2020 Acura RDX Electrical Problems

One day last December it rained very hard for a couple of days. It about 6:30pm I got in my car to go to an appointment. There was water inside the cab, on the seats, inside of the windshield, in the dashboard and controls... and about 4 inches of water on the floor on both passenger and driver side. When I tried to start the car, all the electrical systems went haywire. Everything was blinking at me in the dashboard many different warnings and hazard lights. I took the car to the dealership for service. I was by service department told that drainage lines on the top where the sun visor is were clogged up and the water had backed up into the vehicle. This was no fault of my own. I have maintained this automobile with Acura only for 6 years, since I purchased it. This is serious, even though it was resolved by clearing the lines but the damage to the electrical system were extensive. Now that the lines are cleared who's to say this will not happen again? Will my car flood again someday? I believe this to be a design flaw and should be corrected by Acura as a possible. I believe it should be a recall, it could affect the safety of the driver and passengers. Thanks for your attention to this matter.

NHTSA ID

11706618

Incident

Dec 19, 2024

information screen went dark no radio or audio

NHTSA ID

11699559

Incident

Nov 14, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated that the vehicle was intermittently difficult to start. The message to depress the brake pedal and press the Push to Start button was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed several times, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11683365

Incident

Aug 27, 2020

While in traffic and stopped at a light, the engine stalled and completely shut down all of a sudden. I had to restart the car and was able to drive home. The engine stalled while in traffic with two other passengers in the car and during a time with other vehicles on the road. The car stalled shortly after turning a corner and other cars potentially rear ending my car due to a sudden stalling. I’m on the way to the dealership where I purchased the 2020 Acura RDX AWD brand new for a check up. The vehicle has not yet been checked by anyone but will be later today. When the car stalled, there were no warning lamps or messages. This was the first time happening but the electrical system has turned off unexpectedly before. I’ve brought the car back to the dealership for the electrical system and it was previously repaired. The new problem includes the electrical system outage plus engine stalling during traffic. Very scary and unacceptable for any car.

NHTSA ID

11655137

Incident

Apr 13, 2025

My rear window has exploded twice in less than a year. American Honda is aware of this problem and has issued a service bulletin, 22-014. American Honda is refusing to pay my out of pocket expenses totalling $1,100.00. There is a class action suit in CA against American Honda. In both situations my window exploded, parked, for no reason. This is also a safety issued with glass shattering with passengers in the back seat, or also while I am driving. The lawsuit said the defroster (rear) is defective. Please look at all the internet postings on this. To include facebook which has a group called "Acrua Shattered" First incident was 1/22/2024, and the last was on 12/27/2024. Please help us consumers.

NHTSA ID

11637437

Incident

Jan 22, 2024

Alarm kept going off

NHTSA ID

11631535

Incident

Dec 13, 2024

October 30th 6pm, parked car at home and exterior lights (headlights, fog lights, rear lights) would not turn off. Car was not running. Lights finally went off when battery was completely drained. Had to jump battery to get car to dealership on October 31st. There were no previous warning lamps or messages. Dealership did a complete reinspect and were able to reproduce issue. Dealership determined that there was a leak in the sunroof. I then shared that the sunroof had been rattling and popping for a few weeks, but did not mention when dropping off for the lights since I didn't think it was related. I have spoken to Honda who states that this VIN does not have any recalls. There are known issues with the sunroofs for this year and make of car, but no recalls and the extended warranty as well as the 'certified car' warranty does not cover this issue.

NHTSA ID

11629118

Incident

Oct 30, 2024

Car would not turn on. All electronics started glitching, lights flickering. Had to disconnect the battery to turn off.

NHTSA ID

11587973

Incident

May 9, 2024

On [XXX] my windshield wiper motor died during a rainstorm. The car gave no warning lights and I get my vehicle serviced regularly. I have had ongoing electrical issues with this car such as a faulty radio and inability to run the GPS settings. I took the car back to Princeton Acura ( In New Jersey) and was told the Windshield Wiper Motor has to be replaced at it would cost me $ 600.00. The car was also looked at by a mechanic from Jifffy Lube who said he was unable to order the windshield wiper motor due to the car being so new that after market parts are not available. I am extremely frustrated and feel this is unfair and also feel I was sold a lemon. I bought the car new in 2020 and I am the only owner. I am hoping someone can help me. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11581382

Incident

Apr 3, 2024

I was passing another vehicle around 45mph when I had a loss of power in acceleration. Acceleration was limp went down to 10mph engine light came on. I had to pull off road. Shut car off then restarted. Engine light went off. But acceleration is weak. Unable to maneuver away from an emergency situation if need to. Dangerous to drive it like this. I will take it to dealership but know they' never find any issues!

NHTSA ID

11572004

Incident

Feb 14, 2024

AcuraLink remote start did not work to start the car this morning or after work but when my wife got home from work the car started about a half hour later by itself in our attached garage with the door closed. It did this twice this evening and once at lunchtime. We will have to keep the car outside until this issue is resolved.

NHTSA ID

11566128

Incident

Jan 17, 2024

Upon rapid acceleration, pushing the gas pedal down, the engine light started blinking and the car went into limp mode losing all power. This was a serious concern because we had just got off the interstate and if we had been full speed attempting to pass a vehicle, we could have been in a serious accident due to failure of power.

NHTSA ID

11474824

Incident

May 23, 2022

Hi, I have a 2020 Acura RDX, and it haves a popping and cracking sound on the speaker even wend the radio is of. And it have being check buy the dealer Bella International in Puerto Rico, and they say they cant fix it, to keep using it like that and that’s not an answer to my problem, know they are not answering the phone, the unit is still on warranty, please what can I do? Thanks

NHTSA ID

11459259

Incident

Nov 10, 2021

(1) Passenger airbag periodically turns off when seat is occupied. This surfaces major safety concerns. (2) Technology package - Apple car play turns black and disconnects often. As someone working from their car, this needs to stay connected in order to avoid safety concerns of needing to look down at my phone.

NHTSA ID

11455407

Incident

Mar 6, 2022

11/6/21: Mid way home from a trip from Washington to Connecticut on the New Jersey turnpike in the left-hand lane the car lost all ability to accelerate. Concurrently the engine like came on and multiple warning signals came on regarding traction control, breaking, and steering. One can imagine how unsettling that could be but at that moment. Being in the left lane it was apparent I needed to get off the road. With cars traveling at 65+ mph and my car decelerating continuously changing lanes was nearly catastrophic and the last lane I needed to move over to nearly resulted in a multi car accident 11/8/2021 I was contacted by the service manager at the towed to acura dealer. They informed me that the evaluation determined a need for an “intercooler" This breakdown of my car with less than 20,000 miles on it was under warranty . More importantly, my understanding of this problem is that the car is engineered to power down under these circumstances to protect the engine and or transmission. I would have imagined that when a warning like comes on it would not result in an instantaneous power down action. Put quite simply it appears the car was more interested in protecting itself than the occupants. This is egregious. Acura has failed to address my concern or help now about 1 month out

NHTSA ID

11442220

Incident

Nov 6, 2021

The contact owned a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle inadvertently slowed down and without warning a strange noise came from the engine compartment and a sudden jerk to the wheel when the vehicle accelerated without warning up to approximately 100 mph. The contact was able to exit the highway where the vehicle made another strange noise from the engine compartment and the wheel jerked when the vehicle accelerated without warning again which resulted in the contact crashing into a group of 3 vehicles. There were 2 confirmed injuries which were the occupants of the contact's vehicle the driver and front seat passenger. The contact sustained a broken sternum, internal bleeding, decompression of lower back, and swollen right side foot. The contact's son sustained a lumbar fracture and a contusion. The contact does not know if anyone in the other vehicles were injured. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to an insurance lot. The vehicle was then towed to a salvaged lot and deemed a total loss. The contact stated she does not know if warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and told the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 5,040.

NHTSA ID

11427232

Incident

Mar 20, 2021

Mileage

5,040 mi

Driving 70 mph down interstate and all of the sudden the check engine light started flashing and the vehicle lost all power. Had to make an emergency move to the shoulder. The check engine light remained flashing and when car shut off and turned back on the engine light was not on and vehicle operation seemed to turn to normal. Have seen other reports of this specific model of vehicle losing power at highway speeds and is very dangerous situation.

NHTSA ID

11418434

Incident

May 25, 2021

MY SUV HAS BEEN IN SERVICE OVER 15 TIMES STEMMING FROM ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE DASH HARNESS, MULTI TIMES FOR LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING, LOSS OF INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS, AND PIPING NOISE COMING FROM THE SPEAKERS. THE LOSS OF POWER AND 'LIMP MODE' HAS HAPPENS 3 TIMES. ONCE AT HIGHWAY SPEED AFTER AN OUT OF STATE TRIP, AND TWICE ON MY WAY TO WORK DURING HUMID CONDITIONS. THE ELECTRIC ISSUES HAVE HAPPENED MULTI TIMES DURING ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK TODAY, AND I STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. I WORKED MY WAY OUT OF THE MAIN HIGHWAY WHEN SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT OF THE AC VENTS. A FEW MOMENTS LATER I COULD SEE FLAMES COMING OUT OF THE DASH BEHIND THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN.

NHTSA ID

11404771

Incident

Mar 24, 2021

ALL OF A SUDDEN AFTER STARTING MY CAR UP IN THE MORNING MY ADAPATIVE DAMPER SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I CALLED THE ACURA DEALER AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. I HAD TO EXPLAIN TO THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHO SHOULD KNOW THAT ACURA ADVANCE MODEL HAS AN ELECTRONIC SHOCK SYSTEM THAT ADJUSTS SHOCKS FOR CERTAIN TYPE OF DRIVING. I PERSONALLY LEAVE MINE ON COMFORT BUT NOW IT'S STUCK IN SPORTS MODE. I DROVE 4 HOURS TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AND IT TOOK THEM LITERALLY 5 HOURS TO DIAGNOSE THAT THE WIRING HARNESS IS BAD. THEY SAID THEY WILL HAVE TO LITERALLY TAKE APART ALL THE INTERNAL CONSOLE, SEATS, CARPETS, ETC TO REMOVE THAT ITEM AND REPLACE IT. NOW IT'S ON BACK ORDER FOR A MONTH. THE ADVISER SAID I CAN DRIVE IT WITHOUT ANY ISSUES FOR NOW BUT THEY WEREN'T SURE. SO WHEN I LEFT THE DEALER WE HAD A HUGE WINTER STORM AND MY VEHICLE COULDN'T AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE THE ALL WHEEL OR SNOW DRIVING OPTIONS BECAUSE THE ADAPTIVE DAMPER SYSTEM IS ALL INTERLINKED TO THE ISSUE WITH THE WIRING HARNESS. NORMALLY IT WOULD HAVE TAKE ME 4 HOURS TO GET HOME INSTEAD IT BECAME AN 8 HR ORDEAL. MY VEHICLE WAS SLIDING SIDE TO SIDE AND SLIPPING. I HAD A ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE THAT COULD NOT ENGAGE THE ALL WHEEL SYSTEM AND COULDN'T USE THE SNOW DRIVING OPTIONS. INSTEAD WAS STUCK IN THE SPORTS MODE..... A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT EVEN 1 YEARS OLD HAVING SOME MAJOR ISSUES LIKE THIS DOES NOT SEEM NORMAL.

NHTSA ID

11390934

Incident

Jan 30, 2021

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE SLOWED TO AN IDLE AND WOULD NOT RE-ACCELERATE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN ACURA DEALER WHO FAILED TO FIND A FAULT. EXACT SAME SITUATION OCCURED THE NEXT DAY ON THE HIGHWAY. ONLY THIS TIME I SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE FOR 30 SECONDS AND IT RESTARTED AND RESUMED FULL POWER. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO AN ACURA DEALER WHO AGAIN COULD NOT FIND A FAULT ON THE COMPUTER. HOWEVER, THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE AND ORDERED AND REPLACE THE VEHICLE FUEL PUMP COMPLETE. NO ISSUES SINCE.

NHTSA ID

11375239

Incident

Sep 16, 2020

Mileage

9,500 mi

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND RELATED SYSTEMS SPORADICALLY FAIL TO OPERATE AND IN SOME CASES ATTEMPT TO TAKE OVER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE MAKING IT EXTREMELY UNSAFE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP (SPITZER) WAS ALERTED THEY SHOWN NO INTEREST IN EVEN LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEMS PERSIST ON A DAILY BASIS.

NHTSA ID

11349867

Incident

Aug 17, 2020

Mileage

4,372 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STATED HE RESTARTED THE IGNITION AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE HIS RESIDENCE BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER ACURA COLUMBUS LOCATED AT 4340 W DUBLIN GRANVILLE RD, DUBLIN, OH 43017, (614) 761-1222, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,390.

NHTSA ID

11348392

Incident

Jul 18, 2020

Mileage

1,390 mi