2014 Acura RDX Problems

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.

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.

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)

My 2014 RDX does not show to have an open recall based on my VIN but I am receiving an airbag warning and the make and model of my vehicle is included in the recall. I called the dealer where I purchased the vehicle and they said they don't have to honor the recall to replace the airbags. When I look up the warning message, my safety could be in jeopardy and this is my only vehicle. Please confirm who to contact or what options I have to pursue this complaint since the dealership confirms they did not perform a replacement of the airbags before I purchased this vehicle and I have never received a notice to replace the airbags in my 2014 RDX.

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.

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.

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.

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.

REAR ROOF BODY PAINT IS PEELING NEAR THE TAIL GATE. REAR SUSPENSION IS CLUNKING WHEN DRIVING OVER MINOR ROAD IMPERFECTIONS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA RDX. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLUCKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ACURA OF LIMERICK (77 AUTOPARK BLVD, LIMERICK, PA 19468, (610) 495-5888) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 09313264. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD SPLIT THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

1. FAULTY SHOCK ABSORBERS. THIS IS KNOWN THE PROBLEM WITH ACURA'S. MANY RDXS FRONT AND REAR SHOCKS MUST REPLACED, BEFORE 50,000 MILES 2. ABNORMALLY CORRODING BRAKE ROTORS. 3. FAULTY BUSHING ON SHOCK ABSORBERS. THIS CAR CLUNKS LIKE THE JUNK PILE IT IS. 4. DEALERSHIP REQUESTING TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE FLUID CHANGE, ON A 28,000-MILE VEHICLE

THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY 2014 ACURA RDX WORE OUT AFTER ONLY 15,000 MILES. THIS IS TWO TO THREE TIMES FASTER THAN ANY PREVIOUS VEHICLE. THEY WORE OUT SO QUICKLY THAT THE BRAKES WORE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE ROTOR CAUSING METAL TO RUB. *TR

THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY. THE STORY OF MY INCIDENT GOES AS FOLLOWS: I WAS DRIVING IN DRY CONDITIONS AS I APPROACHED A STOP LIGHT AND BEGAN TO APPLY THE BRAKES. ONCE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR THEN BEGAN TO SLIDE INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO STOP WAS BY PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK. LUCKILY THE OTHER DRIVERS WERE ABLE TO SEE SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND DID NOT PROCEED TO DRIVE THROUGH ME. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE! THE OTHER TIME I WAS DRIVING UNDER WET CONDITIONS AND THE CAR DID NOT EVEN COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT JUST CONTINUED TO SLIDE INTO THE INTERSECTION. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND LIFE! ACURA DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER INSPECTION AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CONTINUED TO DISMISS MY CONCERNS. *TR

RDX AWD UNDER ICY CONDITIONS CAN KILL TORQUE TO ALL 4 WHEELS. IN MY CASE AS SOON AS ALL TORQUE WAS LOST THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED SLIDING DOWN THE INCLINE. I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE IN A 180 DEG TURN AND SLIDE FORWARD DOWN THE HILL UNTIL TORQUE TO THE WHEELS WAS FINALLY RESTORED. THERE IS NO MENTION OF LOSS OF TORQUE IN ANY ACURA LITERATURE AVAILABLE TO ME AND ACURA REFUSED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AFTER THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED. I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. *TR

Certain areas of the roof and tailgate are peeling off, exposing bare metal. This is a one owner Car that has been garage since new.

REAR ROOF BODY PAINT IS PEELING NEAR THE TAIL GATE. REAR SUSPENSION IS CLUNKING WHEN DRIVING OVER MINOR ROAD IMPERFECTIONS.

WHEN COLD THE TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO SLIP AND THEN HARD SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. CITY STREETS AND STARTING FROM A FULL STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED FROM PURCHASE DATE IN DECEMBER 2014. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN TODAY 11/26/2018.

RDX AWD UNDER ICY CONDITIONS CAN KILL TORQUE TO ALL 4 WHEELS. IN MY CASE AS SOON AS ALL TORQUE WAS LOST THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED SLIDING DOWN THE INCLINE. I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE IN A 180 DEG TURN AND SLIDE FORWARD DOWN THE HILL UNTIL TORQUE TO THE WHEELS WAS FINALLY RESTORED. THERE IS NO MENTION OF LOSS OF TORQUE IN ANY ACURA LITERATURE AVAILABLE TO ME AND ACURA REFUSED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AFTER THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED. I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. *TR

I PARKED AND SHUT MY CAR OFF AT OUR LOCAL SHOPRITE PARKING LOT. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND MY SON WAS YELLING THAT HE COULDN'T GET OUT.THE SEATBELT HAD HIM TANGLED UP. I TOOK THE LATCH OFF AND TRIED TO LOOSEN THE SEAT BELT. HE TRIED PULLING THE SEAT BELT TO LOOSEN IT NOTHING. I TURNED THE CAR ON TO SEE IF IT WOULD LOOSEN THAT WAY NOTHING. I DROVE HOME. EVERYTHING WE ATTEMPTED THE SEAT BELT KEPT TIGHTENING. I TRIED PULLING IT OVER HIM UNDER HIM TOOK OFF HIS SHOES AND JEANS. REMEMBER IT WAS UNBUCKLED ALREADY. I GOT HOME AND TRIED TO UNSCREW THE BOLT THAT ATTACHED THE SEAT BELT TO THE CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, THE BIT WASN'T LONG ENOUGH. AT THIS POINT AN HOUR PASSED OF US TRYING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO GET HIM OUT. HIS STOMACH STARTED HURTING HIM. I HAD TO CUT THE SEATBELT. I WAS GOING TO CALL THE POLICE BUT I'M VERY HANDY AND I KNEW AT THIS POINT I HAD TRIED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE PLUS MY SON WAS IN PAIN, THE SEATBELT WAS HURTING HIS STOMACH. I HOPE SHARING THIS STORY HELPS OTHER PARENTS AND IF THIS HAPPENS TO YOU PLEASE REPORT IT. EVEN IF YOU ARE HANDY AND KNOW NOTHING CAN BE DONE REPORTING IT HELPS, THIS WAY IT'S NOT ONLY YOUR WORD. I BELIEVE SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH THIS SEATBELT DESIGN. ON ANOTHER NOTE, PEOPLE MIGHT THINK MY KID WAS JUMPING AROUND CREATING HAVOC BUT MY SON IS ACTUALLY VERY RESERVED AND QUIET.

WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF AT THE GAS STATION MY CHILD ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. UPON RELEASING THE DRIVER SIDE BACK SEAT, THE SEAT BELT HAD MY CHILD ENTANGLED TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THE SEAT BELT WAS UNBUCKLED/UNLATCHED YET IT SOMEHOW ENTRAPPED MY CHILD . I WAS UNABLE TO LOOSEN THE SEAT BELT AND IT CONTINUED TO RETRACT AND TIGHTEN ON MY CHILD. MY CHILD WAS ALSO UNABLE TO LOOSEN THE SEAT BELT WHICH WAS WRAPPED AROUND BACK AND STOMACH CAUSING PAIN AND DISCOMFORT. MY CHILD WAS UNABLE TO SIT OR STAND UPRIGHT AS I ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE SEAT BELT OVERHEAD OR BELOW STOMACH; CHILD WAS FORCED TO REMAIN IN A SQUAT-LIKE POSITION.I CONTINUED TO PULL AT THE TOP RE-TRACTOR IN THE HOPES OF IT "GIVING" AND LOOSENING BUT THE DEVICE FAILED TO "OVERRIDE." I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY TRIED, UNSUCCESSFULLY, TO LOOSE THE HARNESS THAT WAS CREATED BY THE SEAT BELT, NOR WERE THEY ABLE TO REMOVE THE CHILD. THE FINAL DECISION WAS MADE, BY THE CHIEF, TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE CHILD. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A DEVICE MALFUNCTION THAT IS A GRAVE SAFETY RISK OF STRANGULATION IF NOT PROPERLY REVIEWED AND REPLACED. I WAS EXPECTING THE BELT TO LOOSEN AFTER TUGGING AT IT AND THE FACT THAT TRAINED FIREFIGHTERS/PARAMEDICS COULDN'T PULL IT OUT IS QUITE ALARMING.

the steering wheel sticks and got stuck while driving

THE POWER STEERING JAMMED UP ABOUT 11 TIMES DURING A 1 MILE STRETCH OF ROAD - THE DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE PERFECTLY NORMAL - TRAFFIC AND I HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE 11 TIMES! THEN ON THE HIGHWAY IT AGAIN JAMMED UP AND I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRUCK SINCE I WAS TAKING AN EXIT. *TR

The contact owns a 2014 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that moments later the vehicle re-started independently and the operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. During the failure, the contact stated that the "Charging System" warning light continued to flash off and on. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.

WE HAVE TWO 2014 RDX'S. WIFE HIT A DEER WITH DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT LIGHT AND RIGHT FRONT QUARTER PANEL. SUPPOSE TO BE A 3700.00 REPAIR BUT WHEN BODY SHOP DROVE RDX INTO THEIR BUILDING IT CAUGHT FIRE AND NOW WE HAVE A TOTALED 40,000 RDX. EVERYBODY HAS SAID THEY CAN'T EVER REMEMBER A ACURA EVER CATCHING ON FIRE. IN TALKING WITH A ACURA MECHANIC HE MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT THEY HAD SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUES ON THESE VEHICLES BUT NOTHING WAS PROVEN. WE ARE WAITING ON THE RESULTS FROM THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS THAT THE INSURANCE PEOPLE HAVE HIRED TO TRY TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH IT'S MANUFACTURING OR SOMETHING ELSE THEY ARE ASKING IF ANY THING WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AND AS FAR AS WE KNOW IT WASN'T LEAKING SINCE WE KEPT DRIVING IT UNTIL WE TOOK IT TO THE BODY SHOP. MY PROBLEM IS I DON'T WANT TO PARK THE OTHER RDX IN MY GARAGE NOT KNOWING IF THE VEHICLE HAS A MANUFACTURING ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME TO DISCONNECT MY BATTERY CABLE IF I WAS WORRIED. I DON'T FINE THAT AS A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. THE OTHER PROBLEM WE HAVE IS THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AND THEY PULL IT INTO THEIR SHOP WHERE THEY HAVE WORKED ON HONDA'S AND ACURA'S FOR A LOT OF YEARS AND THIS MODEL CATCHES ON FIRE. SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT. MY WIFE TOOK SOME PICTURES ON HER PHONE OF HER RDX.

RDX AWD UNDER ICY CONDITIONS CAN KILL TORQUE TO ALL 4 WHEELS. IN MY CASE AS SOON AS ALL TORQUE WAS LOST THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED SLIDING DOWN THE INCLINE. I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE IN A 180 DEG TURN AND SLIDE FORWARD DOWN THE HILL UNTIL TORQUE TO THE WHEELS WAS FINALLY RESTORED. THERE IS NO MENTION OF LOSS OF TORQUE IN ANY ACURA LITERATURE AVAILABLE TO ME AND ACURA REFUSED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AFTER THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED. I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. *TR