RoadVitals

2012 Acura RDX

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
15
Latest Nov 3, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 6, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 15 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Acura RDX, most frequently naming the airbags, steering and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 52 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags635.3%
  • Steering211.8%
  • Electrical211.8%
  • Engine211.8%
  • Powertrain (other)211.8%
  • Driver assistance15.9%
  • Exterior lighting15.9%
  • Body & structure15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V182000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mar 6, 2019
1,101,534 units potentially affected
The 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 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number U40,M45,O41,G44View on NHTSA.gov
16V061000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Feb 3, 2016
2,232,187 units potentially affected
The 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 be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number JY0, JY1, JY2View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 15
Electrical
Filed Nov 3, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Acura RDX. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 148,000. However, following an oil change service, it was later discovered that the actual vehicle mileage was 248,553.

NHTSA ID
11697171
Incident
Nov 3, 2025
Mileage
248,553 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 28, 2018

AMBOS FOCOS DELANTEROS SE OBEDECEN, LAS FECHAS EXACTAS CUANDO LO LLEV AL DEALER PARA GARANTA DE LOS FOCOS NO LA RECUERDO, PERO FUI EN VARIAS OCASIONES. ME INFORMARON QUE LA ESPECIFICACIN DEL FABRICANTE ERAN FOCOS AL AIRE, Y QUE POR ESO SE HUMEDECIAN Y NO TENAN GARANTA, QUE TODOS LOS DE ESE AO VINIERON AS. ME CONFIRM Y NO REGRES PARA ESE PROBLEMA., AUNQUE NO TIENE LGICA, SE COMPRA UN AUTO PARA QUE FUNCIONE TODO NORMAL Y ESTE NO ES EL CASO DE AMBOS FOCOS. AL PASAR EL TIEMPO EL PROBLEMA SE HA AGRAVADO PORQUE SE HUMEDECEN MAS Y AFECTA LA VISIBILIDAD. LLAM NUEVAMENTE AL DEALER PERO ME INFORMARON LO MISMO, LES INFORM QUE FUI EN EL PERIODO DE DE GARANTA Y NO LOS REEMPLAZARON Y AHORA ES PEOR Y QUE NI ES CIERTO QUE TODOS LOS DE MI AO ESTN AS PORQUE LOS QUE HE VISTO QUE ESTN BIEN. AGRADECER PUEDAN V VERIFICAR MI SOLICITUD EN EL DEALER Y RESOLVER EL INCONVENIENTE. GRACIAS

NHTSA ID
11132058
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Filed Sep 4, 2018

VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK AND CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR OTHERS AND THE PERSON DRIVING THE CAR. ONCE THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN THE CAR WILL NEED TO BE PUT IN PARK, TURNED OFF AND COMPLETELY RESTARTED AGAIN. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES RANGING IN SPEEDS FROM 0MPH TO 70MPH WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS WAY. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND STATIONARY AS WELL. IT HAS HAPPENED AT A STOP LIGHT AS WELL AS ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
11124195
Incident
Jun 16, 2018
Mileage
73,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 21, 2018

TAKATA RECALL. THE DRIVER AIR BAG WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED. WHEN I QUESTIONED WHY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT BEING REPLACED ALSO. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NOT BEING RECALLED. I ASKED IF IT WAS A TAKATA AIR BAG. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT ANSWER. ONLY SAYING IT WAS NOT BEING RECALLED. MY COMPLAINT IS: I DO NOT KNOW IF MY FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IS SAFE FOR THE RIDERS IN MY CAR.

NHTSA ID
11074082
Incident
May 15, 2016
Mileage
38,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 21, 2017

I NOTICED VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AS IF I HAD FLAT TIRES, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS ACCELERATING. AFTER A WEEK I HAD MY SUV CHECKED AT THE GARAGE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT AND LEFT LINE AXLE ASSEMBLIES WHICH WAS QUITE EXPENSIVE. THE MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY FINISHED AND FOUND IT HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR A 2012 ACURA RDX.

NHTSA ID
11035418
Incident
Oct 20, 2017
Airbags
Filed Aug 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) WAS ISSUED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10897070
Incident
Feb 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 9, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10894504
Incident
Feb 3, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jul 25, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE....UPDATED 10/11/16 *BF *CN

NHTSA ID
10888250
Incident
Apr 7, 2016

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B18-020

AIR BAGS

Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag Inflator for 2013-14 ILX Hybrid and Other Listed Years and Models.

B23040A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in rollover of internal chip memory. The rollover occurred on January 1, 2022 at 12:00AM local time

BPO05022022901

EQUIPMENT

Dealer message - American Honda is investigating a potential quality concern with RDX Accessory Cross Bar kit. Due to this investigation, American Honda is requesting all dealers to return any uninstalled inventory to American Honda for investigation and validation by the supplier.

B18-020

AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.

B18-020

AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; EQUIPMENT

Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.

B21120A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in "rollover" of the internal chip memory; the "rollover" will occur on January 1, 2022, at 12:00AM local time. As a result, the navigation date and time will be incorrect.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Acura RDX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025291044.7
2024112056.8
2023212046.6
2022312056.8
20211093052.9
20203395055.2
20194345055.0
2018761048.5
2017741154.8
2016402159.5
20154093161.0
20142403158.8
20131623160.0
2012Viewing152045.3
2011162043.5
2010222049.9
2009152046.0
2008333043.8
2007533051.6

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.