034 lb

How 2021 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each RDX model year. The 2021 is highlighted^[4].

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 116 complaints and 3 recalls for 2021^[4]. Among the 20 model years listed, 14 have fewer complaints than 2021 and 5 have more^[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (1) and the most are for 2019 (440)^[4]. 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 2021 RDX?

The 2021 Acura RDX has 116 complaints on file^[1]. That count is not adjusted for sales, so it says little on its own. The engine group is the biggest one we can describe^[2], and owners tell stories of power loss during passing. Brake noise also shows up in the stories we read^[3]. Three recalls are counted for this year^[4], so check the Recalls section on this page.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Acura RDX?: NHTSA has 116 complaints on file^[1]. Engine is the biggest group we can describe^[2], followed by brakes^[3] and power train^[8].
Does the 2021 Acura RDX have recalls?: Yes. The by-year count shows 3 recalls^[4]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
Is the 2021 Acura RDX reliable?: The file holds 116 owner complaints^[1]. These are unverified reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read the problem groups above and the recalls section together.
What is the gas mileage of the 2021 Acura RDX?: See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
Is the 2021 Acura RDX the best year for the RDX?: See the by-year comparison on this page. The 2021 model year has 116 complaints and 3 recalls^[4].

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 348 complaints, 5 recalls
2021 this page

Compare all model years of the Acura RDX

All Acura models

Similar cars from 2021: small suvs

2021 Mitsubishi Outlander 19 complaints, 3 recalls
2021 Tesla Model Y 1,091 complaints, 23 recalls
2021 Volkswagen Atlas 645 complaints, 17 recalls
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan 143 complaints, 5 recalls
2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer 0 complaints, 0 recalls
2021 Ford Bronco Sport 709 complaints, 16 recalls

All small suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 116 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Acura RDX (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
23 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). 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
31 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). 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 21V939, filed December 2, 2021: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. 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, 2021 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.

2021 Acura RDX: problems, recalls and fuel economy