2021 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.
Social links
Common 2021 Acura Rdx problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 2021 Acura RDX, common problems include excessive brake wear, engine stalling, and frozen stereo system. Excessive brake wear is a prevalent issue, with front brake pads wearing down quickly, costing around $200 for pad replacement and $450 for rotor replacement if damaged.
Additionally, there is a recall for the driveshaft, which may fail and cause the vehicle to roll away when parked. Acura will replace the left front driveshaft for free on affected models.
What are the problems for the 2021 Acura RDX?
Owner Reported Trouble Spots
- Body Hardware. ...
- Exhaust. ...
- In-car Electronics. ...
- Noises And Leaks. ...
- Electrical Accessories. ...
- Engine Major. ...
- Climate System. ...
- Drive System.
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.
Is the Acura RDX high maintenance?
The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Acura RDX is $497, compared to an average of $859 for luxury compact SUVs and $652 for all vehicle models.
What is the difference between 2021 and 2022 RDX?
The powertrains available for the 2021 and 2022 Acura RDX are unchanged. However, Acura has returned the adaptive suspension system and the drive modes to elevate the capabilities of the 2022 RDX. In addition, engineering advancements have reduced cabin noise for an improved driving experience.
2021 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:
- Unknown or other problems
- Engine problems
- Service brakes problems
- Power train problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Acura Rdx vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2021 Acura Rdx
The NHTSA has received 60 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Acura Rdx. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2021 Acura Rdx vehicles.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-24
- VIN: 5J8TC2H50ML
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: Windshield washer pump has failed due to washer nozzles being clogged. Washer pump replaced, but still will not work as the nozzles are clogged. Nozzles are on back order, so therefore unable to clean windshield while driving. No idea when the nozzles will be in stock as this item is on critical back-order.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-01
- VIN: 5J8TC2H54ML
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS
- Summary: Acura RDX 2021.Faulty seat weight sensor front passenger seat. My wife is petite, [XXX] " and weighs [XXX]. When she sits in front passenger seat, at times, the seat weight sensor doesn't register that she's sitting in the seat and the air bag is not engaged. intermittently, the SRS light illuminates but many times it doesn't. I've taken the vehicle into the dealer (Chevy Chase Acura, Bethesda, MD) and they say there is nothing they can do when the SRS light is not on. I've brought the vehicle into the dealership several times. They say that parts are limited and not generally available and are expedited only when the SRS light is illuminated. I've called and spoken with American Honda Customer service and they refuse to help stating the same thing the dealer says. But this is definitely a safety issue. NHSTA Recall # 24V-064. Service Bulletin # 24-015. Please help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-02
- VIN: 5J8TC2H57ML
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The panoramic sunroof makes popping sounds when I drive the car up or down ramps or curbs at angles that twists the chassis. This could potentially break and shatter the glass on top of the driver and passengers or worse dislodge from the mounting bracket and fall into the cabin of the car.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
- VIN: 5J8TC2H30ML
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-15
- VIN: 5J8TC2H54ML
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I took my 2021 Acura RDX to Pohanka Acura Service, Chantilly, VA 20151 after I noticed broken rear door weather strips on both sides which is very unusual for a new car. Dealer said it is not covered under warranty. Then I got them replaced by paying the full price for this to the dealer. I contacted the corporate HondaUSA for reimbursement for this issue and they said it would not cover under warranty. Even after they replaced the old weather strips with the new ones, I noticed same issue but at other location (weather strips were not attached to the doors at the corner). I took it back to the dealer again to fix and they said they cannot fix it as all RDX have same thing and they showed me some new RDX and I found the same issue in that car also. I am concerned whether these gaps will cause any problem due outside rain, wind, dust etc.
AIR BAGS,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
- VIN: 5J8TC1H68ML
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
- Summary: Remedy is available for the recall, but Honda will not fix the recall on my 2 vehicle’s that I own with this open recall. They are saying 2025 maybe. Unacceptable.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-09
- VIN: 5J8TC1H72ML
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My sunroof exploded for no reason while traveling at highway speeds. Fortunately my sunshade was closed preventing shattered glass from entering the cabin which could have injured me. Shattered glass also damaged the paint on top of my vehicle which will require repainting. The noise made by the glass exploding startled me and could have caused an accident in addition to the glass that flew off of the vehicle endangering vehicles behind me.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-11
- VIN: 5J8TC1H7XML
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and other unknown dealers were contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-20
- VIN: 5J8TC2H74ML
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Panoramic sunroof has made popping noise when pulling into driveways 4/5 times within 3 weeks of owning vehicle. Have taken to dealer twice and they claim they cant replicate issue. I have recorded this noise during driving and shown to dealer but they refuse to fix. They have knowledge of issue and issued technical service bulletin requiring new sunroof and bolts because the current sunroof bolts and frame can not support its weight when vehicle flexes. Glass is at risk of shattering during vehicle operation.
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-20
- VIN: 5J8TC2H57ML
- Components: POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
- Summary: While driving on a freeway for about 15 minutes at 65 MPH, the MIL indicator started blinking. The vehicle began to rapidly shake, while the engine power decreased significantly. The engine dramatically went from 65 mph to 35 mph causing a safety hazard while driving on the freeway as we attempted to exit and pull over safely. The vehicle is a 2021 Acura RDX and is driven approximately 10,000 miles per year. All maintenance has been performed in accordance with the manufacturer's schedule. It has not been involved in any collisions or other user risk other than normal driving in accordance with the approved use of the vehicles. Upon trying to restart the vehicle, the vehicle continues to violently shake while in park. Notification lights indicating Brake Failure, AWD failure, Check Emissions System, etc. There were no other indicators that there was an issue with the vehicle prior to this instance on 4/20/2024. In fact, the vehicle was viewed by Cerritos Acura for its regularly schedule service on 4/10/2024 and no issues were identified by the dealer. As far as safety, we were traveling with two young children and the location of the freeway did not have a safe place to pull over. The sudden reduction in speed also put us in risk with surrounding vehicles. This appears to be related to TSB 20-053, however, no communication have been identified or communicated by the dealers to the the owner/operator of the vehicle.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-08
- VIN: 5J8TC2H35ML
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: Wipers intermittently completely stop working, can last for hours or days. This has happened several times already.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-04
- VIN: 5J8TC1H66ML
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Sunroof exploded! My wife was driving her Acura RDX on [XXX] in Sunroof exploded! My wife was driving her Acura RDX on [XXX] in Tucson Heading East to Vail Arizona, when she heard a loud pop--I heard it to as I was on the phone with her. My wife noticed a gush of air and cars behind her swerving dangerously as the sunroof glass exploded out spraying glass all over cars following behind her. There was no inclement weather conditions. Nothing impacted the glass, the glass exploded out. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-10
- VIN: 5J8TC2H55ML
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: On 2-10-2024 I was driving the 2021 RDX SH-AWD on I-40W in TN with my daughter in the passenger's seat. It was raining. After about 2 hours of driving, at about 3:00 pm, I took a break at a Rest Area near Buffalo Valley. After ~20-min rest, I restarted the car and tried to merge back onto I-40W. I was accelerating towards the speed limit of 70 m/h, but suddenly, at about 65m/h, I felt the car losing power. I could not speed up anymore: the car did not respond to the gas pedal and the speed dropped to about 40m/h. The orange engine light started to flash on the dashboard. A truck nearly piled on me from behind. Cars and trucks from behind had to switch lanes quickly to avoid collision. I was able to pull over to the shoulder and stopped with my emergency light on. I turned off the engine for about 10 minutes, then I restarted the car again and got back on the road. This time, everything seemed normal, but I was so scared and worried the car might suddenly not respond again. Fortunately, I was able to get home eventually without any additional problems.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-25
- VIN: 5J8TC2H56ML
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: The rear glass shattered by itself wild parked. This is an ongoing issue. I know of a few people with the same vehicle as me, same year and all and they had to replace the rear glass a few times. Acura needs do a recall on the 2021 RDX. Thanks God it happened wild the vehicle was parked. If this would have happened on the highway it would have definitively cause some damages to other vehicles or even an accident.
POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-06
- VIN: 5J8TC1H53ML
- Components: POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS,SEATS
- Summary: This is my second complaint to NHTSA. I purchased my certified pre owned Acura on 01/06/2024 After I added my Acura to my Car Insurance. They notified me and told me that there is an open Recall Associated with my vin number. That recall is for a (seat weight sensor) RECALL # 24v-064000 RECALL DATE 02/01/24 -- REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE. I filed a complaint with NHTSA ID# 11572570. After I filed my first complaint I found another unrepaired recall for my vin number Recall date 02/12/2021 NHTSA # 21v93900 For the power train drive shaft I'm not sure exactly what happened with this specific recall. I also wanted to add to my complaint that since my vehicle is a certified pre owend. I never received a complete inspection report indicating all the components inspected prior to selling me the vehicle. Now that I'm searching through all my paperwork. I also am hesitant with the interest rate. I put $20000 down on the vehicle. And I have excellent credit and my interest rate is 8.99% I also had to pay for the warranty.
AIR BAGS,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-11
- VIN: 5J8TC1H53ML
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Approximately on 2/10/2024 shortly after i added my 2021 Acura to my auto policy my insurance co. GEICO notified me about the open recall. Nobody else has notified me on the open recall. I just purchased the vehicle on [XXX] from Autonation Acura In Torrance California. The recall notice Says "there is no remedy availableI" i purchased this beautiful CPO vehicle and I put $20,000 cash ( debit card) as a down payment and I had to pay additional costs for the extended 9 yr. warranty. I financed the rest. The vehicle price was $31.000 with 20.000 miles on it. The total costs $44.000. I haven't even made my first payment yet which is due february 20, 2024. My interest rate is high 8.99 is the rate and I have excellent credit. I've only put 20 miles or less on the car since I bought it. My auto Insurance Company now recommended that I do not drive it. My auto insurance could possibly go up in cost as well. I have not drove the car since I learned of the recall. I want my money back and I want to return the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-20
- VIN: 5J8TC2H30ML
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Since purchasing this vehicle new in August, 2020, I have noticed intermittent loud "popping" noises coming from the sunroof. This typically happens when driving over an uneven portion of the road and sounds like the glass is going to break. I am reporting this now because I have read numerous similar complaints by other RDX owners where in some cases, the glass has actually imploded.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-17
- VIN: 5J8TC2H31ML
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I’d like to report an issue with this vehicle’s app companion, AcuraLink. AcuraLink is the official app offered by Acura, which delivers features that allow an owner to control and manage their vehicle remotely. I use the app for remote smart. On 1/17 at approximately 8am, I opened the app and sent a command to start the vehicle. The command failed, and I received a failure message to indicate this. I tried three more times, each time receiving a failure message, so I gave up and manually started the car. Approximately 45 minutes later, the car was back in our attached garage, with the ignition off, and our garage door shut. I suddenly heard the car start while in the garage. I went out, shut the car off, and went back inside. Over the course of 30 minutes or so, the car started two more times, in my attached garage with the door shut. This is an extremely dangerous scenario due to the potential of carbon monoxide and dioxide exposure. If this had happened in the middle of the night, I would not have heard the car running in the garage. This may have resulted in grave consequences for my family. It was as though the app continued to send commands to the car even after failure errors were received by the operator. I reported the issue immediately to Acura and have heard nothing back. I searched for similar stories on the social media site Reddit under the Acura group, and found multiple Acura owners reporting the same issue.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-11
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, he entered and started the vehicle; the contact then shifted from park(P) to drive(D) and the gear shifter independently shifted back into park(P). The contact stated that the failure had occurred three times within several months. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the vehicle had been taken to two Acura dealers however, the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000. The VIN was unavailable.
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-29
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 5J8TC1H38ML
- Components: STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The panoramic sunroof exploded on our Acura RDX model 2021. Me, my wife and our 3 month old son were returning from dinner, we took the ramp and about to merge on a highway then we heard a loud and sudden explosive noise which scared all of us. Thank God we had the sunroof blind partially closed over the real infant seat, so the glass shatters left some minor cuts on my left forearm and back (glass pieces got between my back and driving seat). Also, the glass pieces did cut the sunroof blind/rolling cloth screen. We are glad that we made home safe and not sure what is the process of getting the issue fixed by the manufacturer and thorough cleaning up of the glass remains/dust. Please advise.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-20
- VIN: 5J8TC2H7XML
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: This morning (09/20/2023) - I was driving on the interstate (I-78 in Mississippi) - I heard a large bang/explosion and then began hearing external noise. I thought a tire on a vehicle nearby had blownout but realized the traffic near me was not slowing down. I pulled off the interstate and inspected my tires. Discovered all my tires were fine, but realized I could still hear the road. I discovered that my sunroof had exploded/shattered. I had not heard anything hit it or seen any debris flying through the air prior. Thank goodness my fabric divider was on and I did not have the sunroof open at the time - glass shards would have been all on me and throughout my car.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-17
- VIN: 5J8TC2H64ML
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while his son was in the car seat in the rear driver's side seat, he pulled the rear middle seat belt pretensioner and released it; however, the seat belt pretensioner retracted and tightened around his son's neck. The contact attempted to remove the seat belt, but the seat belt remained tightened. The contact stated that he used a utility knife to cut the seat belt. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-08
- VIN: 5J8TC1H72ML
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Since buying this car I’ve had a few occasions where the car has not slowed down and feels like the transmission is pushing the car more than it should under hard breaking.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-03-15
- VIN: 5J8TC2H73ML
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: The rear driver side seat belt has frayed repeatedly over the last 2 years. This puts my young child at risk of the seat belt failing in an accident. The seat belt has been replaced by the local Acura dealership 3 times, but the cause of the fray has not been identified. Fray #1 was first seen with a Nuna Rava child car seat installed in the forward facing configuration. The fray was in the upper section of the OE seat belt between the car pillar and where it exits the child car seat. It was replaced in March 2022. This was replaced on goodwill from Bob Lindsay Acura dealership. Fray #2 was noticed in the same location in the new (March 2022) seat belt and replaced in December 2022. This was replaced on goodwill from Bob Lindsay Acura dealership. Fray #3 was again noticed in the same place in the December 2022 seat belt and replaced in January 2023. This was replaced on goodwill from American Honda Motor Co., Inc. The original thought was the tension from the car seat was causing the fray in the seat belt; however, the dealership and Honda provided no reason or explaination for why the belt was fraying or possible remedy solution beyond directly replacing the seat belt. The child has since outgrown the Nuna Rava child seat in January 2023 and is now a Diono Monterey high-back booster seat. This Diono booster was installed at the same time as the January 2023 seat belt replacement. Fray #4 was seen in the January 2023 seat belt at the same general location as the previous frays on 8 June 2023.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-07
- VIN: 5J8TC2H58ML
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: On 10/2/2022 the rear glass shattered on my RDX for no reason. It was parked in the driveway. Safelight replaced the glass but was unable to get the glass out of the tailgate and shards were being randomly released. I then had the entire tailgate/glass replaced with original Acura tailgate/glass. On 5/7 /2023 the glass shattered again for no reason. Parked in the garage with door closed. I attached pics of both incidents. The last two pictures are from the 10/2 incident.
2021 Acura Rdx recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2021 Acura Rdx.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
- Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, and October 18, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
- Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Acura RDX and 2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. A component in the right or left front driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which could result in driveshaft failure.
- Consequence: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, or cause the vehicle to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the right or left front driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BBY, NBW, and OBX.
Negative 2021 Acura Rdx car reviews
Positive 2021 Acura Rdx car reviews
-
Beautiful car! I love the lovely interior. While the gas mileage isn't great (I've averaged 20mpg so far), the TouchPad has been easy to get used to, especially since I previously owned Mazdas. My only other gripe is that it seems odd that remote start isn't standard on a vehicle that was 48k when new, when Civics have it standard on most trims. Also, as an FYI, Aspec trims do not come with a spare tire.
-
This is my 2nd RDX and it still remains the most comfortable car I have ever owned, going back to the mid 60s. The maintenance has been in line with Acura's recommended schedule. While the combo mileage of 22-24 mpg could be better, it still has plenty of cargo room for camping outings.
-
It's a powerful, sleek, and smooth drive with a lot of tech features. It's definitely worth owning!
-
The 2021 RDX tech package is great! One of my favorite features is that you don't have to touch the screen, which means no more fingerprints! The mouse is easy to learn and much better for keeping your screen clean. I absolutely love it! It's comfortable and looks fantastic. While the performance could be a bit better, it's still okay. Overall, I'm really happy with it.
-
We leased a 2019 Acura RDX and now have a 2021 RDX. The improvements are definitely noticeable and measurable. The construction is solid, and the noise dampening has been improved, while the interior has been upgraded. The car handles more precisely and feels more responsive.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Acura Rdx problems:
2021 Acura RDX? : r/Acura
Nov 8, 2021 ... One issue some drivers experienced was the car shutting off in heavy rain or very moist conditions when heavy accelerating. This is because some ...
2021 Acura RDX Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
Jan 10, 2024 ... Common problems found on the 2021 Acura RDX include excessive brake wear, the engine stalling, along with a frozen stereo system. Overall, these ...
Any problems with the RDX? : r/Acura
Aug 24, 2021 ... Any problems with the RDX? · Infotainment system is sometimes problematic after you first start the car. Slow/unresponsive, audio glitches, etc.
Considering 2021 RDX, limp mode, loss of power still an issue ...
Jun 26, 2021 ... 3G RDX (2019+) - Considering 2021 RDX, limp mode, loss of power still an issue? - Hello. I'm considering the 2021 rdx, but have been reading ...
2021 Acura RDX Reliability - Consumer Reports
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · Body Hardware · Exhaust · In-car Electronics · Noises And Leaks · Electrical Accessories · Engine Major · Climate System · Drive ...
Other years of Acura Rdx
Are you having problems with your 2021 Acura Rdx?
Cary Gusikowski 2025-01-07
Firstly, it's important to note that Apple CarPlay is not a substitute for navigation. Additionally, I have experienced some issues with my brakes, which have required replacement twice before reaching 5,000 miles. There also seems to be a problem with the fuel/transmission, as an indicator light will occasionally come on and my car will not shift gears as it should. However, I have found that turning the car off and on again resolves the issue. Unfortunately, the backup camera is not very useful in rainy conditions, as visibility is poor. Furthermore, the panoramic roof tends to make creaking noises when going over bumps or entering driveways. While the air conditioning could be improved, I have found it to be adequate. Lastly, I have had some trouble with the trunk open button on the driver's door, as it only works when the vehicle is on and the doors are closed. Despite these issues, I believe that Acura could do more to address them. As someone who has worked in the automotive industry for 17 years, I have never experienced such poor customer service from a manufacturer. However, I would still recommend considering a Lexus instead. Thank you for your time.
Cesar Johns 2025-01-06
I recently purchased a new 2021 RDX A-Spec and noticed that the rear door hatch is uneven when closed. The left side has a small gap and the right side has a bigger gap between the door and the body panel. I took it to my dealer, Cerritos Acura in California, where I purchased the car. The service writer explained that this is a normal issue with these vehicles and there's nothing they can do about it. I spent $45k on this vehicle and having such a bad rear door hatch gap is really disappointing. I also noticed that the rear seal on the panoramic sunroof is higher on one side than the other and received the same response from the dealership. They said it's a normal issue with these vehicles, which is like telling you to just deal with it and not complain. I understand that nothing can be done about it, but I wanted to make others aware of these issues when purchasing this vehicle. Please inspect your vehicle closely for any factory defects.
Giovanny Rutherford 2024-11-17
I had some issues with my Acura RDX, particularly with the infotainment system. Unfortunately, the system would crackle and pop when using Apple CarPlay, which was quite distracting. Despite bringing it to the dealership and even contacting Acura corporate, the issue persisted. Additionally, I experienced a serious safety issue when my 21 RDX stalled out while passing a truck at 80mph. It's concerning that others are having similar issues, and Acura seems to be unaware of the problem. While I appreciate the affordability of the Acura brand, I would recommend considering other options, such as German-made small crossover SUVs. Consumer Reports ratings are quite favorable towards the Germans these days. Ultimately, it's important to prioritize safety and reliability when choosing a vehicle.
Remington Emard 2024-10-15
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with my RDX that I bought about a month ago. Unfortunately, I've been hearing a rattle sound by the dash area when going over bumps. I took it to the dealer and they replaced some clips, but the noise is still significant. As someone who has owned several Acura products over the years, I'm a bit concerned about the reliability of this one. I'm not sure if I would consider another Acura product. Thanks for listening!
Orin Casper 2024-10-13
Firstly, I would suggest saving your money and considering a Honda equivalent. While the Acura may not have the best gas mileage, it does have a comfortable interior and a decent appearance. However, if you are looking for a more refined car, I would recommend looking into an Infinity. Overall, it's important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!