Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Acura RDX problems

Owners filed 415 complaints about the 2015 Acura RDX with NHTSA between Dec 2014 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is exterior lighting (343).

Complaints
415
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Exterior lighting343
  2. Air bags33
  3. Visibility/wiper21
  4. Structure10
  5. Electrical system8
  6. Fuel/propulsion system6
  7. Power train4
  8. Engine3
  9. Steering3
  10. Suspension3
  11. Visibility2
  12. Vehicle speed control2
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  14. Tires1

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 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20142
20155
201629
20171
20184
20197
202017
202140
202257
2023106
202481
202536
202630

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Exterior lighting

343 reports3 crashes
“I have experienced the following situations while driving: •At night, drivers approaching from the opposite direction signal me to turn on my headlights, even though my headlights are already on. •In rainy conditions, I often have to pull over because I cannot adequately see the road markings. •Recently, while driving on neighborhood streets lined with mature trees, I failed to see a curb and struck it because of the limited visibility. My vehicle's history shows that an Acura dealership replaced the headlight bulbs in 2020, at approximately 77,000 miles, slightly beyond the basic warranty period. Since then, I have replaced both low-beam bulbs again in 2026. My exterior headlight lenses are clear, and replacing both bulbs has not resolved the problem. In October 2026, Acura dealership inspected my vehicle. The dealership documented that both headlight bulbs were operating properly and that the electrical output was proper at 12V. The dealership recommended replacing both headlight assemblies due to cloudiness inside the headlight lenses resulting from moisture/oxidation. The dealership also documented that it could not perform photometric output testing…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperODI 11770839

Air bags

33 reports2 crashes3 related recalls
“The Airbag is coming on off every day . 12/15/2925 Acura John Eagle dealer want me to pay the repair they said I don’t have the recall . I may bring car to home without repairing airbag. Please help me.with the recall letter for airbag I apreaciate. Ha”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 15, 2025Air bagsODI 11705099

Visibility/wiper

21 reports
“Reflectors on low beam headlights have completely failed. Provides almost no illumination and is very dangerous to drive at night. Changing bulbs, cleaning outer lens makes no difference, the entire housing needs to be replaced.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2026Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiperODI 11755291

Structure

10 reports1 crash
“The sunroof of the vehicle spontaneously shattered while driver was driving on I-5 South in Orange County, California. Driver’s safety was compromised due to the potential for glass to have entered the vehicle while vehicle was in motion. The safety of other motorists on the road was also compromised, as pieces of glass appear to have flown off the sunroof into traffic. The sudden shattering was also extremely loud and startling, which was also a safety hazard because driver could have panicked and lost control of vehicle. After calling to report the incident to Acura, owner was advised the vehicle’s sunroof has not been recalled nor is it under an extended warranty, despite evidence of a class action lawsuit against American Honda Motor Co., Inc. for related incidents in 2015 to 2021 vehicles. Per the lawsuit, which is a case out of California, the alleged defect in 2015 to 2021 model year Honda and Acura vehicles, referred to in the complaint as the “class vehicles,” puts drivers and their passengers in “serious danger,” as the sunroof explosions can cause “shards of glass to fly through their vehicles, sometimes while driving at high speeds,” and “the loud…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2025Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11692759

Electrical system

8 reports
“Common problem with this year and model is the low beam projector headlight assembly dims. This is a huge hazard and makes it impossible to see at night with low beam lights. I cannot see more than 30 feet in front of the vehicle at night making the reaction time to any potential threat non-existent at freeway speed and severely reduced in neighborhoods. All options investigated are to replace assembly, not lightbulb. This is a manufacturer fault and cost should be bourn by the manufacturer. Same problem with the RLX and Acura voluntarily recalled those headlights for replacement. They should be required to do the same for these.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2026Electrical systemODI 11711530

Fuel/propulsion system

6 reports
“Re: Safety Concerns with 2015 Acura RDX Engine. My vehicle has experienced multiple serious engine failures beginning December 8, 2023, when it suddenly lost power while driving with a flashing check engine light. Despite multiple repair attempts by McDaniel's Acura dealership (timing belt replacement, spark plugs, front cylinder head replacement, pulley replacements), the issues have persisted and worsened. Technicians found oil in cylinders 1&3, metal debris in the oil filter, and diagnosed the engine as failing in May 2024. Current symptoms include white smoke from the tailpipe, engine rattling, and ongoing risk of sudden failure. This vehicle was leased new in 2015, purchased after lease term, and consistently maintained at Acura dealerships. Despite opening two cases with Acura Client Relations (#14622769 on April 29 and #14633862 on May 6, 2024), Honda Financial declined assistance. The dealership only offered a trade-in "incentive" while admitting they couldn't resell my vehicle due to its condition, and would instead auction in off. I'm unable to safely use this as my primary transportation. Similar engines have had multiple recalls between 2018-2023,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2025Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11659143
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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