2014 Acura RDX Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2014 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s and passenger’s side headlights were very dim. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the headlight bulbs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ID

11754763

Incident

Apr 4, 2026

Mileage

118,000 mi

The low beam headlight projector lens has degraded to the point of being extremely unsafe and therefore unable to drive at night. Repair for the defective headlight is costly and should be addressed by Honda/Acura as it is a HUGE safety concern. Acura recalled/replaced the defective lens on the 2014-2015 RLX model but has chose not to do so on the RDX with the exact same problem.

NHTSA ID

11748435

Incident

Nov 30, 2025

Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding an unresolved airbag system failure in my Acura vehicle, and the lack of a timely or safe remedy despite the issue being acknowledged and covered under a manufacturer warranty extension. The airbag system in my vehicle was first diagnosed as failed in September 2025 by my local mechanic and shortly thereafter confirmed by an authorized Acura dealership. The defective component (part number 77810TX4-A40ZA) is currently on backorder and has been unavailable for several months. I have been placed on a priority waitlist, but no estimated timeline for repair has been provided. This issue is particularly concerning because it directly affects the vehicle’s safety systems. I have effectively been driving a vehicle without functioning airbags since the initial diagnosis. Despite the clear safety risk, Acura has not provided an adequate interim solution. Given the seriousness of the issue, I recently requested a loaner vehicle from Acura so that I would not have to continue operating an unsafe vehicle. This request was denied, and I was informed that I am not eligible for a loaner, despite the known safety defect and lack of available repair parts. Additional details: Case manager: [XXX] Acura case number: XXX Initial escalation email thread began: December 23, 2025 Ongoing communication: Weekly follow-ups with no resolution or part availability I believe this situation represents a significant safety concern and a lack of appropriate response from the manufacturer. Consumers should not be expected to operate vehicles with known, unresolved safety system failures for extended periods without access to safe alternatives. I respectfully request that this matter be reviewed and investigated to ensure accountability and to prevent potential harm to drivers and passengers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11734419

Incident

Sep 19, 2025

My main headlights became DIM after 7 years of ownership. I have gone to the Dealership and had BOTH bulbs Replaced with No Visible Improvement in the Brightness. Given the age of my car, I've also had the Lenses Polished to ensure there's no significant Film on the Outside. Again... No Improvement in the Brightness of the lights. I asked the techs at the Shop about the problem and they said they haven't seen any systemic problems. I'm concerned as this is a Safety Issue and my work does have me driving at night on occasion.

NHTSA ID

11723739

Incident

Jun 25, 2021

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Acura RDX. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 92,551. The Carfax Report sent from the dealer indicated that the mileage was 93,000. After retrieving a Carfax Report, the mileage was 162,551.

NHTSA ID

11723690

Incident

Feb 18, 2026

Mileage

162,551 mi

The low beam headlights on my 2014 Acura RDX are too dim to allow safe night driving. An independent service provider confirmed the headlight coating is causing a "cataract" type effect on the inside of the lamp. The bulbs were switched to brighter LED lights, but there is no significant improvement. It seems the next step is to replace the entire headlight assembly which would be an out of pocket expense of at least $1000.00. This is a failure of the low beam head light manufacturing which has made my vehicle impossible to drive at night unless the high beams are used.

NHTSA ID

11720027

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

Low beam headlights degrading. Car is unsafe to drive at night! Tried changing light bulbs but does not improve light quality. Dealer said it was an Acura issue. The problem has been getting progressively worse.

NHTSA ID

11716721

Incident

Feb 6, 2026

Low beam Headlights degrading from reflector delamination. Car is unsafe to drive at night. Changing lightbulbs does not improve light quality. Issue has been getting progressively worst each year to a point where the car is not drivable at night

NHTSA ID

11710273

Incident

Jan 11, 2026

I purchased this 2014 Acura RDX in 2016, a Certified Pre-Owned with original 28,000 miles, from Price Acura in Dover, DE. VIN # [XXX] . The car is very well maintained; garage kept and consistently follows the regular maintenance schedule. The current mileage is 143,968. I have voiced my concern to the Price Acura dealership regarding the ongoing issue with the headlights. The combination of heavy oxidation, internal condensation, and water seepage has gotten worse over time, causing very dim, unsafe low beams even after bulb/lens restoration. This issue is NOT normal wear and tear but is a defective seal or manufacturing issue. I’ve had to use my high beams to see while driving at night, but with oncoming traffic having to turn them off and on, not to impact other drivers, it is not safe. This issue has worsened, has negatively impacted my safety driving at night, most recent the driver side low beam headlight burnt out while I was traveling along back roads at night. After researching this issue, I learned this is a widespread problem and replacing the low beam headlight bulb is not the answer, and that the entire headlight assembly needs to be replaced, which I found is very costly. I am a loyal Acura customer with over 10 years of ownership. Given this widespread problem and my loyalty, I’m hoping for some manufacturer assistance, perhaps a covered repair, partial credit, or guidance getting help to cover this costly defect. Would you please advise of any cost effective service or potential solutions to resolve this known problem. As it stands, this issue has limited me to daylight driving only until this issue is properly fixed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11708282

Incident

Dec 31, 2025

The headlights are unsafe with dim low beam projectors even after trying a couple sets of new bulbs. Here are the Part Numbers for reference 33100-TX4-A12 33150-TX4-A12 There is a significant safety issue requiring replacement of components that should not need replacing.

NHTSA ID

11706858

Incident

Dec 23, 2025

We are noticing what many others are with similar age RDX models - the headlamp assemblies are terribly dim leading to low visibility without using the high beams (not always possible). We have replaced the headlamps with really high output ones, with no real difference. The faulty inside of the headlamp assemblies are making it much harder to see at night, especially in rain or other bad weather. At highway speeds, we rarely see obstacles until we're right on top of them.

NHTSA ID

11703941

Incident

Dec 9, 2025

Acura RDX headlight problem, dimming headlights, which is a known issue according to the Acura dealership service department in Brentwood, TN. The Acura technician stated that this is often caused by delaminating reflector film, and flickering headlights, which can result from faulty relays or wiring. The dimming makes it hard to see while driving during sundown. Driving with the high beam on causes problems for oncoming traffic. Acura acknowledged the issue, and a recall addressed the delamination issue for some models, but not the 2014 RDX. For my models, Acura stated the internal reflector is damaged, and replacing bulbs will not help. The most effective solution is to replace the headlight assembly or the entire projector housing, which can be a costly repair.

NHTSA ID

11700197

Incident

Dec 9, 2024

The low-beam projector headlights in our 2014 Acura RDX have become extremely dim over time, which is making the car very unsafe to drive at night because we cannot see well enough. The dealer inspected them in 2024, and stated the dim lighting is due to oxidation of the interior projector lenses. This sounds similar to other complaints that the internal reflective material in the low-beam headlight assembly delaminates or fogs up due to heat, significantly reducing light output. It also sounds similar to a recall issued for the 2013-2014 Acura ILX due to headlight problems. The dealer provided a $2500 quote to replace the headlight assemblies. They have not been inspected by anyone else. They have not been replaced yet and are available for further inspection. This defect has been particularly dangerous because our eyes adjusted to the gradually diminishing light output over time so we, and I suspect many other drivers, have been unaware of the danger we’ve been in until the problem became severely obvious and other drivers also began informing us.

NHTSA ID

11699679

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

The low beam is very dim at night regardless what bulb I've installed. The reflective material inside the projector housing is no longer working.

NHTSA ID

11699618

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

The drivers side headlight does not work. If it does work initially upon turning on, when the car brakes, the light flickers and then goes out. I have replaced the light bulb three times and it doesn't fix the problem. My mechanic said there is no way to fix it and sometimes this happens with the type of light bulbs this car uses. It seems to be electrical that the brake or motion of the stopping causes the light to shut off and I can't get it to turn back on so I either have to not drive at night or drive with my high beams on - both of which seem unsafe. Another reason i'm thinking it could be electrical is that the lock beep noise and lights flashing rarely works anymore and if it does, it's very faint.

NHTSA ID

11693586

Incident

May 1, 2025

Base model Halogen headlights project unsafe low light after defects in the projection reflector assembly delaminate. Light output at night is completely unsafe to drive. Acura knows it’s a defective part and will not offer fix other than full replacement of entire headlight assemblies at a cost of approximately $3,000. Major safety issue making a car unsafe to drive at night, all due to a poor design and defective reflective coating used on projector part of headlights.

NHTSA ID

11691707

Incident

Sep 20, 2025

Low beam headlights do not reflect. I can barely see when driving at night due to the low beams. I replaced the bulbs with a high grade brand and restored the lenses to the housing unit and they are very clear. The Reflector or Housing is degraded so the bulbs do not shine bright enough. This is a serious safety issue. I almost hit a deer that I couldn’t see in my neighborhood. We have great street lighting and it was 7:50pm so not very dark.

NHTSA ID

11691408

Incident

Oct 4, 2025

Acura recalled 2014 vehicles for delamination of reflector film within headlights that results in decreased light output. The RDX was not included, but many - like mine - have experienced this issue. I purchased the RDX in 2017 from an Acura dealer as a certified, lease return vehicle. I began to notice dimming of the low beams within the first year. I had the plastic outside of the headlights restored. No change. The low beams became unsafe. The dealer’s service department was aware of a recall on other models when I mentioned it. They provided me with a number to call American Honda. When I called they acknowledged the issue, but refused to help or provide any financial assistance to purchase new headlight assemblies. I was advised by my mechanic to use my high beams as they were brighter. The low beams barely light up the bumper - no projection. @12 lumens or = 3-5 watt nightlight bulb.

NHTSA ID

11685081

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

I came close to striking certian low lining dividers, etc.... It is very well known That RDX around my build date Main headlight projector reflector burns out. I found out that Acura had a mandatory NHTSA recall to that era ILX for this same issue and Nissan has just settled a class action lawsuit for the same issue. The headlights were all manufactured by National Automotive Lighting (NAL). and the reflective coating inside the projector lens burns in time due to high lightbulb heat. When will this be recalled?

NHTSA ID

11682459

Incident

Jul 8, 2025

Vehicle Make/Model/Year: 2014 Acura RDX Component: Exterior Lighting – Headlights (Low Beam) Summary of the Problem: My wife drives a 2014 Acura RDX. A few years ago, she mentioned that the low beam headlights seemed unusually dim at night. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but after driving the vehicle myself more recently, I confirmed the issue—the low beams provide very poor visibility, making night driving hazardous. To address this, I replaced the bulbs with new ones, but it made no noticeable improvement. After researching online, I discovered that many other owners of the 2013–2014 Acura RDX have reported the same issue. It appears this may be a widespread defect with the headlight housing or reflector design, rather than just a bulb issue. I also found articles and forum posts online where some people resolved the issue only by replacing the entire headlight assembly, which is a costly fix. This suggests the problem may lie in a design flaw rather than normal wear and tear. Given the safety implications of limited nighttime visibility, I believe this deserves further investigation.

NHTSA ID

11667065

Incident

Jul 30, 2022

While driving I have no headlights. Had bulbs replaced but still doesn’t work. Can’t drive at night since purchased. Have only high beams but very low. While driving almost got in accident. Complaints are numerous on social media for 2014 Acura RDX. No one does anything to fix problems. Acura dealer charged 129.00 for headlights still not working and said no recall. This is extremely dangerous. Thank you for your help in this matter

NHTSA ID

11665502

Incident

Jun 6, 2025

The vehicle's low beam headlights are getting progressively weaker. They are now dangerous, because they do not illuminate the road ahead at night. I have replaced the bulbs and it does not help. This is a safety issue. I am the original owner and have owned 10 cars in my life and have never had this issue. There is something wrong with the headlights.

NHTSA ID

11662856

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Over time, I noticed the low beam headlights seemed dimmer and attributed it to my older eyes and night driving. (the high beams work great) Yes, it's available for inspection Currently it's nearly impossible to drive at night without using the high beams. This is only an option when there's no oncoming traffic. There have been times when I've had to use the high beams with an oncoming car (safety issue) or stop driving until I can safely use the high beams again. We don't use the car at night! The above issue makes it unsafe for us to drive in the dark. While we haven't had any accidents, the possibility is extremely high under these conditions. I had the car evaluated for the issue, they suggested calling an Acura dealer. Their cost to replace the headlights is $3145.71. I've read all over the internet and on this site, the number of drivers with the same issue. Similar years and other models have been recalled for this issue. Please address this concern. Thank you

NHTSA ID

11660615

Incident

Oct 29, 2024

Low beam headlights are very dim, making it difficult to see at night. I believe this puts me, as well as other drivers at serious risk of injury. I see many other reported issues with the low beam headlights being too dim, but evidently Honda/Acura has not recalled my car (yet).

NHTSA ID

11655190

Incident

Apr 17, 2025

the steering wheel sticks and got stuck while driving

NHTSA ID

11654007

Incident

Apr 10, 2025