2013 ACURA RDX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
173
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
36
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2013 ACURA RDX
The 2013 ACURA RDX has received a total of 173 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. 36 technical service bulletins have been issued by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Exterior Lighting (82 complaints), Air Bags (34 complaints), and Visibilitywiper (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 2013 ACURA RDX
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2013 ACURA RDX, potentially affecting up to 3,537,890 vehicles.
Recall 19V182000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 1,101,534 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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...
View full details →Recall 16V061000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 2,232,187 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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.
View full details →Recall 13V143000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 204,169 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2013 ACURA RDX
173 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 ACURA RDX. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 82 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 34 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentelectricalnavigational Systemglobal Positioning System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringgear Box Other Than Rack And Pinion | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Headlights are very dim due to degradation of the reflective projection surface. Internet searches indicate this is a common problem for the 2013-2015 Acura RDXs. The only solution is to replace the entire headlight assembly.
Low beam headlight projector reflectors deteriorate making the low beam headlights unusable for safe driving. Entire assembly has to be replaced to remedy. Extremely common in this generation of Acura RDX based on internet searches.
2013 ACURA RDX. HEAD LIGHTS HAVE DIMMED WHERE ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HAD THE WHOLE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLIES REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP 11 months ago FOR $4,000. Still have same problem with new ones
The low beam headlights lights on my 2013 Acura RDX are very dim, and replacing the bulbs does not make any difference. I have read multiple reports that this is a common problem where the reflective material inside the projector style housing breaks down over time, and that the only fix is to replace the entire headlight assembly on both sides. Due to the poor lighting, I have had several near misses with other cars and obstacles that have been hard to see. Compared to other vehicles I have driven over by lifetime, this car really does has a significant safety problem. Headlight assemblies should not degrade this quickly, and replacing them is an expensive repair. I believe that NHTSA should investigate this issue for a potential recall, as not being able to see at night is a major safety issue.
My low beam headlights have diminished in their effectiveness / intensity over time such that I fear driving at night due to possible danger of an accident. If I do have to drive at night, I have to use my high beams...which is also totally unacceptable, and illegal in post places. I have taken the car to the Acura dealership to explain the problem and determine the proper fix. I felt like this should be covered under warranty, since this is a safety issue, no different than safety belts, air bags, etc. The Acura dealership tested the lights and acknowledged the problem, but stated there was no warranty coverage for the issue. The determined fix was to replace both headlight assemblies for a cost of approximately $2500. This is totally unacceptable in my opinion, given this a definite safety issue.
Safety Rating for the 2013 ACURA RDX
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2013 ACURA RDX in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2013 ACURA RDX
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) has issued 36 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2013 ACURA RDX. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
BPaS01222021907 — EQUIPMENT
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2013-2017 RDXs with a client complaint of paint peeling on the rear roof panel. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a...
BPaS12052020906 — EQUIPMENT
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2013-2017 RDXs with a client complaint of paint peeling on the rear roof panel. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a...
BPaS09102020904 — STRUCTURE
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2013-2017 RDXs with a client complaint of paint peeling on the rear roof panel. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a...
BPaS08242020903 — EQUIPMENT
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2013-2017 RDXs with a client complaint of paint peeling on the rear roof panel. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a...
BPaS08072020903 — STRUCTURE
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2013-2017 RDXs with a client complaint of paint peeling on the rear roof panel. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a...
BMV200502 — EQUIPMENT
Video Message - It concerns how to replace a leaky front rocker arm oil control valve. Due to a deteriorated lower gasket or an out-of-spec gasket groove, the front rocker arm oil control valve can leak in certain V6 models with variable cylinder management. To fix this issue service bulletin...
B20-014 — EQUIPMENT
Service Bulletin - The front rocker arm oil control valve is leaking.
B17-049 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
"Service bulletin - There is front brake noise during light brake pedal application. A vibration may also be felt through the steering wheel while braking. 2013-15 RDX and early 2016 RDX: Inspect the front brake discs for the proper date stamp. Then, either install new brake discs and pads, or...
B17-017 — POWER TRAIN
Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter. American Honda investigated the judder and found that the torque converter was not causing the judder and the transmission...
B17-018 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Service bulletin - After the software update, some vehicles based on how they are driven (extreme conditions) may still experience ATF deterioration after updating the PGM-FI or A/T system and the shudder may return. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter (TC). There is no damage to...
Showing 10 of 36 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2013 ACURA RDX
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the ACURA RDX
- 2008 ACURA RDX — 39 complaints
- 2009 ACURA RDX — 16 complaints
- 2010 ACURA RDX — 26 complaints
- 2011 ACURA RDX — 21 complaints
- 2012 ACURA RDX — 19 complaints
- 2013 ACURA RDX (current)
- 2014 ACURA RDX — 254 complaints
- 2015 ACURA RDX — 424 complaints
- 2016 ACURA RDX — 52 complaints
- 2017 ACURA RDX — 101 complaints
- 2018 ACURA RDX — 95 complaints
Other ACURA Models
- ACURA MDX — 4,187 total complaints
- ACURA TL — 4,042 total complaints
- ACURA TLX — 1,274 total complaints
- ACURA TSX — 849 total complaints
- ACURA INTEGRA — 755 total complaints
- ACURA CL — 730 total complaints
- ACURA RL — 523 total complaints
- ACURA LEGEND — 505 total complaints