2013 Acura Rdx problems
The Acura RDX is a compact luxury crossover SUV produced by Acura, a luxury vehicle division of Honda, as the second crossover SUV offering from the brand after the mid-size MDX. Since it was introduced, it shared its platform with the Honda Civic and CR-V.
First generation (TB1/2; 2007)
Originally previewed as the Acura RD-X concept car, the production RDX had its debut at the 2006 New York Auto Show and went on sale on August 11, 2006. A facelifted 2010 model went on sale in August 2009, which featured the addition Acura's "power plenum" grille and a front-wheel drive option.
Engine
The first-generation RDX is powered by a 2.3-litre straight-4 turbocharged gasoline engine, rated at 240 bhp (179 kW; 243 PS) at 6,000 rpm with a torque peak of 260 ft⋅lbf (350 N⋅m) at 4,500 rpm. At the time, this was uncommon among Honda vehicles.
The K23A1 engine has all-aluminum construction, an i-VTEC head, and dual balance shafts. It was also one of the only four-cylinder powered luxury SUVs of its generation. Honda's variable flow turbocharger reduces turbo lag by using a valve to narrow the exhaust passage at low rpm, increasing the velocity of the exhaust flow and keeping the turbine spinning rapidly. At higher rpm, the valve opens to allow more exhaust flow for increased boost. The engine also features a top-mounted intercooler which receives air from the grille, channeled by ducting under the hood.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated fuel mileage is 19 mpg‑US (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg‑imp) city and 23 mpg‑US (10 L/100 km; 28 mpg‑imp) highway miles per gallon. An updated EPA mileage estimate in February 2007 rated the RDX at 17 mpg‑US (14 L/100 km; 20 mpg‑imp) city and 22 mpg‑US (11 L/100 km; 26 mpg‑imp) highway.
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Common 2013 Acura Rdx problems
The Acura RDX 2013 has been reported to have several common problems by its owners, primarily related to the climate system, engine, and fuel system.
- Engine Problems: Another common issue reported by owners of the Acura RDX 2013 is engine-related problems. Specifically, some owners have reported that the engine leaks oil, which can lead to significant engine damage if not addressed promptly. This issue has been reported by seven people, indicating that it is a relatively common problem with this model year.
- Fuel System Issues: Finally, some owners of the Acura RDX 2013 have reported issues with the fuel system. Specifically, the fuel pump has been reported to overheat, which can lead to engine stalling and other engine problems. This issue has been reported to occur particularly in hot and humid weather conditions, which can exacerbate the problem.
In summary, the Acura RDX 2013 has been reported to have several common problems related to the climate system, engine, and fuel system. These issues can lead to significant inconvenience and expense for owners, and it is important to be aware of these issues when considering purchasing a used Acura RDX 2013.
Is the 2013 Acura RDX reliable?
The 2013 RDX has average reliability, earning a score of three out of five from J.D. Power.
Do the 2013 Acura RDX have transmission problems?
If you don't routinely change your fluids at least every 30,000 miles or so, you may find that your 2013 Acura RDX transmission will slip.
What is the common problem of Acura RDX?
Drivers praise the Acura RDX over its relatively cheap repair and maintenance costs, as it seldom develops engine issues. However, the Acura RDX is not perfect, and many drivers have complained about squealing brakes, dangerous air bags, and poor acceleration.
How long can a 2013 Acura RDX last?
Like all the model-year 2013 cars and trucks we're predicting to last for 250,000 miles with proper care, the RDX gets high marks from J.D. Power and Associates for both initial quality and mechanical reliability over the initial three-year ownership period, received better-than-average ratings for durability from ...
2013 Acura Rdx car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Acura Rdx problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Exterior lighting problems
- Air bags problems
- Power train problems
- Visibility/wiper problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2013 Acura Rdx vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2013 Acura Rdx
The NHTSA has received 136 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2013 Acura Rdx. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2013 Acura Rdx vehicles.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-01
- VIN: 5J8TB4H33DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My headlights are dim and this started happening about 3 years ago when my car 7-years-old. I have to use my brights to drive at night. The Ron Tonkin Acura of Portland, OR told me the projectors are bad and that both headlights need to be placed for $2000. This is luxury vehicle and this situation is ridiculous. This needs to be a recall. Others have complained online about the same issue.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-16
- VIN: 5J8TB4H33DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Over the last few years or so, the low beam headlights have provided less and less illumination of the road when driving at night. I have purchased and installed a variety of different new bulbs in attempts to rectify the problem and have tried adjusting the set of the beam, all to no avail. At this point the low beams provide dangerously little illumination on the road in front of the vehicle and the only reasonable way to drive is with the high beams on. I have searched online forums and it seems that the reflector dish in the headlight assembly delaminates over time to the point that it no longer directs the light of the bulb forward in front of the car. I called the Acura dealership in Annapolis, MD and was told that the forums are correct and the headlight housing is failed. The only thing they could do for it was to replace the entire housing at a cost of $2,300 ($1,000 for each headlight and $300 for the labor) with another OEM housing, which has not been modified or upgraded from the original and would therefore have the same problem. Acura would not bear any of the cost of this replacement. The original headlight housings are still in hand and available for inspection upon request. The dealer did not need to inspect the parts, they were already aware of the problem, so yes, it has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealer. There is no warning light or message associated with the problem, just a progressing failure to illuminate the road. The safety of the driver, occupants, and others on the road, is put at risk by the inability to see ahead of the vehicle and the consequent need to drive with the high beams on. The date provided below is the date of the filing of this report, but the failure has been progressive and did not occur on a specific date.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-02-01
- VIN: 5J8TB4H30DL
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS
- Summary: See attached document for complaint
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-02-28
- VIN: 5J8TB3H30DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Low beam headlights gradually became dim to the point of not illuminating the road. Replacement halogen bulbs made no difference. The reflective coating inside the low beam projector housing delaminates to the point that no light illuminates the road. You literally have to drive with high beams on as those are in another housing. Acura dealer said only solution was to replace the entire headlight unit. I spent about $500 on replacement headlight housing from eBay and paid a body shop to install them. Acura refuses to recall the 2013-2014-2015 RDX that all have this same issue.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
- VIN: 5J8TB3H30DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: My car headlights are very dim and can't see road well at night-other cars have trouble seeing me. This has slowly happened over time. My mechanic replaced headlight bulbs still a problem and he says the reflectors are bad so I have ordered new headlights. I went online and found this has been a problem for many Acura RDX owners, Acura is aware but hasn't sought a recall to fix situation. However, Acura had same problem on another model (TLX I believe) and did recall and fix problem. This is a safety hazard and almost had head on collision multiple times in the last few years so try not to drive at night which is unrealistic. Other issues are had to replace side passenger mirror which spontaneously melted and cracked, car is garage kept. Similar melting of plastic back side area of car on drivers side, others online report similar problems for my year and color car, Acura won't do anything about it
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-10-01
- VIN: 5J8TB4H39DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Low beam lighting failures due to the reflective property breakdown
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-02
- VIN: 5J8TB4H37DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: There hasn't been a specific incident at this point. I am reporting what appears to be a manufacturing defect with the headlamps on my 2013 Acura RDX. I have owned this car for approximately 9 years and recently (past 6-12 months) noticed having difficulty seeing the road at night. Even worse seeing the road at night when raining. I took this vehicle to my personal mechanic and he suggested that the reflective coating inside the light seems to have dulled or has become corroded. He suggested this should not happen and wondered if Acura was aware of it. I did a brief google search and quickly found I was not the only one who had experienced this issue. I called Acura and opened a case file to see if they were aware or if there was something they could do. Then took to a Acura dealer to have them investigate. The dealer has agreed the reflective coating inside the light was no longer working as intended and may be the cause of the dim lights. They contacted Acura about this and Acura said they would only pay for half because the car was 11 yrs old. I suggested this didn't seem equitable since this definitely a safety issue that is not related to normal maintenance and there was literally nothing I could have done to prevent this. So in my opinion they acknowledged there is a manufacturing defect and refuse to own the problem. I don't believe it's reasonable to expect to have to replace the entire light assembly of a vehicle during the life of that vehicle to keep the lights working properly. Certainly not on a car that is just over 10 years old.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-04
- VIN: 5J8TB4H39DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: A few years ago I began to notice the lack of visibility when I would drive at night. I had my headlight bulbs replaced thinking it was a simple maintenance issue. After spending the money the lights did not get any better. They have only gotten worse over the year and now its so bad when i drive its a hazard. In speaking to Acura they have stated that this is a known issue and its the entire head light component that must be replaced not just the bulbs. That cost would be upwards of $2,000 just for the parts! I can not afford to purchase this and I dont think this falls under normal wear and tear maintenance. I am a very responsible car owner and have always kept records of my car service that I will attach for documentation.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-01
- VIN: 5J8TB4H3XDL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The low beam headlights are so dim I cannot see the road driving at night. I tried replacing the light bulbs with new lights and it still does not improve the visibility. I contacted Acura and it is a known issue with the headlight housing and assembly but they don't want to pay for it. The headlight assembly replacement cost for both sides will be about $3,000. Acura should be responsible for continuing to let drivers drive at night in such dangerous condition that poses significant threat to the driver themselves as well as other drivers and people on the road at night. NHTSA, I hope you can please help us!!
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-01
- VIN: 5J8TB4H35DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The low beam headlights have dimmed. It is unsafe to drive this vehicle at night and especially if it is raining. The problem is that the low-beam reflector oxidizes over time, and it is not reflecting the light from the bulb. Brighter bulbs or cleaning the lenses is not going to solve the issue. I talked to a dealer and he mentioned it is a known issue, but Acura is not covering any expenses for the fix, which is replacing the entire headlight assembly. That is the only solution. The repair cost is upwards of a thousand dollars. Also worthy of note - a law firm is considering filing a class action lawsuit related to this issue.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-25
- VIN: 5J8TB4H31DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Just purchased vehicle not too long ago and noticed light was dim. From researching online, many people have the same issue. Headlight projector is ruined from halogen. Low beam is very dim and hard to see at night.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-16
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 5J8TB3H33DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Exterior Lighting. Low beam headlights/assy. are too dim. Due to the flawed design the reflective film backing material inside the projector lens for the low beam, the headlights delaminates. This is in the projector/reflective and has nothing to do with the bulbs, which have been replaced multiple times. It is so dim that I did run off of the road into a ditch, but due to the low speed, there was no injury or damage. People flash me that the lights are not on, but they are and I have to drive with the high beams on to be able to see the road. Acura may have skated out of recalling this vehicle with the same headlamp assy, but when I get into an accident due to these dim headlights, I will first sue Acura as this is a cut and dry case of not wanting to pay to replace an obvious safety risk. Reminds me of that movie about the gas tanks exploding. The vehicle no longer conforms to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. Please investigate. The same headlamp assy. was recalled on another vehicle series, and I do not understand why Acura would make a customer pay over 2K for replacements, plus installation fees. The RDX model should have been included in this recall. [XXX] There are now 47 complaints with mine. 46 Complaint(s) February 10, 2024 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11571216 Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING January 6, 2024 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11563964 Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING December 26, 2023 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11561892 Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING November 14, 2023 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11555054 Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING November 13, 2023 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11554972 Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING October 15, 2023 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11550036 Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING September 26, 2023 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11546625 Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING September 25, 2023 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11546298 Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING September 21, 2023 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11545835 Component INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-01
- VIN: 5J8TB3H37DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The headlights have become too dim to drive safely at night. While researching the problem on-line, I see this is a known problem caused by the reflective material inside the headlamp assembly delaminating or discoloring. Although a known safety problem, Acura has not issued a needed recall to correct the problem.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-07
- VIN: 5J8TB3H30DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The projection paint has worn off from halogen bulb resulting in dangerously low and dim lighting for low beams.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-04
- VIN: 5J8TB4H50DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: Headlights are dimming
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-26
- VIN: 5J8TB3H30DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The headlights are dim. I believe the projector has been burned by the halogen bulb. It is a common issue with the halogen-equipped RDX. It is a safety issue at night. Replacing the bulb does not fix the issue.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-11
- VIN: 5J8TB4H39DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: At approximately 76k I started noticing that my low beam headlights were very dim at night and was having a hard time seeing the street/lines and signs while driving. The distance I should have been able to see was declining. It continued to decline over time, and now at 80k literally the only light my vehicle is projecting at night is the front running lights, so I cannot see barely more that 5 feet in front of me while driving. I have changed bulbs 3 times, each time to progressively brighter bulbs, most recently to LED, and it has not improved. I've researched this issue, and apparently I am not the only one who has this issue, and it appears the projector housing coating has burned out. This was an issue on the MDX as well, and they had a recall. Why has this not been addressed for the RDX?
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-01
- VIN: 5J8TB3H33DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The HID headlights on this car degrade and fail to produce sufficient light. The reflectors lose their coating. This is a widely known issue [XXX] I have discussed this with my mechanic. The headlights are so dim as to be unsafe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-12-01
- VIN: 5J8TB4H38DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The headlights begin to dim in December 2020. I finally had to replace headlamp unit: replace both leadlight assemblies on 12 March 2021 due to reflective chrome paint has worn/burnt away. Repairs costed $3,546.20. It is 15 October 2023 and the headlights are beginning to dim-out again. The Acura Dealership inspected my vehicle on 14 October 2023 and indicated that the headlamp unit need replacing, again.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-15
- VIN: 5J8TB4H35DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. At night, it is very hard to see the road unless I put the high beamers on. I've inquired about this with the dealership and shared my concerned on how this is a safety issue and front lights arent bright enough. the response "we are aware, it is common in that year and model but nothing we can do." then proceeded to state it would cost $2k to replace. This clearly is a manufacturing issue with Acura and should have been addressed during quality control or something. At this point, I dont feel comfortable driving my car in the evening and it is unfair. It is a risk and safety concern for me, as the driver, and others on the road. If Acura is aware, why arent they fixing the issue? Definitely not a consumer problem.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-09-01
- VIN: 5J8TB3H37DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The low beam headlights degraded very quickly and doesn't throw much light. The problem seems to be with the projector headlight housing
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-21
- VIN: 5J8TB4H39DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: The headlights are soo dim that you cannot see anything at all at nighttime unless you drive with the brights on. The headlight bulbs blow out super fast, within a few months, and need to constantly be replaced over and over again. Even brand new headlights you cannot see at night.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-02
- VIN: 5J8TB3H37DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: I, along with many others according to the internet, am experiencing very low, unsafe visibility at night due to poor low beam performance. New bulbs make no difference and most of the time the vehicle must be operated using the high beams, which is a safety issue for other drivers.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-17
- VIN: 5J8TB3H35DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: My exterior headlights have dimmed over time and are now DANGEROUSLY low. This is a known issue with 2013 Acura RDXs that cannot be fixed without completely replacing the lights for about $2,000. This is a safety issue.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-04-01
- VIN: 5J8TB3H31DL
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: I, along with many others according to the internet, am experiencing very low, unsafe visibility at night due to poor low beam performance. New bulbs make no difference and most of the time the vehicle must be operated using the high beams, which is a safety issue for other drivers.
2013 Acura Rdx recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2013 Acura Rdx.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
- Consequence: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- Summary: Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Consequence: If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.
Negative 2013 Acura Rdx car reviews
Positive 2013 Acura Rdx car reviews
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I have owned both an '08 RDX and a '13, and I can assure you that the ride quality is much better than the outgoing model's reputation suggests. It's not a floaty car, but if that's what you're looking for, a Lexus or a '70s-'80s Cadillac might be more your style. Despite my heavy foot, I still average 21 mpg in heavy city/stop & go driving. It's important to note that this is not a CRV, as another commenter/troll suggested. They clearly do not own an RDX. The car uses premium gas, so don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise, whether it's a salesperson or someone who thinks they know better than the teams of engineers who designed it. The brakes can be a bit touchy, and the materials quality is not on par with MB/Audi, but it's also not priced like MB/Audi.
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This car is an excellent value for the price. It's very quiet inside, comfortable, and has great handling. I've been searching for a replacement and test drove the new BMW X3, Lexus RX, Jaguar F-pace, and Volvo XC60. However, I never felt as good as I did when I got back to my 5-6 year old RDX from these newer cars, so I decided to wait for the new 2019 RDX.
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This is a great SUV that strikes a perfect balance between functionality and sportiness. It's not too big, but it's large enough to handle most things that come up when you own a house and have a lot of DIY projects. The V6 engine has plenty of power to handle itself in traffic while still being fun and sporty to drive. Although it could be a little quieter on the road and it really needs air vents in the backseat for passengers, overall it's a good blend of functionality and sport in a mid-size SUV. After driving everything under the sun from a Chevy Tahoe to an Audi S4, an Audi Q5 to a Toyota Pathfinder, and an Infiniti Q60, I ended up back with the RDX. It's the best combination I found of flirting to balance a mid-size SUV to something that's fun to drive short of spending almost twice as much on a Porsche Macan.
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With over a year and 17000+ miles of experience driving my RDX, I can confidently say that it is a great car. Despite a recent drop in my mpg to 21, I am still satisfied with its performance. I have taken it to the dealership for a full synthetic oil change and a front wheel alignment, which has improved its handling. Although I upgraded my gas to Chevron on their advice, it did not make a significant difference. I have noticed that the 2014 MDX has the same mpg ratings and touch screen controls, which I miss on my old Pioneer flat panel. However, I still believe that my RDX is a luxury car, even if it doesn't always feel like it. One issue I have encountered is tire slippage when turning from a stop, which I have addressed with the dealer.
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The V6 / 6 speed transmission in the new RDX is truly outstanding. It is quiet, smooth, and has excellent fuel economy. Moreover, it does not have to downshift on every hill, making it a perfect combination of power and fuel efficiency. During a recent road trip to a football game with three passengers, everyone commented on the ride quality and how quiet it was. I considered other SUVs in this class, such as the 2013 RX, GLK, and others. While some were a little larger and had more usable space behind the rear seats, they were also many $1000's more expensive. If you want a premium SUV of this size, dollar for dollar, the RDX is simply the best choice.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2013 Acura Rdx problems:
2nd Gen RDX Common Issues/Years to Avoid? - AcuraZine - Acura ...
Oct 23, 2020 ... 2G RDX (2013-2018) - 2nd Gen RDX Common Issues/Years to Avoid? - After crossing the MDX off our list due to the oil consumption ...
Acura 2013-18 RDX transmission issues -- anyone have personal ...
Jun 19, 2019 ... When the transmission control module detects a fault in the transmission it will go into limp mode where it will only shift from 2nd to 4th, or ...
transmission issue with 2013 rdx - AcuraZine - Acura Enthusiast ...
Sep 24, 2018 ... Most noticeable at 29,39,49and 59 mph.When You give it gas, the shudder goes away.It takes some getting used to,at first.It is more noticeable ...
2013 Acura RDX Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2013 Acura RDX? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
2013 Acura RDX Reliability - Consumer Reports
Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.
Other years of Acura Rdx
Are you having problems with your 2013 Acura Rdx?
Giles Bergnaum 2024-11-24
Before purchasing the car, I read numerous reviews to ensure I was making the right choice. All the reviews mentioned a quiet and smooth ride, which was confirmed during the test drive. However, after driving the car for almost 3K miles, I have noticed that I can feel and hear every bump on the road, even small ones. This has made me question the suspension of the car. I have also noticed that the cabin is not as quiet as I expected it to be. Perhaps there is a lack of cabin acoustic material. It is important to me that the car lives up to its reputation of being quiet and smooth, and I hope to find a solution to these issues.
Bradford Mayer 2024-06-18
The RDX, with a US News Car Rating of 8.5, was ultimately chosen despite other vehicles having better US News Car Ratings, such as the Subaru Outback with an 8.9 rating and the Lexus RX350 with an 8.6 rating. While other vehicles may have had better maintenance plans, such as the Outback's 60,000 miles of free maintenance, and better interest rates, such as 0% compared to 1.9%, the RDX still proved to be the best fit for my needs. However, I did experience some issues during my first maintenance visit, where I had to return to the dealer for a replacement of a damaged sensor wire. Upon physical inspection of the part, it appeared to have been either misassembled or installed incorrectly, as there were tool marks on the part. Additionally, despite purchasing road hazard insurance, I was still charged $185. After the maintenance visit, I noticed that the car pulled slightly to the right, which may have been due to the tires being rotated without being trued, rebalanced, or road checked, which any reputable tire dealer would have done.
Bret Collins 2024-02-11
The new car warranty is being disregarded despite my purchase of a new RDX six months ago with only 5,000 miles. Unfortunately, this so-called luxury vehicle has a rough ride, bouncing even on flat surfaces. Although the service technician acknowledged the issue, the dealer did not bother to check if the suspension is loose by putting it in a hoist. As a result, I experience headaches every time I drive it. It is disappointing that Acura customer service considers this rough ride to be normal.