2018 Acura RDX

The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the driver’s side air bag needed to be replaced; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact researched and was made aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ID

11750607

Incident

Feb 15, 2026

Mileage

89,000 mi

Vehicle Information: 2018 Acura RDX AWDAffected System: Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Torque ConverterAssociated Code/Bulletin: DTC P0741 / Acura TSB B23-029Complaint Description:The vehicle is experiencing a documented manufacturer defect covered under Acura Warranty Extension TSB B23-029, where the internal torque converter lock-up piston cracks, causing hydraulic fluid pressure to bleed down. A professional diagnostic scan confirmed active Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0741 alongside a flashing transmission "D" indicator on the dashboard.This mechanical component failure creates a severe, immediate safety hazard. Because the cracked piston allows the torque converter clutch to continuously slip under load, operating the vehicle at sustained highway speeds generates extreme internal friction and excessive hydraulic heat. This thermal buildup presents a high risk of sudden, catastrophic transmission failure, fluid vaporization, or powertrain lock-up while operating on public roadways.The manufacturer is actively exacerbating this safety hazard. Because there is no Acura dealership within a 90-mile radius, Acura Corporate Client Relations (Case #164446080) and the nearest authorized Acura dealership service manager have explicitly instructed me to drive the malfunctioning vehicle over 90 miles on the highway to reach their facility for service. The manufacturer is refusing to provide safe flatbed transport for this all-wheel-drive vehicle, forcing the consumer to choose between incurring massive private towing expenses or operating a vehicle with a known transmission overheating hazard on high-speed interstate systems. I am requesting an investigation into the unsafe logistical barriers the manufacturer is enforcing to avoid safely honoring this powertrain defect campaign.

NHTSA ID

11746842

Incident

Jun 23, 2026

The transmission went into limp mode one day after coming to a stop. When I safely got home, I turned the car off. Upon restarting, the issue was gone, but this has now happened several times. Each time, putting the car into park, shutting it off, and restarting it "resets" whatever was going on. Eventually the CE light came on, got the code, and it came back as P0873. The CE light was off after once again shutting the engine off and then restarting. I've purchased the necessary materials to complete the repair, but I've read on many forums this is a common issue, with some even reporting it recurring even after replacing the pressure switch. Acura should issue a recall and absolve all consumers of costs incurred. URLs provided below from Reddit threads and an Acura discussion forum regarding similar issues all over. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11746062

Incident

Jun 17, 2026

Was driving down the hwy with the sunroof open tucked inside the headliner when a loud sound startled me and when I shut the sunroof glass rained down All over me

NHTSA ID

11741418

Incident

May 28, 2026

When steady idle at 65 on the freeway the blind spot and check transmission light goes on flashes and stays on but when I shut off the vehicle and start it back up the light goes away.

NHTSA ID

11739120

Incident

May 19, 2026

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE BRAKING ON MORE THAN 1 OCCASSION

NHTSA ID

11717517

Incident

Jan 5, 2026

I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious transmission defect on my 2018 Acura RDX that materially worsened after an Acura-authorized warranty repair addressing a known torque converter defect. Acura issued a warranty extension / service campaign for the torque converter on certain 2017–2018 RDX vehicles. Prior to this repair, my vehicle did not exhibit any severe jerking, slipping, or unsafe shifting behavior. After the Acura dealer replaced the torque converter under this program, the vehicle immediately began experiencing violent and unpredictable jerking during gear changes, worsening over time. These behaviors create an unsafe driving condition, particularly in stop-and-go traffic, intersections, and merging situations. I returned the vehicle to the dealer multiple times after the repair. As the problem worsened, I provided video documentation clearly showing the abnormal transmission behavior. After further evaluation, the dealer acknowledged the issue and determined that the transmission requires replacement. Acura Corporate declined coverage, stating the vehicle was no longer under standard warranty, despite: -The issue beginning immediately after Acura’s warranty repair -The torque converter being an integral component of the transmission system -The vehicle being in a worse and unsafe condition after Acura’s work I am requesting that NHTSA: -Review whether Acura’s torque converter warranty extension repair fails to adequately address associated transmission damage -Determine whether Acura vehicles repaired under this program are being returned to consumers in an unsafe operating condition -Assess whether Acura is improperly denying responsibility for post-repair transmission failures directly related to related to the covered defect

NHTSA ID

11716752

Incident

Jun 15, 2025

The vehicle has developed a serious transmission defect involving harsh shifting, delayed engagement, and repeated slipping into neutral while driving. Since picking the vehicle up from Key Acura after an inspection, the condition has worsened significantly. The “Check Engine” light, the flashing “D” indicator, and the transmission warning light are now consistently illuminated. Prior to the dealer visit, these warning lights were intermittent; they are now on at all times. The vehicle can unexpectedly lose propulsion or fail to accelerate, which creates a safety risk during normal driving, especially when merging, crossing intersections, or turning. The symptoms are consistent with the known torque converter and transmission issues documented in Acura Service Bulletin 23‑029, which applies to 2017–2018 RDX models. The dealer inspected the vehicle but did not perform repairs, and the drivability and safety concerns have become more severe since the visit. Acura/Honda Client Relations has been contacted and a case is open, but no resolution has been provided. This defect poses a significant safety concern due to the sudden loss of power while the vehicle is in motion.

NHTSA ID

11715553

Incident

Nov 12, 2025

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 MIL comes on during vehicle operation due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441 (Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Purge Flow Malfunction).