6.4

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,319 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2019 Acura RDX engine problems

engine problem

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2019 Acura RDX Owner Comments

problem #15

Jul 242022

RDX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On July 24, 2022, while driving from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois back to our home in Lisle, IL, in a heavy rainstorm, our RDX suddenly started flashing the engine light and lost power on Interstate 57. We were fortunate to be able to maneuver it to the side of the road, and off the nearby ramp at Bradley, IL. We -€˜googled-€™ the circumstances on our iphone, to learn that this is considered a serious, potentially life-threatening situation, and that Acura recommended immediate Service Bulletin 20-053, dated May 25, 2021, states the symptom as -€œThe MIL is flashing with loss of power.-€ It indicates -€œCorrective Action-€ for the RDX as -€œUpdate the PGM-FI and replace the intercooler, the intercooler outlet pipe assembly and the intercooler outlet hose.-€ Affected vehicles include -€œALL-€ 2019-2020 RDX models.-€ Despite the Service Bulletin that was issued, many RDX owners, noted the same response from their local Acura dealer. They note that the dealers -€œplayed dumb, -€ claim they could not locate a Service Code, nor -€œreplicate the conditions and response-€ in the shop-€¦. precisely my experience! In fact, the Service Receipt, indicates the car was driven less than one mile, hardly sufficient to replicate conditions. Acura Client Relations has refused to assist. I contacted the CEO Jon Ikeda but his office has not responded. I fear driving the car in wet conditions.

- Lisle, IL, USA

problem #14

Jun 252022

RDX

  • miles
Brake hold disengages and the car starts to move forward often. The manual states it should stay engaged for 10 minutes. Car pulls away at stop lights and towards pedestrians and bikers while brake hold is engaged. https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-rdx-problems-fixes-458/brake-hold-issue-977762/

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #13

Jul 112021

RDX

  • miles
Vehicle went into limp mode while I was accelerating up to speed onto a highway crossing lanes and driving uphill. All acceleration stopped, and the vehicle quickly decelerated due to being on a steep hill. It was not raining at the time. I had moved into the leftmost lane, and luckily there was a left shoulder to pull the car onto. The check engine light came on and was flashing. I turned the car off and back on, and it started. There could have been a very bad accident.

- Beachwood, OH, USA

problem #12

Sep 302020

RDX

  • 28,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car stalls while accelerating. Must turn off and restart to drive again. While entering freeway with signal, car jerks hard to correct lane transition. Car breaks hard with large distance between 2 vehicles.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #11

Oct 122020

RDX

  • 32,000 miles
I was driving on the interstate at about 65 mph. It was raining. I needed to accelerate quickly in order to avoid a car that was trying to merge into my lane. When I hit the accelerator, the car cut off. This caused me to loose speed and almost have an accident. I had to restart the car to get it back into drive.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #10

Oct 172019

RDX

  • 4,500 miles
Lkas system is dangerous - will pull to the right then shift to left dramatically and then overshoot markers. Will take you off the road, car will not stay in the correct lane. Does not recognize double yellow lines and cuts right across them, sometimes unexpectedly. Pays no attention to them driving on a 8 lane highway, in the fast lane with cruise control on. I am passing a car/truck going slower in the next lane to my right. All of a sudden, the car just hits the brakes and sounds an alarm. Very dangerous, can be hit from behind due to sudden unexpected braking. My car was not close to the other vehicle only approaching it. I've had the same thing happen when I'm moving to an exit lane with the blinker on. When approaching an entrance onto the interstate, the car sees the guard rail as a hazard and again, brakes hard while flashing the warning light. E car, I have reported it to the service group but as always the problems occur randomly I've also had it happen with a loner, a 2020 model. When approaching an entrance onto the interstate, the car sees the guard rail as a hazard and again, brakes hard while flashing the warning light. Stupid! the turn signal is in use. These are vehicle hazards caused by the so called, enhanced safety features, but which, in fact, create a situation that is dangerous. If anyone else drives the car, I have to spend time educating them of the 'problems' they may encounter driving the car. I have reported it to the service group but as always the problems occur randomly and never when the car is in for service. I've also had it happen with a loner, a 2020 model.

- Huntley, IL, USA

problem #9

Jul 242020

RDX

  • 11,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1. twice while driving, warning lights flash "approaching object" when there is nothing around the vehicle, speed about 20mph, empty, rural road, no bad weather, 8am in the morning. 2. when trying to start the vehicle, the entire car shuddered and would not turn over. Re-tried and the car started. Car was stationary in a garage. 3. while driving about 60 mph, hwy 29 North in danville, va, the entire car shuddered for 2-3 seconds losing power. The vehicle didn't shutoff and I was able to resume safe driving. No inclement weather at the time. 4. while at a stop light in Virginia, the vehicle lurched forward (accelerated on it's own) when I took my foot off the gas pedal and I had to slam on brakes. I was able to resume safe operation afterwards. No inclement weather. Normal busy traffic in northern va. Refer to repair order # 6138673, 7/31/2020, Chevy chase Acura, bethesda, md for additional info.

- Graham, NC, USA

problem #8

Sep 092020

RDX

  • 34,000 miles
I had the cruise and lkas on and set to 75. I manually cancelled cruise and began to increase speed to get into another lane. While pressing the accelerator, my Rdx coasted and decelerated instead of gaining speed. I made an emergency stop (as safe as possible) and put the Rdx in park. Shifted into drive again and the vehicle started moving. When pressing the accelerator, speed would not increase and I could hear my rpms going up but you wouldn't know it by looking at the gauge. Keep in mind the malfunction light is blinking, solid, blinking, and then stops altogether (never have saw this orange light until this happened). I turned the vehicle off and back on, and drove away like it never happened and the light was gone.

- Siloam, NC, USA

problem #7

Jan 022020

RDX 4-cyl

  • 16,500 miles
Driving vehicle est 40mph, straight road city right lane. Car ahead of me (est 2 + car length) turned right, and was no longer on the road I was driving, my vehicle slowed down. I did not press brakes or change drive to neutral. There was no input from me to change vehicle speed. "space reserved" bars use radar to keep designated space. There were no bars for a safety margin. No lights or indicators display on dashboard for reason of deceleration. Normally if I am close to a person who is turning off the road, sensors may detect than and flash brake on the dashboard. This same braking when a person turned has occurred when I was in the left lane city road westbound.that vehicle was approaching me, a 4 lane wide street. I was on the left lane of my divide, the other vehicle was in the right line of their divide eastbound. That opposite vehicle was turning right, my car slowed down although the other car was twice as far away compared to the right-turn complaint above. No input from me, no dashboard warnings, too far away to be considered a safety issue. Another occurrence: Was driving straight, est 20mph city road.. came towards a small dip in the road, est 3' wide, shallow. No vehicles on road. Car slowed down, no indications. I stepped on the gas, no response. Pressed drive button, no response. After getting over the dip, I pulled to the side of the road. Turned car off and restarted, drove correctly after that. Used same road to come back, car handled dip in road appropriately. Summertime drive. Separate issue: Brakes are squealing when I drive car at low speeds. City roads, varied speed limits; 25mph to 40mph. Reversing out of parking, press brakes, squeal. Drive to stop sign, squeal. Drive from that stop sign in straight line, city road, come to stop sign, does not squeal. Environments are different; using vehicle in -15F temp up to 85, 90F.

- Bozeman, MT, USA

problem #6

Jul 312019

RDX

  • 17,470 miles
After a hard stop at a stoplight, when attempting to accelerate the car would not accerlate even when pushing hard and pumping on the gas pedal. Could hear the engine reving but would not go over 20 mph. Took it to the dealer the next day and they could find nothing wrong. Happened a 2nd time when attempting to pass a car. In that instance I recall speeding up to pass the car and once in front if it had to step on the brake due to a pending stop light. When attempting to accelerate again the car would not accelerate. Could hear the engine reving up, but the car would not go over 20 mph.

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #5

Jan 182020

RDX

  • 8,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving my 2019 Acura Rdx I attempted to pass a slower moving vehicle. During acceleration my engine light started flashing and simultaneously the vehicle lost all power to the engine. This prevented me from passing and forced me to fall back in behind the vehicle I was passing. This was extremely dangerous and could have had catastrophic results if another vehicle was approaching. After falling back in behind the vehicle I pulled off onto the shoulder. I turned off the vehicle and waited about 2 minutes and upon turning it back on; it was back to normal. I paid nearly $50,000. To have a safe and reliable vehicle. This vehicle is so unsafe to drive with this issue it basically sits in the garage. Contacting Acura dealers / service departments they know about this but are waiting for the company Acura to come up with a solution. This vehicle is not safe and my life and family's life were put into jeopardy. Acura doesn't have the right to put their customers lives in jeopardy. They need to fix this issue or allow their customers to return this defected vehicle immediately.

- Fort Polk, LA, USA

problem #4

Jan 032020

RDX

  • 9,200 miles
My brand new 2019 Acura Rdx that had 9200 miles on it shut down on me on the freeway. It was raining and I pulled out to pass, going about 75 mph, and it went into what I now know is limp mode and the engine light flashed on and off and the engine was making a different sound than normal. I had someone tailgating me, so I am lucky it didnt cause an accident. Got pulled over and called the dealership and they said it needed to come in. They speculate raindrops got on the engine filter (forget the name) and the car thought it was malfunctioning and shut down. I hadnt turned the car off because I was afraid id be stranded, so I dont know if it would have reset itself. Still, I bought this car for dependability and ive lost all trust. I had had three Acura cars before this. Ive been told theres no fix and engineers are working on it but they couldnt recreate the situation and its working okay now. This is a safety issue. I could have been on a two-lane passing and couldnt get back in when it shut down before an oncoming car! so I cant drive it in the rain or pass now" the dealership had one other Rdx do the same thing and im reading several online. I feel like its russian roulette. Do I just have a lemon or is it a design flaw" im scared! the car is still at the dealership, but there's nothing that can be done because everything checks out. They don't honestly know what to do, so the possibility of being stranded or missing a flight or being injured or killed is not off the table! they know they have a problem but not making it public knowledge. It's a brand new design so there must be a flaw.

- Washington, IN, USA

problem #3

Jul 112019

RDX

  • 500 miles
I just bought a new 2019 Rdx aspec last Friday, and it only has about 500 miles on it. I was driving home tonight and went about 60mph to pass a car and my car completely lost power. I tried pressing the accelerator and I had absolutely no response. My check engine light started flashing. Fortunately, there was a police officer who was able to guide me to the shoulder. I restarted the car and the engine light was gone and I was able to drive off. However, the car still does not seem to have a full throttle response and the RPM is staying at about 3500 in normal mode. The auto-disable engine feature is also not working anymore. It had rained earlier in the day but it was not raining at this point but the roads were wet. I had been driving for about 30 minutes continuously before this at about 60mph.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #2

May 272019

RDX

  • 3,850 miles
Twice now under 5400 miles, while depressing gas peddle to pass on an interstate at around 70 mph, the car totally loses power and engine light comes on leaving us in a very unsafe position in the fast lane of travel. We barely avoided collisions making it to the shoulder. After restarting the car, the engine light is off and car appears to operated normally again. Acura could not find any codes in cpu and told us to bring it back if happens again. Opened a ticket on Acura's web site - no reply for nearly a week now.

- Rogers, AR, USA

problem #1

Feb 272019

RDX

  • 3,970 miles
Uncontrolled acceleration in the two episodes that I described to the dealer when I brought the car in for service, I was unaware of the acc feature. I had not yet, and have still not, used any cruise control or acc. #1. I was in a parking lot of a costco. I had just started the car, backed out of a spot, and proceeded to the end of the row, where I would now turn left onto the main 2 lane (1 in each direction) feeder into the parking lot, from the public street. There was some traffic coming from the left and some coming from the right, but there was room to merge and turn left onto this feeder, to exit the lot. As I began to turn the wheel and slowly press on the gas pedal, the car began to accelerate ' at a much faster rate that was safe in the parking lot, as there were other rows still feeding into this exit drive. I slammed on the brakes, and the car stopped. #2. I had been driving on the freeway for at least 20 minutes and then exited the freeway to go home. As I neared the left turn to enter our street, I stopped to let oncoming traffic clear, and then I released the foot brake and began to turn and slowly press on the gas pedal. Again, the car began to accelerate at a faster rate than was safe onto our narrow street and up a small hill with limited visibility. Again, I slammed on the brakes, and the car stopped ' thankfully out of the oncoming traffic that I had just crossed. In both scenarios, I had not been using any cruise control or acc. It appears, but is not certain, that somehow the acc was active, and when I stopped to turn left, and then accelerated, the acc reengaged and accelerated far more than was safe. I would also point out that 1. in both cases, I was turning left when the acceleration occurred, and 2. in the episode at the costco, I had only just started my car, backed it out of a space, and then proceeded to a turn.

- Cardiff By The Sea, CA, USA

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