2019 Acura RDX Visibility Problems

Came out to parked car, rear window was shattered with no damage to the rear area of the car. it was spontaneous without any apparent contact

NHTSA ID

11741508

Incident

Jun 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle and closing the front driver's side door, the rear windshield shattered unexpectedly. The contact took the vehicle to Safelight Repair to replace the windshield. The failure reoccurred approximately 2 years and 3 months later. The dealer was not informed of the failure. The manufacturer was informed about the failures and confirmed that there was no recall related to the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11729860

Incident

Nov 8, 2023

Rear windshield shattered while driving, with no impact. That is a dangerous risk that could go terribly wrong with other drivers.

NHTSA ID

11726237

Incident

Mar 20, 2026

On March 5, 2026 my son and I were sitting parked in my 2019 RDX A-Spec SUV when we heard a loud cracking sound and my rear windshield shattered. We got out of the car and did not see anyone or anything nearby that could have impacted the windshield. There were no objects on the ground or inside of the car that could have caused the break. I called 911 to get emergency assistance because at the time we weren't sure whether it was possible that someone had thrown or shot something at our car. I also called my insurance company while onsite to file a claim. The police arrived and could not find any sign of foul play but noted a comment report to document the incident. We had to drive the car home with shattered glass falling into our car as we drove very slowly home. We were shaken and very confused as to why and how this could have happened. When I got home I Googled, "RDX" and before I could type in anything else, HUNDREDS of customer complaints including news coverage of the very same incident I experienced showed up. Acura/Honda KNEW about this and had issued Service Bulletin (22-014) on 10/28/2022 but never directly informed customers that this could happen. There is no recall, no light indicators, no warning. I was in the car with my son. We could have been on the highway or anywhere when our windshield shattered. I contacted an Acura Dealership and they indicated that I was responsible as the customer. Now, I am having to pay $500 out of pocket in order for my insurance to cover the damages. This may also cause my insurance rate to increase. This is a terrible safety issue and Honda/Acura failed to inform customers and take responsibility for a known, well-documented safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11722484

Incident

Mar 5, 2026

Component Failure & Inspection: The rear windshield glass spontaneously imploded/shattered. This is a documented manufacturing defect involving the rear defroster grid, as detailed in Acura Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-014. The vehicle and the shattered glass are currently available for inspection. Safety Risk: The glass shattered while the vehicle was occupied, spraying shards of tempered glass into the cabin. This posed an immediate risk of laceration and eye injury to the occupants, as well as a significant distraction/startle hazard that could have resulted in a collision if the vehicle were in motion. Confirmation: The failure was inspected and confirmed by McGrath Acura of Westmont on February 27, 2026. The dealership acknowledged the existence of TSB 22-014 and the defect in the defroster grid but has not yet provided a full remedy. Manufacturer Inspection: The vehicle is an Acura Precision Certified unit. A formal case has been opened with Acura Client Relations (Case #16209033), and photos of the failure have been provided to them. Warning Symptoms: There were no warning lamps or symptoms prior to the failure. The glass imploded suddenly and without external impact while the vehicle was stationary.

NHTSA ID

11722255

Incident

Feb 27, 2026

The rear window on the hatch shattered without any trauma to the glass. It was completely unexpected and there was immediately a hole in my rear window. There were no obvious defects in the glass and again, no trauma to the window prior to it shattering. The car was parked in the garage when it happened.

NHTSA ID

11722214

Incident

Mar 4, 2026

Car was parked in parking lot and was not moved. When I returned to my car after working I got in and looked out my rearview mirror as I was about to put car in reverse to notice that my rear window did not look right. After getting out of the car to investigate, it was found that my rear window had been completely shattered. The window had no obvious area of impact, as if something had accidentally hit it or as if someone were trying to break in. It appeared to have self-shattered. This was also confirmed with police report filing. I was also told that the only reason my window still remained in place (even shattered) was because I had a tint film over it.

NHTSA ID

11721361

Incident

Feb 17, 2026

THE BACK TAILGATE GLASS SHATTERED. IT WAS PARKED, I HAD JUST TURNED IT ON. AND AS I WAS STARTING TO SHIFT IT TO REVERSE IT SHATTERED. A POP THE SOUNDOF GLASS FALLING. I SLAMMED ON BREAKS GOT OUT THE WINDOW WAS BROKEN, MISSING. ALL ALONG THE WINDSHEILD WIPER. I HAD TO GET IT FIXED AFTER 5 DAYS WAITING FOR THE GLASS TO COME IN BY SAFELITE.

NHTSA ID

11719000

Incident

Jan 30, 2026

Rear back glass exploded right after parking the vehicle

NHTSA ID

11717824

Incident

Jan 23, 2026

My rear windshield shattered during the winter. There was no signs of any damage beforehand. There was broken glass everywhere and I could’ve seriously cut myself or anyone back there could’ve been hurt by the pieces of broken glass. I had to file a police report for my insurance. Many car dealerships are refusing to fix! There’s too many reports of this happening!

NHTSA ID

11717149

Incident

Feb 10, 2026

When I closed my driver's door, the rear window shattered. Glass came into the vehicle when this happened. I had it repaired the next day by Safelite. I made an insurance claim but still had to pay $500 deductible. There was no warning that such a break could happen. There was no prior damage to the window or tailgate at all. I see online there are other instances of this reported, but unsure why Acura hasn't done a recall or otherwise notified the owners of this danger.

NHTSA ID

11716467

Incident

Feb 5, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact exited the vehicle, and the rear glass shattered without impact. The contact stated that a Police Report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.

NHTSA ID

11716324

Incident

Jan 13, 2026

Mileage

126,000 mi

I had parked my vehicle in front of my house on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 1:30a.m. I had turned on my vehicle's engine via Acuralink app at 5:20p.m. on that same day. so that it can be warmed up to go to work. At 5:30p.m. I went to my vehicle and saw the rear windshield had been broken. I initially thought someone had broken into the vehicle so I immediately called my near by police station to which they told me to call 9-1-1. I called 9-1-1 and reported a police report with the officers who came to my house. I then contacted my landlord and super since the vehicle was parked in a location where it was visible to my building cameras but no one was near my vehicle during the time the rear windshield had broken. I proceeded to do my research online and discovered that this is a constant occurrence with Acura RDX models from years 2012-Current. The issue is with the defroster when the vehicle engine starts. I took my vehicle to Paragon Acura where they proceeded to take pictures of the vehicle and the damage and replaced the vehicle with an aftermarket windshield, stating the issue is with the windshield which is incorrect, the issue is with the defroster. They assured me this will not happen again due to them using aftermarket glass and this is a one time goodwill repair. Glass is still in my trunk door as I was unable to leave the vehicle for cleaning. I explained to Acura this can not happen due to having 3 young children who place their school bags in the trunk of the car, it could have shattered while they were putting their bags in the trunk as they do daily. There was absolutely no warnings or trigger before the glass had broken or given any signs of breaking.

NHTSA ID

11715511

Incident

Jan 30, 2026

The rear windshield was shattered on its own. It is available to inspect. It caused glass to be scattered around & unsafe to drive. I could not see through the window. It has not yet been inspected. No warning lamps or messages. It just shattered just sitting outside my work.

NHTSA ID

11715246

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

The lift gate hatch window suddenly imploded.

NHTSA ID

11714871

Incident

Jan 26, 2026

Car was parked in my garage. Rear window shattered after I entered the car and shut the car door.

NHTSA ID

11713541

Incident

Jan 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Acura RDX. The contact stated that after closing the hatchback of the vehicle, the contact's wife noticed that the rear window glass had shattered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB: 22-014 (Rear Windshield Glass Shattering); however, the VIN was not included in the TSB. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The contact was informed that there was no warranty on the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

NHTSA ID

11712488

Incident

Dec 12, 2025

Mileage

68,000 mi

The contact owns a 2019 Acura RDX. The contact stated after starting the vehicle, there was loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. After inspecting the rear of the vehicle, the contact became aware that the rear windshield glass had shattered. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The windshield was replaced, and the vehicle was replaced. The contact was relating the failure to TSB: 22-014 (Rear Windshield Glass Shattering); however, the VIN was not included in the TSB. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

NHTSA ID

11712422

Incident

Jan 17, 2026

Mileage

63,000 mi

I used my automatic start to warm up my vehicle (it was on for about 5 minutes). When I went to open up by rear door (using my remote button), the back window completely shattered. I was walking up to my car when I heard the crackling of the glass. There was no warning about it. I will be calling the dealership about it tomorrow. Picture #1 was what the window looked like when I close the back. Picture #2 was the aftermath when I opened and closed the driver's door.

NHTSA ID

11711992

Incident

Jan 19, 2026

The rear windshield of a 2019 Acura RDX spontaneously shattered while the vehicle was sitting in our driveway. Vehicle was turned off, nothing fell or contacted the car, no passengers in the vehicle. This is the 2nd time this happened, last incident occurred ~2 years ago. Acura denied any record of this being an ongoing issue then, and has the same stance on the issue now, despite it being a widely known issue according to internet searches. We took pictures of the break, vehicle is available for inspection but we will be replacing the rear windshield immediately via insurance/safelite as we need the vehicle to be operational. Fortunately, we were not in the vehicle driving at the time of break, as reports indicate loud sound upon breakage that can startle driver. We also cannot operate the vehicle until rear windshield is replaced due to sound concerns for infant and temperature control issues with the rear exposed to outside air. Vehicle and rear hatch was inspected by safelite personnel upon replacing the first broken windshield. No other symptoms present before the glass broke. We have pictures of the broken windshield, showing the car sitting in the driveway. Same exact thing happened in the first incident (car was sitting in driveway, not being used).

NHTSA ID

11711182

Incident

Jan 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle and closing the driver’s side door, there was a loud popping sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspecting the rear of the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear glass had shattered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB: 22-014 (Rear Glass Shattering); however, the VIN was not included in the service bulletin. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The contact was informed that there was no warranty or recall for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11710634

Incident

Jan 12, 2026

Mileage

65,000 mi

Rear window for 2019 Acura RDX shattered while sitting in driveway. There was no impact and the car was stationary.

NHTSA ID

11708755

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

Got in my car to leave work, heard a strange rattle noise from the back of the car when I shut the driver door. I looked back and see a hole in the rear windshield. I got out to take a closer look, and also to take a picture. When I got back in the car and shut the door, a large chunk of glass fell into the back of the vehicle. My car was parked at work for 8.5 hours, and I had to drive 40 miles home with a shattered back windshield. This is the 2nd time the back windshield has randomly shattered. The first time was in March 2025, in my driveway at home, during the overnight hours. Before leaving for work, I found glass had exploded on the inside and outside of the vehicle, and also on the driveway under the area of the back windshield. Both times it has spontaneously shattered has been in a different location. Also, there has not been any previous known damage, such as chips or cracks. No suggestion of foreign objects coming into contact with the glass, or any obvious signs of vandalism.

NHTSA ID

11708414

Incident

Jan 2, 2026

I walked outside after work and the rear windshield was shattered. I work at a high school so I assumed it was an accident and after administration checked cameras from the entire day, nothing was founded. I googled the make and model of my car and saw it’s common to occur as a defect.

NHTSA ID

11708330

Incident

Dec 12, 2025

Was stationary in the drive thru line at McDonald's located at 1030 Largo Center Drive, Largo, MD, on Saturday December 6, 2025 around 10:30 pm. I heard a loud noise from the rear of the vehicle that sounded like a gunshot. I turned around, no gunshot, but the entire rear windshield had spontaneously shattered. The noise startled me, but because I was stationary, no issues, but if it had happened while driving, could have been an issue. There was no warning, messages, etc., just the loud noise when it shattered. Again, vehicle was sitting still, no contact with any other vehicles, or objects. Once I got home, parked in garage. Went online, and found out that this was not uncommon. Many incidents have been reported of windshields shattering spontaneously in 2019-2023 Acura RDX vehicles. There has not been a recall, but there is a technical service bulletin 22-014. My wife purchased this vehicle 5/31/2025.

NHTSA ID

11704083

Incident

Dec 6, 2025