← New search

2021 Acura Rdx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Rdx years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Acura Rdx are substantially higher than the model-year median of 36.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Rdx years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 12 of 111 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.

  • Engine. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

30 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2023
StructureUnknown Or OtherInjury

The panoramic sunroof exploded on our Acura RDX model 2021. Me, my wife and our 3 month old son were returning from dinner, we took the ramp and about to merge on a highway then we heard a loud and sudden explosive noise which scared all of us. Thank God we had the sunroof blind partially closed over the real infant seat, so the…

Read full complaint

The panoramic sunroof exploded on our Acura RDX model 2021. Me, my wife and our 3 month old son were returning from dinner, we took the ramp and about to merge on a highway then we heard a loud and sudden explosive noise which scared all of us. Thank God we had the sunroof blind partially closed over the real infant seat, so the glass shatters left some minor cuts on my left forearm and back (glass pieces got between my back and driving seat). Also, the glass pieces did cut the sunroof blind/rolling cloth screen. We are glad that we made home safe and not sure what is the process of getting the issue fixed by the manufacturer and thorough cleaning up of the glass remains/dust. Please advise.

NHTSA ODI #11552681

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2023
Unknown Or Other

This morning (09/20/2023) - I was driving on the interstate (I-78 in Mississippi) - I heard a large bang/explosion and then began hearing external noise. I thought a tire on a vehicle nearby had blownout but realized the traffic near me was not slowing down. I pulled off the interstate and inspected my tires. Discovered all my t…

Read full complaint

This morning (09/20/2023) - I was driving on the interstate (I-78 in Mississippi) - I heard a large bang/explosion and then began hearing external noise. I thought a tire on a vehicle nearby had blownout but realized the traffic near me was not slowing down. I pulled off the interstate and inspected my tires. Discovered all my tires were fine, but realized I could still hear the road. I discovered that my sunroof had exploded/shattered. I had not heard anything hit it or seen any debris flying through the air prior. Thank goodness my fabric divider was on and I did not have the sunroof open at the time - glass shards would have been all on me and throughout my car.

NHTSA ODI #11545739

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2023
Unknown Or Other

On 10/2/2022 the rear glass shattered on my RDX for no reason. It was parked in the driveway. Safelight replaced the glass but was unable to get the glass out of the tailgate and shards were being randomly released. I then had the entire tailgate/glass replaced with original Acura tailgate/glass. On 5/7 /2023 the glass sha…

Read full complaint

On 10/2/2022 the rear glass shattered on my RDX for no reason. It was parked in the driveway. Safelight replaced the glass but was unable to get the glass out of the tailgate and shards were being randomly released. I then had the entire tailgate/glass replaced with original Acura tailgate/glass. On 5/7 /2023 the glass shattered again for no reason. Parked in the garage with door closed. I attached pics of both incidents. The last two pictures are from the 10/2 incident.

NHTSA ODI #11520817

Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2022
Unknown Or Other

My Telemetrics Control Unit failed on Acura update. This is part of the system that calls for Emergency help when involved with a crash. I t was identified at an Acura dealership and the part was ordered. It is on back order now for over a month with no known delivery date

NHTSA ODI #11449268

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2021
StructureUnknown Or Other

On NOV 20th 2021 took the vehicle for Oil change, to Acura dealer. The service tech informed me the hood its not opening. The latch or cable its broken. The part its not in stock. I can't open the hood to check all necessary fluids, especially windshield washer fluid. I think its safety concern when I'm out of washer.

NHTSA ODI #11442231

Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Driving on the highway and suddenly the moonroof imploded. Luckily no other cars nearby and did not go through an underpass when this occurred. No signs of any impact to cause this from remaining glass. Waiting for Acura dealership to assess damage but told me the part was backordered due to this happening with multiple vehicles…

Read full complaint

Driving on the highway and suddenly the moonroof imploded. Luckily no other cars nearby and did not go through an underpass when this occurred. No signs of any impact to cause this from remaining glass. Waiting for Acura dealership to assess damage but told me the part was backordered due to this happening with multiple vehicles.

NHTSA ODI #11439096

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2021
Unknown Or Other

I purchased a 2021 Acura RDX new. The car makes loud cracking/popping sounds from the panoramic sunroof when driving over uneven pavement, particularly at an angle such as, entering or leaving a driveway. This has occurred since new. It consistently makes the sounds when cold, like backing out of the driveway and over the curb …

Read full complaint

I purchased a 2021 Acura RDX new. The car makes loud cracking/popping sounds from the panoramic sunroof when driving over uneven pavement, particularly at an angle such as, entering or leaving a driveway. This has occurred since new. It consistently makes the sounds when cold, like backing out of the driveway and over the curb first thing in the morning. It is inconsistent after first having made the sound but, will still make the sounds under the right conditions. I have reported the issue to Acura dealer service and to Acura Client Relations, with no resolution. Many have reported similar issues on an Acura owners blog.

NHTSA ODI #11423632

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2021
Unknown Or Other

All sound warnings are very low and impossible to hear them especially with the music on. The volume is very low and will not override the music volume. The warning volume is very low and driver can’t increase the volume. Especially the blind spot warning on the right side, if you miss it, it’s an accident sure to happen. Acura…

Read full complaint

All sound warnings are very low and impossible to hear them especially with the music on. The volume is very low and will not override the music volume. The warning volume is very low and driver can’t increase the volume. Especially the blind spot warning on the right side, if you miss it, it’s an accident sure to happen. Acura can change this with a simple software update but they keep ignore my requests. Hopefully you, the consumer advocate, can convince them to do the software update. Let’s make it safer for all and save some lives.

NHTSA ODI #11422704

Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Brand new 2021 Acura RDX panoramic sunroof exploded less than 2 weeks after purchase. I was driving when all the sudden, out of nowhere, there was a loud pop/explosion sound. I immediately pulled over and inspected the but didn't find anything. Not one scratch or dent anywhere. It wasn't until I was getting back in the car, and …

Read full complaint

Brand new 2021 Acura RDX panoramic sunroof exploded less than 2 weeks after purchase. I was driving when all the sudden, out of nowhere, there was a loud pop/explosion sound. I immediately pulled over and inspected the but didn't find anything. Not one scratch or dent anywhere. It wasn't until I was getting back in the car, and heard the sound of glass slowly shattering, that I realized it was the sunroof. Nothing external hit the car to cause the explosion/shatter. I was the only car on the road when it happened...no cars in front of, behind or beside me. The road was smooth and I hadn't driven over any bumps. Thankfully, the sun shade closed so no one in the car was injured.

NHTSA ODI #11420647

3,100 miles · Mar 9, 2021
StructureUnknown Or Other

BOTH MYSELF AND HUSBAND HAVE HEARD KNOCK OR LOUD POP SOUND. ONE LOUD KNOCK OR TWO WITH SLIGHT LEVEL CHANGE SUCH AS ENTERING OR LEAVING DRIVEWAY. MANY OTHER ACURA RDX OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SAME ISSUE. APPEARS TO BE FLEXING OF PANORAMIC SUNROOF. MY VEHICLE IS ONE WEEK OLD (WAS COURTESY VEHICLE) 2021 ACURA RDX. IN SHOP NOW. MA…

Read full complaint

BOTH MYSELF AND HUSBAND HAVE HEARD KNOCK OR LOUD POP SOUND. ONE LOUD KNOCK OR TWO WITH SLIGHT LEVEL CHANGE SUCH AS ENTERING OR LEAVING DRIVEWAY. MANY OTHER ACURA RDX OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SAME ISSUE. APPEARS TO BE FLEXING OF PANORAMIC SUNROOF. MY VEHICLE IS ONE WEEK OLD (WAS COURTESY VEHICLE) 2021 ACURA RDX. IN SHOP NOW. MANY HAVE REPORTED SERVICE ISSUES WITH NO RESOLUTION THROUGH DEALERSHIP OR ACURA. SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE ADDED ISSUES WITH SUNROOF LEAKING AND EVEN BLOW OUT OF SUNROOF WINDOW.

NHTSA ODI #11399917

Official recalls

3

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.

21V939000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Dec 2, 2021

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Acura RDX and 2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. A component in the right or left front driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which could result in driveshaft failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, or cause the vehicle to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the right or left front driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BBY, NBW, and OBX.

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.