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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2020 Acura RDXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 351 owner complaints for the 2020 Acura RDX. Most complaints involve visibility/wiper (84) and engine (55). The EPA rates it 23–24 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
23–24mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
351
Top: visibility/wiper
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
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 22, 2026NHTSA 26V332000

Air bags: front passenger

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.

Air bagsReported Feb 1, 2024NHTSA 24V064000

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 19, 2023NHTSA 23V858000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

351 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2019 – Oct 2026
  1. Visibility/wiper84
  2. Engine55
  3. Electrical system27
  4. Structure26
  5. Power train22
  6. Service brakes22
  7. Fuel/propulsion system21
  8. Vehicle speed control19
  9. Visibility18

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
2020351
2021117
202231
202324
202412
202530
20261
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Visibility/wiper

84 reports
“My car was parked and off at a local park, I loaded my [XXX] son in the backseat of the car and then I got into my car. Before even turning car on I heard a loud pop sound and got out to look around and then realized it was the back windshield shattering. Apparently this is a known issue with Acura where the rear windshield will spontaneously shattered for no reason. Safety wise this is a concern since I have a child in the back seat and glass is shattering into the car as well as outside on pavement .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 18, 2026Visibility/wiperODI 11732013

Engine

55 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the head gasket had failed and that the engine and head gasket needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2026EngineODI 11769626

Electrical system

27 reports1 crash1 fire
“• The Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) bus network / FAKRA coaxial service cable connectors failed. This failure directly controls the primary infotainment assembly and the central safety display screen. The vehicle and its active components are currently intact, fully operational (with the defect present), and available for inspection upon request. • The hardware defect causes sudden, unpredictable total blackouts of the central display screen while driving. This completely disables the safety rearview/backup camera and mutes vital audible driver-assist safety alerts. Additionally, the defect causes extremely loud, jarring, and distracting popping and crackling noises through the audio speakers while moving, creating an immediate driver distraction and safety hazard on public roads. • Yes. The vehicle was brought to an authorized Acura dealership service center, where the active symptoms (crackling audio and system instability) were documented. Furthermore, the issue perfectly matches the diagnostic criteria of Acura's official technical service campaign (TSB 23-025). • The vehicle has been inspected at an authorized Acura dealership service department…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Electrical systemODI 11768024
All 2020 RDX problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 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 · All-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 Nov 11, 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$3,200370
RDX FWD A-SPEC
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
222724$3,200374
RDX AWD
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212723$3,350385
RDX AWD A-SPEC
Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212623$3,350385
  • RDX FWD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 28 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • RDX FWD A-SPEC
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 27 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • RDX AWD
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 27 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • RDX AWD A-SPEC
    Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 26 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 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 SUV 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 SUV 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 Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 14143Vehicle 14142
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

2020 RDX questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Acura RDX have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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 2020 Acura RDX problems?

Owners filed 351 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility/wiper (84), engine (55), electrical system (27). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Acura RDX get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Acura RDX at 23–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Acura RDX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Acura RDX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026