Model research hub
Acura RDX
The Acura RDX is a compact luxury crossover that Wikipedia lists as produced from 2006 to 2026 (model years 2007 to 2026) and related to the Honda CR-V. Federal data shows the 2019 with the most complaints (433) and 5 recalls, the 2015 with 409 complaints, and the 2026 RDX starts at $46,550 with a 23 mpg combined rating.
What the Acura RDX is and who buys it
Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) describes the RDX as a compact luxury crossover SUV produced by Honda for Acura from 2006 for the 2007 model year, the brand's second crossover after the MDX and related to the Honda CR-V, with generations TB1/2 (2007), TB3/4 (2013) and TC1/2 (2019) and a 2022 facelift. Its production is listed as ending in 2026. The 2026 RDX has a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder with SH-AWD, rated 23 mpg combined by the EPA at about $3,350 a year in fuel, and Kelley Blue Book base prices run from $46,550 to $56,300 for the A-Spec and Advance packages.
Best and worst RDX model years
Federal counts single out two years. The 2015 has 3 air bag recalls and 409 complaints, and the 2019, the first of the third generation, has 5 recalls covering the fuel system, seat belts and air bags with 433 complaints, the most of any year. The 2020 has 5 recalls and 344 complaints, the 2021 has 3 and 111. The 2016 to 2018 years are quiet, at 1 or 2 recalls and 40 to 77 complaints, and the 2022 to 2025 cars have 1 or 2 recalls and 11 to 31 complaints. Open the 2019 RDX page for the peak year.
Car Smite (opens in a new tab) ranks the first generation (2007 to 2012) and later generations, calling one year the one to avoid like the plague on scores from Edmunds and J.D. Power. CarGurus (opens in a new tab) says the first-generation RDX from 2007 to 2012 tempts buyers as a small crossover with a premium badge at a reasonable price, and that RDX values dipped 0.78% year over year against a 2.97% rise for the broader used market.
Choosing a year
On federal data, the 2016 to 2018 and 2022 to 2025 cars are the quietest, and the 2019 and 2020 the ones to check by VIN for fuel system and seat belt campaigns.
Questions buyers ask
Which Acura RDX year has the most complaints?
Federal data shows the 2019 with 433 complaints and the 2015 with 409.
Is the Acura RDX still made?
Wikipedia lists production as 2006 to 2026, with model years 2007 to 2026.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Acura RDX is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, rated at 272 horsepower across its compact luxury SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 5 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2026 RDX seats 5 and is a Compact luxury SUV.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2026 RDX.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Acura RDX
MY2026 carries the RDX's 272-horsepower turbo engine and standard Super Handling AWD forward from MY2025 with updated pricing across the same five-position trim ladder: base through Technology, A-Spec, Advance and A-Spec Advance.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
2 indexed Acura RDX model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Acura RDX | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Acura RDX | 1 | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Acura RDX.
The Acura RDX is a compact luxury crossover SUV produced by Honda for their Acura brand since 2006 for the 2007 model year as the second crossover SUV offering from the brand after the mid-size MDX. Since it was introduced, it has shared its platform with the Honda Civic and CR-V.
- Safety
- The first-generation RDX was the second Acura vehicle to feature the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, which is designed to absorb energy from a collision. Standard safety features include six airbags, including dual front airbags, front side airbags, and dual-side curtain airbags.
Source: Acura RDX (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Acura RDX at a glance
- Production
- 2006–2026
- Model years
- 2007–2026
- Class
- Compact luxury crossover SUV
- Body style
- 5-door SUV
- Related models
- Honda CR-V
Acura RDX generations
The Acura RDX has been redesigned in 2013, 2019, gaps of 6, 6 years, an average of 6.0 years between generations. The current generation (third generation, TC1/2) began in 2019.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | TB1/2 | 2007–2013 | Originally previewed as the Acura RD-X concept car, the production RDX had its debut at the 2006 New York Auto Show and went on sale on 11 August 2006 for the 2007 model. |
| Second generation | TB3/4 | 2013–2019 | The second generation RDX was revealed during January 2012 at the North American International Auto Show and went on sale in April 2012 for the 2013 model year. |
| Third generation | TC1/2 | 2019–present | Acura debuted the 2019 RDX Prototype, on January 15, 2018, at the North American International Auto Show. |
NHTSA rated the 2025 Acura RDX overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (3 campaigns across the latest model years)
- May 2026, Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic… Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- September 2025, Steering:Electric Power Assist System. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2025 Acura RDX vehicles. The software for the electric power steering (EPS) assist may not be calibrated properly, which can cause the EPS system to enter a failsafe mode, resulting in a loss of… Consequence: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- February 2024, Steering. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Odyssey and 2024 Acura RDX vehicles. The steering gear box assembly may not have been tightened properly, allowing water to enter the assembly and cause corrosion and binding gears. Consequence: Corroded and binding steering gears can result in a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Acura RDX, most often about steering (23), lane departure (15), service brakes (14).
Year by year
The Acura RDX across 12 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Acura RDX | 23 | $3,450 | 2 | 5 stars | ||
| 2025 Acura RDX | 23 | $3,350 | 2 | 1 | 29 | 5 stars |
| 2024 Acura RDX | 23 | $3,350 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 5 stars |
| 2023 Acura RDX | 23–24 | $3,250–$3,350 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 5 stars |
| 2022 Acura RDX | 23–24 | $3,250–$3,350 | 4 | 2 | 31 | 5 stars |
| 2021 Acura RDX | 23–24 | $3,250–$3,350 | 4 | 3 | 111 | 5 stars |
| 2020 Acura RDX | 23–24 | $3,250–$3,350 | 4 | 5 | 344 | 5 stars |
| 2019 Acura RDX | 23–24 | $3,250–$3,350 | 4 | 5 | 433 | 5 stars |
| 2018 Acura RDX | 22–23 | $3,350–$3,500 | 2 | 1 | 77 | 5 stars |
| 2017 Acura RDX | 22–23 | $3,350–$3,500 | 2 | 1 | 75 | 5 stars |
| 2016 Acura RDX | 22–23 | $3,350–$3,500 | 2 | 2 | 40 | 5 stars |
| 2015 Acura RDX | 22–23 | $3,350–$3,500 | 2 | 3 | 409 | 5 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Acura RDX, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 to 2024 | 4 to 2 | 23.5 to 23.0 | Labels: RDX FWD, RDX FWD A-SPEC; Drives: Front-Wheel Drive; Size classes: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | |
| 2019 to 2020 | Drives: All-Wheel Drive | Drives: 4-Wheel Drive | ||
| 2018 to 2019 | 2 to 4 | 22.5 to 23.5 | Labels: RDX AWD A-SPEC, RDX FWD A-SPEC; Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (S10); Drives: 4-Wheel Drive | Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl; Transmissions: Automatic (S6); Drives: All-Wheel Drive |
| 2016 to 2017 | Labels: RDX AWD, RDX FWD | Labels: RDX 2WD, RDX 4WD |
Buying used
What the Acura RDX recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | steering (electric power assist system) | None |
| 2024 | 2 | steering; air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2023 | 2 | service brakes, hydraulic (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip); air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2022 | 2 | air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2021 | 3 | power train (driveline); air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2020 | 5 | fuel system, gasoline (delivery); seat belts (front); air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2019 | 5 | fuel system, gasoline (delivery); seat belts (front); air bags (sensor) | None |
| 2018 | 1 | fuel system, gasoline (delivery) | None |
| 2017 | 1 | equipment (other) | None |
| 2016 | 2 | air bags (frontal) | None |
| 2015 | 3 | air bags (frontal) | None |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| exterior lighting | 338 | 21% | 2015 (338) |
| unknown or other | 322 | 20% | 2019 (142) |
| visibility/wiper | 222 | 14% | 2019 (96) |
| engine | 195 | 12% | 2019 (89) |
| electrical system | 127 | 8% | 2019 (39) |
| power train | 121 | 8% | 2019 (37) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Acura RDX trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SH-AWD | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC, Turbo) | 272 | 280 | 4,014 | 1,500 | 23 | $46,550 |
| SH-AWD w/Technology Pkg | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC, Turbo) | 272 | 280 | 4,040 | 1,500 | 23 | $49,150 |
| SH-AWD w/A-Spec Pkg | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC, Turbo) | 272 | 280 | 4,024 | 1,500 | 23 | $52,150 |
| SH-AWD w/Advance Pkg | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC, Turbo) | 272 | 280 | 4,040 | 1,500 | 23 | $54,300 |
| SH-AWD w/A-Spec & Advance Pkgs | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC, Turbo) | 272 | 280 | 4,058 | 1,500 | 23 | $56,300 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Acura RDX model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC, Turbo) | 272 | 4,014–4,058 | 1,500 | 17.1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC, Turbo) | 272 | 4,014–4,058 | 1,500 | 17.1 |
| 2024 | 5 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC, Turbo) | 272 | 4,014–4,058 | 1,500 | 17.1 |
| 2023 | 8 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC, Turbo) | 272 | 3,788–4,080 | 1,500 | 17.1 |
| 2022 | 9 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC, Turbo) | 272 | 3,788–4,080 | 1,500 | 17.1 |
| 2021 | 9 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC, Turbo) | 272 | 3,783–4,068 | 1,500 | 17.1 |
| 2020 | 8 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC, Turbo) | 272 | 3,783–4,068 | 1,500 | 17.1 |
| 2019 | 8 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (VTEC, Turbo) | 272 | 3,783–4,068 | 1,500 | 17.1 |
| 2018 | 5 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 279 | 3,902–3,946 | 1,500 | 16 |
| 2017 | 1 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 279 | 3,902 | 1,500 | 16 |
| 2016 | 1 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 279 | 3,902 | 1,500 | 16 |
| 2015 | 1 | 3.5-liter V6 (i-VTEC) | 273 | 3,838 | 1,500 | 16 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Acura RDX.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0W-20 (5.0 qt) | – | 80 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2025 | – | – | 80 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2023 | – | – | 80 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2022 | – | – | 80 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2021 | – | – | 80 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2020 | – | – | 80 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2019 | – | – | 80 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2018 | – | – | 80 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2017 | – | – | 80 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2015 | – | – | 80 lb-ft | – | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Acura RDX: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2020 Acura RDX : 5 recalls on file, most commonly affecting fuel system and airbags.
- 2019 Acura RDX : 5 recalls on file, most commonly affecting fuel system and seat belts.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | not available | ||
| 2025 | 1 | 29 | steering |
| 2024 | 2 | 11 | steering, airbags |
| 2023 | 2 | 21 | brakes, airbags |
| 2022 | 2 | 31 | airbags |
| 2021 | 3 | 111 | airbags, powertrain |
| 2020 | 5 | 344 | fuel system, airbags, seat belts |
| 2019 | 5 | 433 | fuel system, seat belts, airbags |
| 2018 | 1 | 77 | fuel system |
| 2017 | 1 | 75 | equipment |
| 2016 | 2 | 40 | airbags |
| 2015 | 3 | 409 | airbags |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Acura RDX?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2020, 2019 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Acura RDX model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2020 Acura RDX has 5 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting fuel system, airbags, seat belts; The 2019 Acura RDX has 5 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting fuel system, seat belts, airbags. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03What are common recall-related problems on the Acura RDX by model year?
2025: steering. 2024: steering, airbags. 2023: brakes, airbags. 2022: airbags. 2021: airbags, powertrain. 2020: fuel system, airbags, seat belts.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Buying, records and recalls, Engine and cooling, Transmission and drivetrain, Brakes, tires and steering.
2020 Acura RDX owners specifically: see Engine and cooling and Buying, records and recalls.
2019 Acura RDX owners specifically: see Engine and cooling and Buying, records and recalls.
Trim ladder
1 Acura RDX trim, each with its own page.
Compared with
Models this Acura RDX is most often compared with.
Nearest Acura models
Other Acura models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 RDX come in?
The 2026 Acura RDX (compact luxury SUV) comes in 5 trims: Base, Technology, A-Spec, Advance, A-Spec Advance.
Q02What are the 2026 RDX trims?
The 2026 Acura RDX trims are Base, Technology, A-Spec, Advance, A-Spec Advance, listed from the entry Base up to the top A-Spec Advance.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 RDX use?
The 2026 Acura RDX is built around 2.0L turbo four-cylinder, rated at 272 horsepower across its compact luxury SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 RDX have?
The 2026 Acura RDX is rated at 272 horsepower (2.0L turbo four-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 RDX?
The 2026 Acura RDX is offered with Standard AWD.