Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Acura RDX problems

Owners filed 439 complaints about the 2019 Acura RDX with NHTSA between Aug 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is visibility/wiper (97).

Complaints
439
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Air bags12
  11. Fuel system, gasoline12
  12. Suspension5
  13. Steering5
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)5

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
20188
201967
202041
202128
202232
202333
202487
202574
202669

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

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

Power train

37 reports
“Three weeks ago when New York had the two big snow storm and the road condition was really bad, my Acura RDX unexpectedly pop up warning message that says disabling of AWD (switching to FWD). This happened every time when it snow and will disappear when the weather is good.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2026Power trainODI 11723390

Fuel/propulsion system

31 reports
“Vehicle: 2019 Acura RDX (Technology Package) I am reporting a serious safety issue involving sudden loss of engine power while driving. On March 14, 2026, I filled my gas tank before traveling approximately 1.5 hours out of town. The vehicle operated normally that day. The following morning, during snowy and icy conditions, while accelerating in traffic, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard (“Christmas tree” effect), and the steering became very stiff, making it difficult to safely maneuver the vehicle out of traffic. I was able to restart the vehicle, but warning lights remained on. The next day, while driving on the highway under normal conditions, the same issue occurred again. While accelerating, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled in traffic, creating a dangerous situation. In response, the fuel pump inside the gas tank was replaced; however, the problem persists. The vehicle continues to display warning lights and still loses power when accelerating. I contacted an Acura dealership after seeing reports of a fuel pump recall for similar vehicles, but I was told my VIN was not included.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11728433

Structure

23 reports
“I own a 2019 Acura RDX that I purchased new in 2018. It has now experienced three separate major water-intrusion events. The first two occurred while I lived in [XXX], including an incident in approximately 2021 that required an insurance claim, extensive repair, and about a month without the vehicle. The current incident occurred in [XXX]. Because the same issue has occurred in two different states and multiple times, I do not believe it is an isolated environmental event. In the current incident, I discovered pooled water beneath the front passenger-seat carpet and in the rear cargo area where the vehicle’s audio-system equipment is located. The audio system has stopped working. Before I discovered the water, the interior windows repeatedly fogged while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, indicating excessive moisture trapped inside the cabin. The water may have been present for several days. The vehicle appears to require removal or lifting of the passenger seat and carpet to dry the underlying padding, inspect wiring and connectors, and prevent mold, corrosion, and further electrical damage. The rear cargo area and audio components also require…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2026Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11763186
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.