RoadVitals

2013 Acura RDX Visibility Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Visibility reportsComplaints 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.
10
Latest Dec 26, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 162 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Acura RDX submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming visibility

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed Dec 26, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11632494
Incident
Dec 26, 2024
Exterior lightingVisibility
Filed Nov 4, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11623380
Incident
Nov 2, 2024
Visibility
Filed Jan 11, 2023

Headlight assembly units had to be replaced. Low beam light essentially non existent. As a 77 year old driver need bright lights. Truly a safety hazard issue . Replacement of bulbs 2 times with no improvement. Was told need new assembly. Same problem with Acuras in other years but recall not issued for 2013 RDX. Why not? A defect in manufacturing that will cost me several thousand dollars to fix.. That is not acceptable. Can't drivecar after dusk like this nor can I sell as is.

NHTSA ID
11501272
Incident
Dec 17, 2022
Visibility
Filed Oct 16, 2022

I was driving at low speed on a local street and the moon roof shattered suddenly with great explosive force. I wasn't injured because the carpeted moon roof shade was closed at the time. I was lucky because the kids were not in the vehicle. If the glass had rained down on the kids in the back seat, there would be injuries. There were no warning signs. Weather was nice partially sunny day at 70s on a Saturday. It was around 6 pm local time. Traffic was light. Nothing struck the vehicle. Dash camera recorded the sound on video. Road condition was good. I've done some research on the internet, and it seems like the moon roof glass shattering is common with Acura or Honda vehicles due to manufacturing or design defect.

NHTSA ID
11489459
Incident
Oct 15, 2022
Visibility
Filed Jul 4, 2022

Low beam Head lights are so dim that is so hard to see the road or people when driving at night.

NHTSA ID
11472285
Incident
Jun 24, 2022
Visibility
Filed Jul 2, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA RDX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND PART OF THE WINDSHIELD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THOMAS ACURA (LOCATED AT 580 S CITRUS AVE, COVINA, CA 91723, (626) 915-1602), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID
11229059
Incident
Jun 9, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 17, 2018

GLASS MOONROOF SHATTERED WHILE ON A SKI TRIP TO CANADA. WE WERE EXITING A GAS STATION AT LESS THAN 5 MPH. THERE WAS NOTHING OVERHEAD THAT MIGHT HAVE DROPPED ON THE CAR. THOUGHT AT THE TIME THAT IT MIGHT BE DUE TO EXTREME COLD. NOW READING THAT THIS HAS OCCURRED TO MANY PEOPLE IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

NHTSA ID
11162111
Incident
Feb 22, 2018
Mileage
47,500 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Sep 5, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
11124484
Incident
Sep 1, 2018
Mileage
66,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jul 8, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10883573
Incident
Nov 5, 2015
Mileage
15,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed Nov 24, 2012
Fire reported

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

NHTSA ID
10485884
Incident
Oct 30, 2012
Mileage
500 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .