Acura RDX Common Failures: Breakdowns, Solutions And Reliability!
The Acura RDX is one of the best midsize luxury SUVs you can buy. It has everything you want in a luxury SUV, including a smooth ride, plenty of interior space, and adequate power. However, this great car also has a few faults, in this article we will talk about the common Acura RDX faults , keep reading and find out.
Their resale value is also impressive, considering that luxury SUVs typically lose more in value compared to other vehicle classes. But the numerous positive reviews and good reputation of the Acura RDX make it desirable in the future.
An Acura RDX will depreciate approximately 48% after five years. Considering that the RDX is a luxury vehicle, that rate is exceptional because it’s almost equivalent to the depreciation rate of a regular sedan.
How good is the Acura RDX?
Simply put, the Acura RDX is very reliable. Some reports have given the Acura RDX a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0, which is excellent. A homeowner will spend just under $500 on average in annual service costs . If you ever find yourself visiting the mechanic for an unscheduled repair, the chances of an RDX having a serious problem are slim.
The Acura RDX has great reliability ratings because it doesn’t have major engine problems, which are the most expensive to repair. Many owners are impressed by the overall refinement of the model.
Acura RDX Common Faults
The Acura RDX may have scored exceptionally high by consumers, but like any vehicle, it still has some common issues. Owners have found that certain year models have a higher tendency to have certain problems.
1. Airbag failures
The Acura RDX is one of the 100 million vehicles equipped with Takata airbags. The ammonium nitrate in these airbags becomes unstable over time due to fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
This can cause the bag to rupture or burst with excessive force during deployment . It can explode with enough force to turn this otherwise life-saving device into a grenade that will spray the face with shrapnel made from the airbag’s metal canister.
In June 2016, NHTSA urged Honda and Acura owners of vehicles built between 2001 and 2003 to “immediately stop driving” as these models posed the highest risk. Although 2007 to 2016 Acura RDXs are not high risk, owners are encouraged to call NHTSA regarding the recall.
2. Problems with the brakes
Many owners have reported that the 2016 and 2019 Acura RDX had brakes that would make loud, screeching noises. The sound would only occur when traveling at low speeds. Owners have reported being embarrassed that their luxury SUV brakes with a sound that a large bus would make.
Several owners have taken their vehicles to the dealer. Most owners experienced the problem well before the expected end of their brakes’ life , and expected it to be covered under their vehicle’s warranty. However, some dealers refused to acknowledge the issue or were unable to reproduce it.
Most homeowners simply continued to live with the persistent problem. But some owners chose to replace the brakes with an aftermarket replacement. When one of the owners replaced his brakes, he discovered that a part of the brakes called the lower retaining clip was missing.
This piece is responsible for separating the pads from the rotor. The loud noise could be the result of the brake system not properly separating the pads from the disc. Most owners have reported that the squeal goes away after replacing the brakes.
3. Loss of acceleration
The 2019 Acura RDX seems to have a reputation for losing power and stalling when the driver is accelerating. Several owners have said that this could be a significant safety risk , as it could lead to a situation where the driver is halfway through a risky pass and would suddenly lose power.
The loss of power and acceleration is due to the Acura RDX tending to suddenly engage the cleaning mode. This is a feature that is designed to prevent damage to the engine, transmission, or other vehicles by slowing down the car.
However, most owners did not have a problem with either of those components, and the cause of the activations appears to be some strange interaction or error with the vehicle’s lane change assist. Drivers are often forced to pull to the side of the road when this problem occurs. While some were able to get their vehicles started again, others had to have their SUVs towed away.
There is currently a class action lawsuit against Acura due to the RDX’s tendency to incorrectly activate its reduced power mode.
4. Failure in the infotainment
One of the main selling points of the 2019 Acura RDX is its intuitive infotainment system, as it has many attractive features like Apple CarPlay. However, several owners have reported that the infotainment would suddenly stop working.
One owner reported that the radio was not working and his devices would not connect . The owner’s dealer told them that this problem could be fixed by updating the interface, but the owner has reported that the problem persists even after the update.
Another owner’s dealership stated that a standard fix for this problem was to simply disconnect the RDX’s battery. When that didn’t work, they found a YouTube video on how to reset the infotainment by pressing three buttons at the same time. This restored the infotainment functions. However, they had to re-sync all their devices.
Most RDX model years don’t seem to have any major recurring issues, except for the 2019 model year. The issues related to your brakes and throttle loss are pretty serious and should be considered if you’re looking at a 2019 RDX.
Infotainment-related issues for the 2019 model year can certainly be annoying as well. But the other RDX model years don’t have issues plaguing their owners, which is why the RDX is such a widely recognized luxury SUV.
To end
Overall, the sentiment of many owners on the forums points to the conclusion that the Acura RDX is an attractive pre-owned option in the luxury SUV segment. Knowing the experience of other homeowners is important because it can help you make an informed decision. Once you’re aware of the common faults of the Acura RDX, you can safely buy a used SUV.
