Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2019 Acura RDXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 439 owner complaints for the 2019 Acura RDX. Most complaints involve visibility/wiper (97) and engine (90). The EPA rates it 23–24 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
23–24mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
439
Top: visibility/wiper
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Air bagsReported May 21, 2026NHTSA 26V332000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 18, 2023NHTSA 23V858000

Seat belts: buckle assembly

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching.

Seat beltsReported Mar 9, 2023NHTSA 23V158000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

439 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2018 – Oct 2026
  1. Visibility/wiper97
  2. Engine90
  3. Electrical system39
  4. Power train37
  5. Fuel/propulsion system31
  6. Structure23
  7. Service brakes22
  8. Visibility17
  9. Vehicle speed control17

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
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Visibility/wiper

97 reports
“I came out to my car which is parked on my driveway and went to put something in the trunk. When it opened I saw and heard things falling and looked to me like pebbles and was confused. After looking closely, my rearview window was shattered and it was pieces of the rearview glass window that was broken and was falling down. I had driven the car an hour prior and there was no windshield damage nor did anything hit my car (ie: an airborne rock). I picked up pieces of the broken glass from my driveway to prevent any punctured tires. I immediately called my local Acura dealer to arrange for a replacement. The car is currently there and the repair is going to cost approximately $1500. There was no indication of this issue happening (nothing hit the window, etc). I have numerous pictures and a video of the whole rear windshield. The problem has been confirmed with the dealer and the glass hole continued to get larger as I was driving the car from my home to the dealership which is less than 5 miles. I have done a quick online research and see that this spontaneous breakage of the rearview window has happened with other 2019 RDX owners. As my car is outside of the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026Visibility/wiperODI 11770178

Engine

90 reports
“Premature valve cover gasket oil leak and rear shock absorber oil leak at 43,818 miles At 43,818 miles on 04/25/2026, Acura dealer documented on RO XXX: "Valve cover gasket leaking - Recommend replacement $500+Tax" and "Rear Shock/Strut starting to leak oil residue $435.64". This is premature failure. Valve cover oil leak can cause engine fire hazard - oil leaking onto hot exhaust. Rear shock oil leak causes loss of stability and increased stopping distance. Dealer quoted over $3,500. Repaired at independent shop with OEM parts for $1,670. Honda Case #XXX denied goodwill citing out of warranty. VIN: [XXX], 44k miles, well maintained. Request investigation for 2019 RDX premature oil leaks.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2026Suspension, EngineODI 11752557

Electrical system

39 reports
“The factory-installed LED Daytime Running Light (DRL) system on my 2019 Acura RDX has failed. The passenger-side DRL is completely inoperative, and an authorized Acura dealership documented that the driver's-side DRL is beginning to fail as well. The affected components are available for inspection upon request dealership has declined to provide further documents and American Honda Moto Daytime Running Lights are a safety-related exterior lighting system designed to improve vehicle visibility to other motorists. The failure of one DRL and the developing failure of the second DRL may reduce vehicle visibility and create a potential safety concern. On July 3, 2026, Cerritos Acura inspected the vehicle and confirmed the condition. The dealership's written diagnosis states: "Recommend passenger headlight assembly due to daytime running light out. Recommend driver's headlight assembly due to daytime running light going out as well." The dealership recommended replacement of both headlight assemblies. The dealership found no evidence of collision damage, misuse, unauthorized modifications, or water intrusion. The DRL is an internal LED component that is not…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11762633
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S10)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-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 Oct 28, 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 FWD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
222824$3,300370
RDX FWD A-SPEC
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
222724$3,300374
RDX AWD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
212723$3,450385
RDX AWD A-SPEC
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
212623$3,450385
  • RDX FWD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 28 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • RDX FWD A-SPEC
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 27 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • RDX AWD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 27 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • RDX AWD A-SPEC
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 26 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Acura RDX 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.0%
Overall
5 / 5
Acura RDX 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 13082Vehicle 13081
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

2019 RDX questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Acura RDX have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 2019 Acura RDX problems?

Owners filed 439 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility/wiper (97), engine (90), electrical system (39). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Acura RDX get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Acura RDX at 23–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Acura RDX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Acura RDX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026