2013 Acura RDX Problems

The headlight housings on this generation of 2013 Acura MDXs completely fail due to a design flaw that causes the housing to overheat and dim the lights to a dangerous level. At night, you would be safer if you were driving with flashlights taped to the hood of the vehicle. I’m sure this has caused numerous wrecks for 2013-2015 MDX owners as it is a widely reported issue that needs to be fixed asap before more people perish. Please do something about this as it is not just a select few lemons but it is nearly every 2013 Acura MDX out there with the same OEM housings. Lives could depend on fixing this issue. Please hear this out.

The headlights do not produce enough light to see the road. Every time the car is driven at night it is extremely dangerous.

NHTSA Safety Complaint – Acura RDX Driver-Side Airbag Module Availability Vehicle: 2013 Acura RDX VIN: [XXX] Component: Driver-Side Airbag Module Part Number: 77810-TX4-A40ZA-MOD My 2013 Acura RDX was vandalized in January 2026, and the driver-side airbag module was stolen. My mechanic contacted Rallye Acura to obtain the required replacement OEM part. The required component is the Driver Side Air Bag Module, Part No. 77810-TX4-A40ZA-MOD. The replacement part was ordered, but it has remained on critical back order for more than six months. Acura opened Case No. XXX; however, despite repeated communications, Acura has been unable to provide any estimated availability date or a timeline for resolution. Because this is a safety-critical component, the vehicle cannot legally be driven without the required airbag module. As a result, my vehicle has remained unusable for more than six months while I continue to incur insurance and ownership costs. I have repeatedly contacted Acura regarding this matter, including escalating the issue directly to the President and CEO of American Honda Motor Co. Despite this escalation, I continue to receive the same response that there is no estimated availability date for the part. I have also found similar complaints from other Acura RDX owners involving the same driver-side airbag module and the same part number, reporting prolonged delays and critical back-order status. I am concerned that owners of affected Acura RDX vehicles are unable to obtain a critical safety component within a reasonable timeframe. I request that NHTSA review whether this represents a broader safety-related issue involving the availability of replacement driver-side airbag modules for these vehicles. Thank you for reviewing this complaint. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I have a code on my Acura regarding the driver side airbag. The code is 11-10, covered under service bulletin: 18-020, noting defects in the driver side air bag module. I brought my vehicle in to Hall Acura in November 2025 where this was officially diagnosed and a order was placed for a part on back order (Part Number: 77810-tx4-a40za). To this date, the part continues to be on "critical back order". I have escalated this to Honda Corporation and opened up a case with their office (Case Number: XXX). I receive weekly emails stating that they are working on this but the part is still on critical back order. I have pushed to escalate this further and they state this is all that can be done. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

In the headlight assembly the main headlight bowls are deteriorated/defective. The amount of light that the regular low beams or high beams provide at night is insufficient. This makes driving at night with the factory assembly lights highly dangerous.

After 10 years, the low beam headlights have become very dim to the point that it’s difficult and unsafe for myself and other drivers for me to drive this car at night, especially in the fog or rain. Apparently this won’t be fixed by simply replacing the bulbs and will be a costly repair at no fault of the owners. I agree with many others that this needs to be a recall fix.

See attached document for complaint

I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH WHEN YOU ACCELERATE, THE TRANS JERKS & FLUTTERS, WHICH IS QUITE DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. I WOULD LIKE THIS CHECKED INTO & SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT, AS I LOVE MY CAR, BUT THAT IS A DANGER NOT ONLY ME & MY FAMILY BUT OTHERS AS WELL. THERE IS ALSO A LOUD CLANGING NOISE IN THE REAR, LIKE SHOCKS. I DO NOT LIVE OR GO DOWN BUMPY DIRT ROADS OR MESSED UP ROADS WITH POT HOLES. BUT FOR MY CAR TO BE THIS NEW, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BAD SHOCKS ALREADY. AS THIS IS CONCERN OF MINE & BY READING OTHERS AS WELL.

On 3/26/2026 a symbol of an engine appeared on my dash. Then several minutes later the car began running very rough and numerous warnings signs came on including Check Engine, Check AWD System, Check Power Steering System, Check Uphill Assist system and others. I took the car to my mechanic this morning and after checking various systems he determined the Cylinder Deactivation system was not performing properly. He replaced the spark plug for cylinder 3 and confirmed the ignition coil is functioning properly. He was not able to correct the problem and said I should contact the dealer as he thought Honda had issued an extended recall on the Acura 2013 RDXs because of this problem. He said this malfunction has caused my AWD system to be disabled. I called the dealer and they said there was no recall for this issue. I have an appointment on 3/31 to have them check it out. My car only has 83,635 miles on it.

Ofttimes when parking the car does not fully shut off because the accessory mode fails to shut off. I have to restart the car and put it in gear go forward or backward attempting to shut off everything several times before the car fully shuts off. I have had to purchase a new battery because the car failed to shut off when parked by an attendant. Sometimes it will take me at least six (6) attempts before the car finally shuts off. Thanks!

I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH WHEN YOU ACCELERATE, THE TRANS JERKS & FLUTTERS, WHICH IS QUITE DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. I WOULD LIKE THIS CHECKED INTO & SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT, AS I LOVE MY CAR, BUT THAT IS A DANGER NOT ONLY ME & MY FAMILY BUT OTHERS AS WELL. THERE IS ALSO A LOUD CLANGING NOISE IN THE REAR, LIKE SHOCKS. I DO NOT LIVE OR GO DOWN BUMPY DIRT ROADS OR MESSED UP ROADS WITH POT HOLES. BUT FOR MY CAR TO BE THIS NEW, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BAD SHOCKS ALREADY. AS THIS IS CONCERN OF MINE & BY READING OTHERS AS WELL.

PREMATURE FAILURE (50K MILES) OF REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. RESULTS IN EXTREMELY ROUGH RIDE AND POTENTIAL HANDLING PROBLEM.

On 3/26/2026 a symbol of an engine appeared on my dash. Then several minutes later the car began running very rough and numerous warnings signs came on including Check Engine, Check AWD System, Check Power Steering System, Check Uphill Assist system and others. I took the car to my mechanic this morning and after checking various systems he determined the Cylinder Deactivation system was not performing properly. He replaced the spark plug for cylinder 3 and confirmed the ignition coil is functioning properly. He was not able to correct the problem and said I should contact the dealer as he thought Honda had issued an extended recall on the Acura 2013 RDXs because of this problem. He said this malfunction has caused my AWD system to be disabled. I called the dealer and they said there was no recall for this issue. I have an appointment on 3/31 to have them check it out. My car only has 83,635 miles on it.

See attached document for complaint

MY TRUCKS HEADRESTS ARE TILTED SO FAR FORWARD THAT IT CAUSES SIGNIFICANT PAIN IN MY NECK. THEY CAME THIS WAY FROM THE FACTORY. I HAVE TO TURN THE HEADREST AROUND TO RELIEVE THE PAIN, WHICH THEN EXPOSES ME TO AN EVEN HIGHER RISK OF WHIPLASH. YOU IDIOTS AT NHTSA WHO CHANGED THE REGULATIONS SO THAT CAR MANUFACTURERS HAD TO BUILD THEM THIS WAY NEED TO REPEAL THE LAW.

THE BRAND NEW CAR WAS ON FIRE BY ITSELF ON OCTOBER 30, 2012. IT WAS AFTER THE HURRICANE SANDY. MY FAMILY WOKE UP BECAUSE OF SMELLING GAS FROM DOWNSTAIRS WHICH WAS THE ATTACHED GARAGE TO THE KITCHEN. WHEN MY HUSBAND OPENED THE KITCHEN DOOR TO THE GARAGE, HE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING BUT SMOKES. WE CALLED 911 AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS FIRE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE FIRE STARTED INTERNALLY AND SPREAD OUT TO THE GARAGE. THERE WAS SIGN OF WATER THAT GOT INTO THE GARAGE. HOWEVER, WHEN FIRE FIGHTER OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR, THERE WAS NO WATER IN THE GARAGE. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS FINE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT AREA AND THE NAVIGATOR AREA WAS TOTALLY MELTED DOWN. THERE WAS NO POWER IN OUR TOWN SINCE OCTOBER 29, 2012. THE CAR WINDOWS(SIDE AND THE TOP) WERE OPEN BY ITSELF. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE CAR CAUSED FIRE BY ITSELF. THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF CARS BUT I DID NOT HEAR THE FLOOD CAUSED THE FIRE WHICH WAS PARKED INSIDE OF THE GARAGE. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW AND HAD A TEMPERATE PLATE. THERE IS NO SMOKER IN MY FAMILY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA RDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE EPS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE EPS UNIT AND THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,559.

MY NEW 2013 RDX CAUGHT ON FIRE AT MY GARAGE IN THE DAY AFTER HURRICANE SANDY. ACURA AND AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY(PROGRESSIVE) INSISTS THAT THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE BY FLOODING. HOWEVER, CAR BATTERY AND ENGINE ARE FINE. ONLY FRONT SEAT, DASHBOARD, AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM WERE BURNED AND THE FIRE DAMAGED MY GARAGE TOO. FURTHERMORE IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE THAT FLOODING CAUSED FIRE AT ALL. I SHOWED MY RDX TO ACURA TECHNICIANS, BUT SILENT. ISN'T IT A DEFECT OF NEW MODEL? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA RDX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A LOUD EXPLOSION WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (ACURA OF LIMERICK, 77 AUTOPARK BLVD, LIMERICK, PA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED THE SUNROOF EXPLODED UNEXPECTEDLY. ITW WS REPLACED BY WISMERS AUTO INTERIORS - RECOMMENDED BY ERIE INS. CO. INSURANCE PAID EXCEPT FOR $50.00 DEDUCTIBLE. UPDATED 10/19/18*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS LOOSE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 50 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW GLASS CLICKED AND MOVED BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS. THE WINDOW WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

On 3/26/2026 a symbol of an engine appeared on my dash. Then several minutes later the car began running very rough and numerous warnings signs came on including Check Engine, Check AWD System, Check Power Steering System, Check Uphill Assist system and others. I took the car to my mechanic this morning and after checking various systems he determined the Cylinder Deactivation system was not performing properly. He replaced the spark plug for cylinder 3 and confirmed the ignition coil is functioning properly. He was not able to correct the problem and said I should contact the dealer as he thought Honda had issued an extended recall on the Acura 2013 RDXs because of this problem. He said this malfunction has caused my AWD system to be disabled. I called the dealer and they said there was no recall for this issue. I have an appointment on 3/31 to have them check it out. My car only has 83,635 miles on it.

WHEN VEHICLE IS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR GOING AT A CONSISTENT SPEED THERE IS A VIBRATION. VIBRATION GOES AWAY UPON ACCELERATION. IT DOES THIS AS WELL BETWEEN 4TH & 5TH GEAR. AFTER 55MPH IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. CALLED CREST ACURA AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE "DEACTIVATION OF CYLINDERS AND THAT IS WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO." I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED IT SHOULD NOT DO THAT. TOOK VEHICLE TO CREST ACURA ON 2/13/14 TO ADDRESS THE BLUE TOOTH THAT IS AWFUL AND HAD A TECHNICIAN RIDE WITH ME TO FEEL THE VIBRATION. THE TECH SAID THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE VIBRATION BUT ACURA HAS NOT COME UP WITH A FIX FOR IT. HE STATED HE HAD A CALL INTO ACURA. I WAS TOLD ONCE AGAIN THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO DO THAT BY THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE BLUETOOTH COMPLAINT IS: I CAN HEAR FINE WITH IT BUT PEOPLE CANT HEAR ME. THEY REPLACED THE BLUETOOTH MICROPHONE ON 2/21/14 BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE ACURA TO ADDRESS THESE 2 ISSUES AS I AM NOT THE ONLY ACURA RDX CUSTOMER TO HAVE THESE ISSUES. A VEHICLE OF THIS CALIBER SHOULD NOT VIBRATE! *TR

ON MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2020 I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 ACURA RDX AND EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER TRAIN. I CAME TO A RED LIGHT ON A TOWN STREET IN MIDDLEBURY, VT AND LET THE CAR NATURALLY DECELERATE. AS I APPROACHED THE CAR AHEAD OF ME, MY RDX VERY SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED. IT ACCELERATED VERY NOTICEABLY. FORTUNATELY, I BRAKED AND SWERVED IN TIME SO AS TO NOT REAR-END THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT MY CAR HAS DONE THIS. HOWEVER, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I WAS NEARLY IN AND JUST AVOIDED A COLLISION. I LOVE MY CAR. HOWEVER, I AM FRIGHTENED THAT I MAY INJURE MYSELF, A PASSENGER OR EVEN WORSE, ANOTHER DRIVER OR PEDESTRIAN. ALITTLE VEHICLE HISTORY ... I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AN ACURA DEALER IN SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT ONLY 4 MONTHS AGO IN FEBRUARY 2020. THE VEHICLE HAD 65 THOUSAND MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. IN THE NEARLY 4 MONTHS THAT I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, I HAVE PUT 3 THOUSAND MILES ON THE RDX. PRESENTLY, THE ACURA HAS 68 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE MANAGER [XXX]. [XXX] INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID -- OR AT LEAST 3 OR 4 QUARTS OF THE 8 TO 10 QUARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION -- SHOULD BE CHANGED. I SCHEDULED THE EARLIEST APPOINTMENT FOR TOMORROW, THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020. I AM 59 YEARS OLD AND HAVE OWNED A TOTAL OF 9 VEHICLES DURING MY LIFETIME. I HAVE NEVER, EVER EXPERIENCED A CAR SURGING FORWARD AND ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS NORMAL OR ACCEPTABLE, BUT I AM HOPEFUL THAT [XXX] PROPOSED SOLUTION OF REPLACING TRANSMISSION FLUID WILL SOLVE THIS ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ACURA RDX TECH VEHICLE VIOLENTLY UPSHIFTS WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. IT STARTED INTERMITTENTLY (TWICE BEFORE BUT NOT AS VIOLENT).ON INCLINES (LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA). YESTERDAY, WHILE GOING UP AN INCLINE TO PARK VEHICLE, CAR VIOLENTLY SHIFTED AND HIT A BUILDING RESULTING IN CRASHING INTO A BUILDING, DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG AND SOFT TISSUE INJURY OF DRIVER'S CHEST. VEHICLE IS WITH BALL ACURA AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED. CAR IS ONLY 1 MONTH OLD AND WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW (80 MILES). ACURAZINE COMMUNITY FORUM HAS ANOTHER INCIDENT THAT IS 100% SIMILAR TO WHAT OCCURRED WITH MY VEHICLE. USER NAME IS DIRVIN. *TR

MICHELIN PRIMACY MXM4 P235/60R18 TIRES WITH A LITTLE OVER 13000 MILES THAT CAME NEW ON 2013 ACURA RDX. WOULD NOT STOP ON A SLIGHT DOWN HILL ROAD THAT WAS DAMP. STARTING STOPPING AT A SAFE DISTANCE BUT ALL THEY WOULD DO WAS SLIDE AND SKID. STOPPED FINALLY WITH FRONT OF CAR SLIGHTLY IN ONCOMING LANE. JUST AS I GOT STOPPED A DUMP TRUCK WENT ACROSS IN THAT LANE RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD TRACTION PROBLEMS BUT THE FIRST TIME I ALMOST GOT IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. THESE TIRES ARE NOT SAFE ON WET OR DAMP ROADS. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH INTO PLACE.

THE CAR NOW HAS HAD TO GET TWO DIFFERENT WHEEL BEARINGS CHANGED (UNDER WARRANTY). PER DEALERSHIP, ITS A "KNOWN PROBLEM" WITH THE RDX. WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT 2 OUT OF THE 4 HAVE BEEN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND SOON I WILL BE OUT OF WARRANTY, WHAT IS MY RECOURSE AFTER THIS WHEN THIS A SUPPOSEDLY A "KNOWN PROBLEM" WITH THE 2013 RDX. *JS