2017 Acura RDX

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

airbag light came on in vehicle in Dec 2025. Took vehicle to local Acura dealer for service. they said a new airbag module part (77810-TX4-A40ZA) is needed. Been waiting 11 months for the part and only get no eta from corporate and the dealer. the vehicle is unsafe to drive without the part and we are left stranded with no vehicle to drive.

NHTSA ID

11772608

Incident

Jan 2, 2026

DTC Code is registering Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance stuck or off (P0741) This can lead to ruining my transmission. It was an extended warranty to 150,000 miles or 10 years for known issue. Service Bulletin 23-029. Honda corporate refuses to pay or let a more local Honda dealership repair and reimburse. They want me to go to an actual Acura dealership which is over 250-300 miles away. My car won't make it. I've asked regional Honda dealers if they will do it and they said yes, but every time my case manager reaches out she blocks me and says they can't submit payment with no explanation. Same tools, same fluids and same 6 speed transmission as a Honda Pilot or Accord. All I get is excuses because they don't want to pay and offer no resolution. Worst customer experience I've ever had and can't leave town with my vehicle!

NHTSA ID

11770940

Incident

Aug 29, 2026

The airbag light came on in XXX. on our 2017 Acura RDX. Took the vehicle to Acura Buerkle in [XXX] for service and to look at the light. We were told the vehicle is not safe to drive as the air bag sensor needs to be replaced. Initially the dealership gave us a loaner vehicle and then called and said they don't know when the part will be available and gave us a rental vehicle. That was in XXX. Every month since all we hear is there is no estimated time of delivery for the part. Today, XXX, received a call from the dealership telling us again no ETA on the part and we need to return the rental vehicle. Acura is not going to keep paying for a rental yet they continue to tell us us the vehicle is not safe to drive without the part, but they want us to pick up the vehicle anyway. Since the car has sat for 10 months, we now have to replace the battery, brakes and rotors. Escalated a complaint with Honda directly and the only response I get is a weekly email telling me no ETA on the part. Since the vehicle is not under warranty (extended warranty expired a few weeks prior to us bringing it in) this is the excuse they are using for not covering the rental. The dealership also said since this isn't a recall issue, there is not urgency to the matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11768629

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

I was driving on 94E/ in Illinois; suddenly, I heard a loud shattering sound. When I was able to exit the highway and check, I was shocked to see my sunroof had shattered! Nothing had hit the sunroof. It was a spontaneous break! If I hadn’t had the inside sunroof closed, glass would have hit me and my passenger.

NHTSA ID

11767169

Incident

Sep 25, 2026

DTC23-029 and SB P0741 “torque converter and transmission system problem” illuminated on dash. My vehicle is eligible based on 10 year or 150k miles per warranty extension however the dealership where I purchased the vehicle, A bra. Ananda, and A bra America are denying coverage for the needed replacement of the torque converter. The vin decoder verifies the vehicle was manufactured in Ohio, USA. Carfax states it was then exported to Canada for the Canadian market. The vehicle eventually came into the US. I purchased from an authorized A bra dealership in WA state. At the time of purchase I was never informed the vehicle was a grey market vehicle. I am now learning the severe ramifications of this material information as I am being denied cost to replace torque converter. Had Carter Acura of Lynnwood, WA fully disclosed my vehicle was imported and warranty extensions would not be honored, I would not have purchased.

NHTSA ID

11765382

Incident

Dec 17, 2021

TRANSMISION WARNING LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH SIDE WARNING INDICATOR , STAYS ON TILL VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF . THEN MAY OR MAYNOT COME BACK ON . VERY INTERMITENT.

NHTSA ID

11759968

Incident

May 1, 2025

I have been experiencing issues with the alarm system when I lock the car the alarm randomly goes off. I have had my battery replaced and it still happens. There is nothing touching the handles during these times, it happens randomly, something internal going on. The only way to be sure it won’t disturb my neighbors is to leave my door unlocked which is unsafe.

NHTSA ID

11755243

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss automotive power while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred on several different occasions. A dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure and stated that the failure was possibly caused by the torque converter however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11737421

Incident

May 12, 2024

Mileage

70,000 mi

Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator flashing “D” and sets DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off.

Owner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator flashing “D” and sets DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off.

Dealer Message - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock-up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the MIL not illuminating. “D” flashes and “Transmission Overheat” message appears setting DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck OFF.

Service Bulletin - The lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator flashing “D” and set DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck OFF.

Service Bulletin - The lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator flashing “D” and set DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck OFF.

Service Bulletin - The lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator flashing “D” and set DTC P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck OFF.