2013 Acura RDX recalls and problems

The 2013 Acura RDX has 3 safety recalls and 163 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Acura dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
163
Crashes / fires
6 / 2
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 Acura RDX recalls

Recall 19V-182: Air Bags

Reported Mar 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

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.

Recall 16V-061: Air Bags

Reported Feb 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

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 13V-143: Power Train

Reported Apr 15, 2013 · 204,169 vehicles affected · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Problem: Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Risk: If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.

2013 Acura RDX problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Exterior Lighting90
Air Bags36
Visibility/Wiper8
Electrical System7
Power Train7
Suspension6
Unknown or Other6
Steering3
Seats3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Engine2
Service Brakes2

Most reported parts

  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 5
  • Structure › Body — 2
  • Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) — 1
  • Steering › Gear Box (Other Than Rack and Pinion) — 1
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 47,500 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 Acura RDX complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Exterior Lighting · reported Nov 8, 2026
We have cleaned the lenses where they are in new condition. Replace the bulbs with high-quality bulbs and the ability to see at night has not improved, causing a serious safety concern that we have now considered having to sell the car. Acura has issued a recall for the same problem on a different model for the same problem but has extended it to cover the RDX.
Air Bags · reported Jul 21, 2026
NHTSA Safety Complaint – Acura RDX Driver-Side Airbag Module Availability Vehicle: 2013 Acura RDX VIN: [XXX] Component: Driver-Side Airbag Module Part Number: 77810-TX4-A40ZA-MOD My 2013 Acura RDX was vandalized in January 2026, and the driver-side airbag module was stolen. My mechanic contacted Rallye Acura to obtain the required replacement OEM part. The required component is the Driver Side Air Bag Module, Part No. 77810-TX4-A40ZA-MOD. The replacement part was ordered, but it has remained on critical back order for more than six months. Acura opened Case No. XXX; however, despite repeated…
Exterior Lighting · reported Jun 7, 2026
The headlight housings on this generation of 2013 Acura MDXs completely fail due to a design flaw that causes the housing to overheat and dim the lights to a dangerous level. At night, you would be safer if you were driving with flashlights taped to the hood of the vehicle. I’m sure this has caused numerous wrecks for 2013-2015 MDX owners as it is a widely reported issue that needs to be fixed asap before more people perish. Please do something about this as it is not just a select few lemons but it is nearly every 2013 Acura MDX out there with the same OEM housings. Lives could depend on…
Air Bags · reported May 5, 2026
I have a code on my Acura regarding the driver side airbag. The code is 11-10, covered under service bulletin: 18-020, noting defects in the driver side air bag module. I brought my vehicle in to Hall Acura in November 2025 where this was officially diagnosed and a order was placed for a part on back order (Part Number: 77810-tx4-a40za). To this date, the part continues to be on "critical back order". I have escalated this to Honda Corporation and opened up a case with their office (Case Number: XXX). I receive weekly emails stating that they are working on this but the part is still on…
Service Brakes · reported Mar 27, 2026
On 3/26/2026 a symbol of an engine appeared on my dash. Then several minutes later the car began running very rough and numerous warnings signs came on including Check Engine, Check AWD System, Check Power Steering System, Check Uphill Assist system and others. I took the car to my mechanic this morning and after checking various systems he determined the Cylinder Deactivation system was not performing properly. He replaced the spark plug for cylinder 3 and confirmed the ignition coil is functioning properly. He was not able to correct the problem and said I should contact the dealer as he…

Other Acura RDX years

Compare all Acura RDX years · All Acura models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Acura RDX have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Acura RDX: 19V-182 (air bags), 16V-061 (air bags), 13V-143 (power train). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Acura RDX?

Owners report exterior lighting problems most often (90 reports), followed by air bags (36). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 47,500 miles.

Are Acura recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Acura dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.