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2020 Acura Rdx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Rdx years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Acura Rdx are substantially higher than the model-year median of 36.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 83 of 345 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

19 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2023
Service BrakesSteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrash

On April 18, 2023 driving thru shopping center parking lot, WITHOUT WARNING car suddenly jerked right, accelerated, while brakes, steering wheel, gears locked. Ended crashing thru the wall of a structure. Airbags did NOT deploy but seat belts tightened firmly keeping us from going thru windshield. Episode of "UNINTENDED ACCELERA…

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On April 18, 2023 driving thru shopping center parking lot, WITHOUT WARNING car suddenly jerked right, accelerated, while brakes, steering wheel, gears locked. Ended crashing thru the wall of a structure. Airbags did NOT deploy but seat belts tightened firmly keeping us from going thru windshield. Episode of "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" was reported to Honda Motors whose agent, Jason, checked the car 8/1/23 and found no defect. We had driven the car for almost 49,000 miles without incident yet, their agent drove it for LESS than 10 miles and concluded NOTHING WRONG with the car. Twelve days later while stopped at a red light, dashboard lights suddenly flashed and engine came to a complete STOP. DEAD. Conclusion was damaged sensor to gas tank since husband had run over tanker truck tire debris on fwy earlier in the day. Point is, this 2020 Acura RDX with <50K miles has had TWO MAJOR INCIDENTS : UNINTENDED ACCELERATION and UNINTENDED DECELERATION. Feel betrayed by Honda Motors Corp at conducting a superficial, inadequate inspection for the defects mentioned and fear for our safety and those of others we share on the road. There's a class action lawsuit in Florida for similar complaints but we live in California and have been unable to procure legal representation.....apparently, not cost effective. My driving record is clean.

NHTSA ODI #11546195

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2023
Air BagsService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

upon entering the cross driveway at a mall parking lot, car suddenly veered right, accelerating & unresponsive to stepping on brakes pedal, steering wheel locked, gear buttons did not respond, seat belts tightened, but air bags DID NOT deploy. Speed was slowed when car ran over a large rock and crashed into the wall of small st…

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upon entering the cross driveway at a mall parking lot, car suddenly veered right, accelerating & unresponsive to stepping on brakes pedal, steering wheel locked, gear buttons did not respond, seat belts tightened, but air bags DID NOT deploy. Speed was slowed when car ran over a large rock and crashed into the wall of small store front. I, the driver, have not been in any accidents, had not taken any medication of any sort.

NHTSA ODI #11521064

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2023
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

While accelerating on the highway the vehicle lost power. Pressing the gas did nothing. Engine light blinked

NHTSA ODI #11500659

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2022
EngineVehicle Speed Control

On September 6, 2022, at 7:45 AM I was traveling from my home to work in my 2020 Acura RDX. As I was merging on to an interstate in heavy, high-speed traffic, my RDX suddenly lost power and started to decelerate with absolutely no warning at all as high-speed traffic was approaching from behind. My vehicle decelerated to a spe…

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On September 6, 2022, at 7:45 AM I was traveling from my home to work in my 2020 Acura RDX. As I was merging on to an interstate in heavy, high-speed traffic, my RDX suddenly lost power and started to decelerate with absolutely no warning at all as high-speed traffic was approaching from behind. My vehicle decelerated to a speed of about 20mph on an interstate in the midst of heavy, high-speed traffic. The malfunction indication light began flashing in the instrument panel. I was able to drive at slow speed of about 15-20 mph, with 4-way lights flashing, until I could exit the interstate. I turned the car off for a few minutes and then was able to proceed. This created an extremely dangerous situation.

NHTSA ODI #11483039

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

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 a…

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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 ODI #11442220

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2021
EngineVehicle Speed Control

Last week I was driving the 2020 Acura RDX on the Massachusetts Turnpike during very wet weather. Three hours into a planned four hour drive, while accelerating up a hill, the car power cut out. Engine was running, but no oomph. Check engine light, and other lights, flashing on dashboard. Car kept slowing, and there was no p…

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Last week I was driving the 2020 Acura RDX on the Massachusetts Turnpike during very wet weather. Three hours into a planned four hour drive, while accelerating up a hill, the car power cut out. Engine was running, but no oomph. Check engine light, and other lights, flashing on dashboard. Car kept slowing, and there was no place to pull over at that point on the pike (mile 68). Finally, car made it to crest of hill (at that point going 15 miles an hour in the right hand lane and still slowing), and a pull out spot appeared. Pulled over, but a very harrowing experience. Had the car towed to the closest Acura dealer (this was clearly an issue that would be covered by warranty...). They checked out car, and said that they had seen the same problem before, and that fix was to replace the "intercooler kit", which required a part that was on a long back order. Researching other threads, I find that this has happened to others... and that a "fix" can be to turn off the car, and restart after a few minutes. Car seems to drive fine again... In any case, I later moved the car to the dealer where we bought it, and they had the part in stock. Apparently, when it is very wet and a driver accelerates hard, the old part lets some water enter the turbo charger, at which point the car goes into "limp" mode. Apparently, Acura has an outstanding service bulletin on this issue. The reason for my filing... I think that this a recall issue. I love the car, and am glad that it is fixed (at least, I hope it is!), but this is a very bad problem and should not happen. Any questions, please let me know. But I would encourage Acura to do a formal recall...

NHTSA ODI #11439887

5,040 miles · Jul 30, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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 exi…

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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 ODI #11427232

13,000 miles · May 2, 2021
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

IT WAS MILDLY RAINING AND I WENT TO ACCELLERATE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ALL A SUDDEN WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND STUTTER AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE I LACKED POWER. THE VEHICLE THEN REFUSED TO ACCELERATE AND I HAD TO DANGEROUSLY GLIDE OFF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT POWE…

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IT WAS MILDLY RAINING AND I WENT TO ACCELLERATE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ALL A SUDDEN WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND STUTTER AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE I LACKED POWER. THE VEHICLE THEN REFUSED TO ACCELERATE AND I HAD TO DANGEROUSLY GLIDE OFF THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT POWER AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. EVERY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED AND THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH AN ENGINE COIL. THREE WEEKS LATER IN THE SAME SITUATION IN THE MILD RAIN THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. I WENT TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY IN A MILD RAIN THE CAR BROKE DOWN THE EXACT SAME WAY. I AM WAITING FOR IT GET DIAGNOSED AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11414777

26,000 miles · Apr 21, 2021
Vehicle Speed Control

FAILURE DATE 4/15/21. CLIENT DRIVING A 2020 ACURA RDX AT 75MPH AT NIGHT WITH LIGHT RAIN RETURNING HOME ON US281, SOUTH TEXAS. VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN DECELERATING TO ABOUT 45MPH, WITH NO RESPONSE THROUGH THE GAS PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED. VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS FLASHING. VEHICLE PULLED OVER TO OFF RAMP AND IDLED…

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FAILURE DATE 4/15/21. CLIENT DRIVING A 2020 ACURA RDX AT 75MPH AT NIGHT WITH LIGHT RAIN RETURNING HOME ON US281, SOUTH TEXAS. VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN DECELERATING TO ABOUT 45MPH, WITH NO RESPONSE THROUGH THE GAS PEDAL TO MAINTAIN SPEED. VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS FLASHING. VEHICLE PULLED OVER TO OFF RAMP AND IDLED TO A GAS STATION THAT WAS NEAR.. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER THE NEXT DAY. DEALER INITIAL RESPONSE WAS THAT NO ISSUE WAS FOUND AND ATTRIBUTED IT TO "BAD GAS". VEHICLE OWNER DID NOT ACCEPT THIS ANSWER AND ASKED DEALER TO SEARCH SERVICE BULLETINS. THE NEXT DAY, IT WAS FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS REPORTED ON THIS FAILURE MODE, AND THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF PN# 19710-6B2-A01 WHICH INCLUDES AN INTAKE INTERCOOLER KIT PN# 06198-5YF-305, AND LUBRICANT PN# 08734 WAS THE FIX OF THIS ISSUE. THE FIX PREVENTS MOISTURE FROM ENTERING THE INTAKE INTERCOOLER ASM AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE ENGINE TO DECELERATE INTO "LIMP MODE". NOTE: ALSO, VEHICLE PGM SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. .

NHTSA ODI #11413286

7,300 miles · Mar 30, 2021
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND DECELERATED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT GUIDED THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES AND SLOWLY DRIVEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND DECELERATED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT GUIDED THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES AND SLOWLY DRIVEN TO GAS STATION PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED ACURA OF COLUMBUS (6549 WHITTLESEY BLVD, COLUMBUS, GA 31909, (706) 576-6700) WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE OVER THE PHONE, STATING THAT THE TURBO CHARGER INTER COOLER SYSTEM HAD ALLOWED MOISTURE INTO THE SYSTEM WHILE IT WAS RAINING AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUTDOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO SLOWLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE AROUND THE PARKING LOT ONCE IT STOPPED RAINING FOR THE MOISTURE TO DISSIPATE FROM THE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD RESET ONCE THE INTER COOLER WAS CLEAR OF MOISTURE. THE CONTACT FOLLOWED THE ADVICE AND WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ACURA COLUMBUS (4340 W. DUBLIN GRANVILLE RD, DUBLIN, OH 43017) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTER COOLER KIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,300.

NHTSA ODI #11405617

Official recalls

5

26V332000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

May 21, 2026

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 Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.

24V064000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification:front Passenger

Feb 1, 2024

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

23V858000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Dec 18, 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

23V158000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Mar 9, 2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are NDA, QDB, BDC, MDD, LD9. TDF, FDG, ODH, YDI, ZDE.

21V215000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Mar 25, 2021

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.