2013 Acura RDX
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Visibility & Lighting
Visibility & Lighting leads by volume: 97 of 162 complaints (60%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 15 in 2012 to 162 in 2013.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | vs. 2013 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700–4,100 | 3,700–4,100 | 3,350–3,500 | 3,350–3,500 | 3,350–3,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–21 | 19–21 | 22–23 | 22–23 | 22–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–19 / 22–24 | 17–19 / 22–24 | 19–20 / 27–28 | 19–20 / 27–28 | 19–20 / 27–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–468 | 423–468 | 387–401 | 387–401 | 387–401 | |
| Complaints filed | 16 | 15 | 162 | 242 | 409 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Acura RDX have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2013 Acura RDX?
Visibility & Lighting: 97 of 162 NHTSA complaints (60%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Acura RDX get?
EPA rates it 22–23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Acura RDX?
EPA estimates $3,350–$3,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $3,350 (low) | 387 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $3,500 (high) | 401 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 37 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 97 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 19V182000 · Mar 7, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 16V061000 · Feb 3, 2016
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 13V143000 · Apr 16, 2013
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.