2021 Acura RDX Complaints

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/18/2026

While driving only at 35 miles per hour down the XXX in [XXX] my panoramic sunroof suddenly bursts. A loud pop sound. This would have popped all over my body if I didn’t have cover up. This is an extreme problem as someone can die from this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE — Filed 07/13/2026

Vehicle lost all coolant and could be smelled. Vehicle was towed to dealership before it could overheat. Diagnosed with a cracked cylinder head at 88,000 miles. Vehicle has never been modified, tracked, nor has it ever overheated. All service has been performed on time and at Acura dealership since I purchased the vehicle brand new. Vehicle is still at dealership. I've researched and found many other owners experiencing the same problem with the crack occurring in the exact same spot on the cylinder head.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 07/15/2026

On or about XXX, my 2021 Acura RDX, with approximately 121,078 miles, suddenly displayed multiple dashboard warning lights and system-failure messages while I was driving. These included the check-engine light, Road Departure Mitigation System Problem, steering, stability-control, braking-assistance and other driver-assistance warnings. Earlier, the tire-pressure monitoring system had also indicated a malfunction even though the tire pressures were correct. The vehicle initially continued to drive and the conventional brakes appeared to function normally. However, it then began hesitating when I attempted to accelerate. The vehicle would eventually gain speed, but the initial hesitation created a serious safety concern when pulling into traffic or attempting to accelerate. The check-engine light remained solid while the vehicle was stopped but flashed whenever I began driving and accelerating again. No crash, fire or injury occurred. The vehicle had undergone a full diagnostic inspection approximately two weeks earlier, and I was informed that everything checked out properly. There were no known drivability problems before this incident, and the vehicle has been maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. The vehicle was subsequently inspected by Elite Acura, an authorized Acura dealership in [XXX]. The dealership confirmed a head-gasket failure and a problem with the rear differential left-side actuator. The dealer recommended replacing the head gasket, four spark plugs, coolant, oil and filter, as well as replacing the rear differential left-side actuator and changing the differential fluid. The estimated head-gasket repair was $5,391.46, and the estimated rear differential actuator and fluid service was $813.85. The dealer also recommended rear brake pads and rotors. The head-gasket and rear differential actuator problems were confirmed by the authorized Acura dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

POWER TRAIN — Filed 11/01/2025

A transmission fluid leak has been identified emanating from the passenger side output shaft seal, located between the transmission and the transfer case. This issue pertains to 2019–2023 Acura RDX and TLX models equipped with SH-AWD, specifically at the interface where the transmission connects to the front transfer case, which is responsible for power distribution to the rear wheels. It appears that the fitment tolerances at this connection point are problematic, suggesting a potential engineering deficiency that warrants a manufacturer-funded resolution..

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 10/29/2025

The contact owns a 2021 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while at a complete stop at a stop sign or traffic light, the engine auto stop-start system was inoperable upon depression of the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer initially suggested that the battery might require replacement. However, another dealer determined that the battery was functioning properly and exhibited no defects upon inspection. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 10/04/2021

The Auto High-Beam system activates the high beams inappropriately during operation. The system triggers the high beams directly into the eyes of oncoming traffic and activates during early dusk conditions. The sudden, intense illumination blinds oncoming drivers. This creates an immediate glare hazard and significantly increases the risk of a head-on collision. I reported this specific failure to the authorized dealership on three separate occasions, engaging three distinct service advisors during the active warranty period. The service department omitted these complaints from the formal repair orders. The first advisor stated the system was functioning normally. The second advisor stated the technicians completed an inspection and verified the system as fully operational. The third advisor acknowledged experiencing the exact same malfunction on their personal vehicle and instructed me to manually disable the safety feature. The system fails silently, displaying zero warning lamps or error messages prior to or during the malfunctions. The attached service invoices document a severe, underlying instability within the vehicle's electrical and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) network, culminating in a complete VSA modulator replacement. These records establish a confirmed administrative pattern of the dealership dismissing intermittent safety faults, officially logging statements such as "unable to verify issue" and "no problem found" on subsequent visits. This evidentiary paper trail substantiates the dealership's systemic suppression of my specific, repeated verbal reports regarding the Auto High-Beam safety hazard. The vehicle and the Auto High-Beam system remain available for inspection upon request.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/20/2026

On March 20th, my husband and I went out to dinner with three friends. We arrived around 6:50 PM and left our car with the valet. When we returned later that evening to pick up the vehicle, a valet employee approached us and asked us to walk with him to the car. The police were already present at the scene. The employee explained that when he entered the vehicle on the driver’s side to return it to us, he closed the door and immediately heard the sound of glass shattering. When we reached the car, we saw that the entire rear window had been shattered. The police later reviewed the surveillance footage and confirmed that the incident occurred exactly as described by the valet employee.

VISIBILITY — Filed 02/10/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Acura RDX. While driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal gunshot sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact inspected the exterior of the vehicle but found no failure. The contact stated that the following day, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the panoramic roof glass shattered, and glass shards fell inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.

VISIBILITY/WIPER — Filed 02/24/2026

Got in my vehicle as usual, started the vehicle shortly after I heard cracking thought nothing of it and all of a sudden the rear tailgate window shattered completely.

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 02/09/2026

- Rear window shattered without impact or any signs of stress. - Safety at risk if driving and breakage occurs. In this case I was away from the parked vehicle when the shattering occurred. - There are quite a few reports of this issue online in Facebook Acura owner groups and in published news stories such as this: [XXX] - In my case, it was inspected by the repair company and confirmed to be a common occurrence they are called to repair. - There were no warning lights or any signs of damage or stress to the glass. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)