Problems · NHTSA complaints
2018 Acura RDX problems
Owners filed 78 complaints about the 2018 Acura RDX with NHTSA between Jan 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is fuel/propulsion system (17).
Complaints
78
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Fuel/propulsion system17
- Fuel system, gasoline17
- Power train13
- Engine11
- Electrical system8
- Vehicle speed control7
- Forward collision avoidance4
- Service brakes4
- Lane departure3
- Air bags3
- Structure3
- Exterior lighting2
- Seats2
- Steering2
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 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
10
3
2
3
6
7
28
8
11
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 28 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 11 |
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
Fuel/propulsion system
17 reports
“The light comes on due to an emission system warning, shaking, and a lack of power; the engine is severely misfiring. This is the second time I have complained about this to the NHTSA”
Fuel system, gasoline
17 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Power train
13 reports
“This is a supplemental report to document a severe, recurring safety hazard involving an uncommanded loss of motive power and delayed acceleration from a complete stop. The vehicle is a 2018 Acura RDX with approximately 75,000 miles. The automatic transmission 4th clutch fluid pressure switch (diagnostic trouble code P0873) has failed twice in less than a six-month period. The switch was initially replaced in early July using a brand-new OEM dealership part. The vehicle had also previously undergone a full transmission fluid flush. Despite verified wiring and clean fluid, the replacement OEM component has prematurely degraded and failed yet again under identical driving conditions. The failure manifests intermittently while the vehicle is at a complete stop, such as at an intersection. Upon attempting to accelerate from the stop--specifically during critical driving maneuvers like executing a left turn across oncoming traffic--the vehicle experiences a sudden, severe lag in acceleration, harsh shifting, and drops into an uncommanded limp mode/protection state. This unpredictable, delayed acceleration leaves the vehicle lagging directly in the path of oncoming…”
Engine
11 reports
“The torque converter is defective in my 2018 Acura RDX. I have received flashing warning lights on my dashboard in Red " Check Transmission." This warning light is due to Acura's defective torque converter. The torque converter affects the shifting of power during driving and cause hesitance or shuddering when attempting to accelerate.which causes my vehicle to sometimes to have a decrease in power . This affects my safety while driving my 2018 Acura RDX. Acura is aware of this defect and safety risk. Acura Client Relations informed me that Acura was mandated by the government to provide a Warranty Extension for the 2017-2018 Torque Converter. I received one of these notices and took my car for the repair. I left my car with the dealership for 6 days. The dealership decided that they will not repair my car because they have determined my car has a "branded title." I purchased my vehicle used from an Auto Body Shop. My vehicle was declared to be salvaged. My engine/transmission/torque converter is the original on my Acura RDX. and was never damaged or repaired. My RDX torque defect should be a safety recall because it affects my safety.”
Electrical system
8 reports
“The transmission went into limp mode one day after coming to a stop. When I safely got home, I turned the car off. Upon restarting, the issue was gone, but this has now happened several times. Each time, putting the car into park, shutting it off, and restarting it "resets" whatever was going on. Eventually the CE light came on, got the code, and it came back as P0873. The CE light was off after once again shutting the engine off and then restarting. I've purchased the necessary materials to complete the repair, but I've read on many forums this is a common issue, with some even reporting it recurring even after replacing the pressure switch. Acura should issue a recall and absolve all consumers of costs incurred. URLs provided below from Reddit threads and an Acura discussion forum regarding similar issues all over. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX]”
Vehicle speed control
7 reports1 crash
“My car lurches when I put it into gear, drive or reverse. When a red light turns green and I put my foot on the accelerator the car will lurch forward. I was in my garage when I started my car and my foot was firmly on the brake as I shifted into reverse with my foot on the brake the car violently lurched backwards.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.