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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2010 Acura RDXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints for the 2010 Acura RDX. Most complaints involve air bags (13) and power train (2). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Mar 2019
Owner complaints
22
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Mar 6, 2019NHTSA 19V182000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 3, 2016NHTSA 16V061000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

22 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2010 – Aug 2019
  1. Air bags13
  2. Power train2
  3. Seat belts2
  4. Electrical system2
  5. Engine2
  6. Fuel system, gasoline2
  7. Wheels1
  8. Engine and engine cooling1
  9. Seats1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each RDX model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200753
200833
200915
201022
201116
201215
2013162
2014244
2015415
201641
201780
201878
2019439
2020349
2021117
202231
202324
202412
202530
20261
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

13 reports
“I PURCHASED A 2010 ACURA RDX FROM CAR ZONE, LOCATED AT 18690 VAN BUREN BLVD I RIVERSIDE, CA. BEFORE THE PURCHASE, I ADDRESSED THE TIRE PRESSURE AIR LIGHT AND THE UNSTEADINESS OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE IN WHICH THE DEALER DID NOT FIX. I TOOK THE CAR TO METRO ACURA IN MONTCLAIR, CA FOR THE RECALL ON AUGUST 5TH. I DROVE 3 BLOCKS AND THE AIR BAG SAFETY LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT BACK TO METRO ACURA ON AUGUST 9TH AND THEY STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. I FILED A CASE WITH ACURA , #09780205 ON AUGUST 12TH. AT THIS POINT, NO ONE WANTS TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE AIR BAG MAINTENANCE. THIS SHOULD NOT BECOME MY PROBLEM BECAUSE THE AIR BAG RECALL SHOULD'VE BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE DEALER BEFORE THE PURCHASE. ACURA CORPORATE AND METRO ARE POINTING THE FINGER AT EACH OTHER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE WHOM RIDES IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. AT THIS POINT, I JUST WANT IT FIX BEFORE IT BECOMES A LIABILITY. PLEASE ADVISE, WHO SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RESOLUTION? THANKS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2019Air bags, Seat belts, WheelsODI 11243386

Power train

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE ALSO JERKED VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING AND SHUDDERED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO CAM AUTOMOTIVE (309 HARRISBURG AVE, LANCASTER, PA 17603, (717) 435-9799), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2019Power trainODI 11252009

Seat belts

2 reports1 crash
“WAS SITTING AT A TOP LIGHT AND CAR HIT ME FROM BEHIND. MY SEAT BELT DIDN'T STOP ME AND HIT MY HEAD AND ARM ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IT DID STOP THE PASSENGER. FILED A COMPLAINT WITH ACURA AND THEY SAID THE SEAT BELT WORKED AS DESIGNED. I AM 5'10 SO I DO NOT SIT CLOSE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. IF THE SEAT BELT WOULD HAVE STOPPED ME, I WOULD HAVE NOT SLAMMED MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND GOTTEN A HEAD INJURY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 6, 2011Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 10438821
All 2010 RDX problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S5)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RDX 2WD
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
192421$3,700423
RDX 4WD
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172219$4,050468
  • RDX 2WD
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • RDX 4WD
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    17 city · 22 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Acura RDX as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5459
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 RDX questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Acura RDX have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Acura RDX problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (13), power train (2), seat belts (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Acura RDX get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Acura RDX at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026