Problems · NHTSA complaints
2014 Acura RDX problems
Owners filed 244 complaints about the 2014 Acura RDX with NHTSA between Aug 2013 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is exterior lighting (163).
Complaints
244
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Exterior lighting163
- Air bags41
- Visibility/wiper10
- Electrical system8
- Suspension8
- Structure3
- Service brakes3
- Vehicle speed control3
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Steering2
- Engine2
- Seat belts2
- Power train2
- Fuel/propulsion system1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
8
2
41
4
6
6
15
23
30
42
28
25
13
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 41 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 23 |
| 2022 | 30 |
| 2023 | 42 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 13 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Exterior lighting
163 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2014 Acura RDX. The contact stated that the headlights were extremely dim at night. The passenger inquired to the contact if the headlights were turned on. The contact used the high beam headlights while driving at night. The manufacturer was contacted through the customer complaint line. An independent mechanic confirmed that the low beam headlights were extremely dim. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.”
Air bags
41 reports2 related recalls
“Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding an unresolved airbag system failure in my Acura vehicle, and the lack of a timely or safe remedy despite the issue being acknowledged and covered under a manufacturer warranty extension. The airbag system in my vehicle was first diagnosed as failed in September 2025 by my local mechanic and shortly thereafter confirmed by an authorized Acura dealership. The defective component (part number 77810TX4-A40ZA) is currently on backorder and has been unavailable for several months. I have been placed on a priority waitlist, but no estimated timeline for repair has been provided. This issue is particularly concerning because it directly affects the vehicle’s safety systems. I have effectively been driving a vehicle without functioning airbags since the initial diagnosis. Despite the clear safety risk, Acura has not provided an adequate interim solution. Given the seriousness of the issue, I recently requested a loaner vehicle from Acura so that I would not have to continue operating an unsafe vehicle. This request was denied, and I was informed that I am not…”
Visibility/wiper
10 reports
“We are noticing what many others are with similar age RDX models - the headlamp assemblies are terribly dim leading to low visibility without using the high beams (not always possible). We have replaced the headlamps with really high output ones, with no real difference. The faulty inside of the headlamp assemblies are making it much harder to see at night, especially in rain or other bad weather. At highway speeds, we rarely see obstacles until we're right on top of them.”
Electrical system
8 reports1 fire
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Acura RDX. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 92,551. The Carfax Report sent from the dealer indicated that the mileage was 93,000. After retrieving a Carfax Report, the mileage was 162,551.”
Suspension
8 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 ACURA RDX. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLUCKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ACURA OF LIMERICK (77 AUTOPARK BLVD, LIMERICK, PA 19468, (610) 495-5888) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 09313264. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD SPLIT THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Structure
3 reports
“Certain areas of the roof and tailgate are peeling off, exposing bare metal. This is a one owner Car that has been garage since new.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.