Model year record

2011 Acura RDX recalls & problems

The 2011 Acura RDX has 2 safety recalls and 16 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (10 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints16filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsMar 6, 2019

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 19V1820001,101,534 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

Air bagsFeb 3, 2016

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 16V0610002,232,187 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2011 Acura RDX SUV AWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	15.5%

2011 Acura RDX SUV FWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

RDX 2WD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

RDX 4WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Air bags	10	1	—
Electrical system	3	0	79,000 mi
Exterior lighting	3	0	—
Power train	2	0	—
Service brakes	1	1	—
Vehicle speed control	1	1	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Turbo/supercharger
Turbo went out at 109230 miles. No warning lamps or anything prior. Unknown on other questions. Just know mil had a turbo go out and ended up being apart of recall
Jun 1, 2022
Electrical system
CONDENSATION FORMS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS CAUSING THE LIGHTS NOT TO WORK.
Sep 15, 2020 · 119,500 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER LEVER FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEARS AND THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.
Feb 3, 2020 · 79,000 miles
Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (HONDA OF BAY COUNTY LOCATED AT 3601 E 15TH ST PANAMA CITY, FL 32404) WHO STATED THAT AUTHORIZATION WAS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 05970305. NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Jul 18, 2017
Exterior lighting
4141
Jun 1, 2017
Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED NUMEROUS TIMES TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR, BUT THEY WERE UNRESPONSIVE. THE DEALER FAILED TO RESPOND IN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Apr 7, 2017
Air bagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN AT AN EXTREMELY LOW SPEED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AS THE VEHICLE TILTED TO THE RIGHT SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO REVV AFTER IT WAS SHIFTED INTO THE PARK AND NEUTRAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE STOPPED REVVING AFTER THE IT WAS SHUT OFF. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…
Jan 18, 2017 · 30,100 miles
Power train
LOW GROWL, OR VIBRATION/SHUDDER STARTING AROUND 40-50 MPH AND CONTINUES IF YOU GO FASTER OR ACCELERATE QUICKLY. ALREADY CHANGED 2 AXLES AND HAD MOUNTS CHECK AND MULTIPLE ALLIGNMENTS. ALL OPEN SOURCE AND FORUM RESEARCH POINT VERY HEAVILY TO TORQUE CONVERTER AND POWERPOINT CONTROL MODULE.
Jan 20, 2016 · 96,498 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.