Skip to content
Acura RDXModel year report

2013 Acura RDX Problems

Compared with other Acura RDX years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2016

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
162filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
47,500miles, 39 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
23 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 20 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 Acura RDX (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about headlights that gradually lose brightness, leaving low beams too dim for night driving; most say new bulbs don't help and dealers point to the housing itself. A smaller group reports transmission shudder or jerking while accelerating, and rear shock noise or roughness over bumps. Several complaints involve the driver's airbag inflator recall and long waits for parts.

  1. Exterior lighting

    Dim low-beam headlights (fading projector housing)

    • 89 complaints (55%)
    • median 102,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 18 quotes)
    • filed 2014–2026

    Owners describe low beams that slowly become weaker over years of use until they barely light the road at night, and many say replacing the bulbs made little or no difference. Several report rain or snow makes visibility worse and that they resort to high beams. According to the complaints, dealers either found nothing, polished or adjusted the housing, or said the whole headlight assembly needed replacement; a few owners who paid for new assemblies report the problem returning. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 22,000 to 150,000 miles, and usually described as gradual rather than sudden.

    What to check: At night, compare the low-beam spread on a dark road and look at the inside of the projector housing for clouding, discoloration or flaking. Ask whether the headlight assemblies have been replaced and keep the cost in mind.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Both headlights are too dim to safely drive at night. I was pulled over by a state trooper for not having my lights on when they were actually on. Acura has a recall for this issue on the 2014 ilx. The 2013 RDX should also be included in this recall.”

    NHTSA complaint #11384194, filed 2020-12, 102,000 miles

    “Headlights are very dim. Because of dimness of my headlights, others car were not able to see me and came in front of me, the lights are so dim that I can’t see at night, rain, snow and just simply can’t see the line. I’m going to take my car into to dealership to formally get diagnosed but apparently his is ongoing problem on this models”

    NHTSA complaint #11510490, filed 2023-03
  2. Transmission and drivetrain

    Shudder, jerking or hesitation during acceleration

    Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

    Complaints describe a shudder, vibration or jerking felt while accelerating, often from a stop or at moderate speeds, and sometimes a surge forward when decelerating toward a light. Several owners say the dealer attributed it to the torque converter or to transmission fluid breakdown and changed the fluid or mentioned a software update. Some report the symptom returning after the fluid service. Mostly noted between roughly 40,000 and 78,000 miles, and often while accelerating or merging.

    Recall 13V1430007 related service bulletins

    What to check: Test drive at light and moderate throttle from a stop and at 20-60 mph, feeling for shudder, and ask if the transmission fluid service or the software update described in the service bulletins was performed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When vehicle is between 2nd and 3rd gear going at a consistent speed there is a vibration. Vibration goes away upon acceleration. It does this as well between 4th & 5th gear. After 55mph it doesn't happen. Called crest Acura and was told that it is the deactivation of cylinders and that is what it is supposed to do. I then took the vehicle to my mechanic who stated it should not do that. Took vehicle to crest Acura on 2/13/14 to address the blue tooth that is awful and had a technician ride with me to feel the vibration. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10565823, filed 2014-02, 100 miles

    “I am having issues with when you accelerate, the trans jerks & flutters, which is quite dangerous when trying to merge into traffic. I would like this checked into & something done about it, as I love my car, but that is a danger not only me & my family but others as well. There is also a loud clanging noise in the rear, like shocks. I do not live or go down bumpy dirt roads or messed up roads with pot holes. But for my car to be this new, it should not have bad shocks already. As this is concern of mine & by reading others as well.”

    NHTSA complaint #11180265, filed 2019-02, 75,000 miles
  3. Suspension

    Noise and rough ride from rear shocks

    • 6 complaints (4%)
    • median 33,650 mi at 3.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2014–2019

    Complaints describe a knocking or clunking sound from the rear and a ride that feels rough over small bumps, with some owners saying a rear shock was replaced more than once. Dealers replaced rear dampers in several cases, and a few owners say a repeat visit produced no finding. Mostly reported between about 15,000 and 75,000 miles, often noticed on uneven pavement or driveways.

    What to check: Drive over uneven pavement at low speed and listen for clunking from the rear; ask whether the rear shocks have been replaced and check them for fluid seepage.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I am a very careful driver who drives mostly local driving. Without any warning I suddenly started hearing a knocking sound coming from by back drivers side. Then noticing a rough drive and hard knocking sound when driving even over small bumps in the road. I had to replace the back shocks! Which was quit expensive!! My car only has 55 thousands miles. I find that to be very unusual on a 5 years old car with on 55 thousand miles. Is this normal”

    NHTSA complaint #11151583, filed 2018-11, 55,255 miles

    “Update to original complaint, Acura dealer said they could not find anything wrong with my car in october 2014, had me test drive a 2015 Acura RDX to compare the ride to mine. Taking car back again this week january 7th 2015. Car ride is unacceptable to me !!! I feel it is riding even worse than it was in october when they said they couldn't find anything wrong. I feel every small bump in the road and when I have to go over a slightly bigger bump or pull up in a driveway I hear a hollow clunking sound. Overall rough ride. Very disappointed. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10670102, filed 2015-01, 17,300 miles

Buying note. Check the headlights carefully on a night test drive, since dim low beams are the most common owner report and can mean new assemblies. Then confirm recall status for the airbag inflator, feel for transmission shudder and rear suspension noise, and ask for service records.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 162 consumer complaints for the 2013 Acura RDX. 39 of the complaints include a mileage, and 51% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 47,500 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 122 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 10 Acura RDX model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Steering (2), Body and structure (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Equipment (1), Seat belts (1), Tires (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Exterior lighting: “It is a commonly known (with consumers) problem, that manufacturers choose to ignore. I have a 2013 Acura RDX, that I bought new in december 2012. The vehicle has never been in any type of accident. The vehicle has always been maintained by myself, or an Acura/honda dealership. My problem are the headlights. I can not see much with them anymore. I have never put any aftermarket LED type or other bulbs, nor have they ever been altered in any way. I replaced the bulbs (with oem style) thinking it was the bulbs themselves, with the same results. …”

NHTSA complaint #11391070, filed 2021-02, 150,000 miles

Air bags: “Takata recall since being initally notified by Acura of honda march 2016, I have had no communication nor repair by honda, despite several calls to the dealer. Dealer simply repeats that he has not received the required parts from honda/Acura to repair this defect, despite Acura's own description of the problem as being potentially dangerous, with possible injury or even death resulting. …”

NHTSA complaint #10885993, filed 2016-07, 25,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The brand new car was on fire by itself on october 30, 2012. It was after the hurricane sandy. My family woke up because of smelling gas from downstairs which was the attached garage to the kitchen. When my husband opened the kitchen door to the garage, he couldn't see anything but smokes. We called 911 and found out there was fire inside of the car. The fire started internally and spread out to the garage. There was sign of water that got into the garage. However, when fire fighter opened the garage door, there was no water in the garage. The front of the car was fine. …”

NHTSA complaint #10485884, filed 2012-11, 500 miles

Electrical system: “My new 2013 RDX caught on fire at my garage in the day after hurricane sandy. Acura and auto insurance company(progressive) insists that the car caught on fire by flooding. However, car battery and engine are fine. Only front seat, dashboard, and navigation system were burned and the fire damaged my garage too. Furthermore it does not make sense that flooding caused fire at all. I showed my RDX to Acura technicians, but silent. Isn't it a defect of new model?”

NHTSA complaint #10485859, filed 2012-11, 500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

51% of the 39 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,000 and 75,000 miles.

21%0–1021%10–2510%25–5021%50–7510%75–10013%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (39 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 47,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’12’14’1632’18’20’22’24’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2013 Acura RDX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
RDX 2WD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic202823$3,550
RDX 4WD3.5L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192722$3,750

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2013 Acura RDX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 122 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 122 bulletins →

Other model years of the Acura RDX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2025302,1001523Too new to compareToo new
20241216,5002523—Too new
20232418,9942524—Too new
2022318,000252445 · TypicalRising
202111730,000352487 · MoreRising
20203506,3505524100 · MoreRising
201944111,1615524100 · MoreRising
2018786,500152333 · FewerRising
20178013,500152343 · TypicalRising
20164125,500252335 · FewerStable
201541655,000352389 · MoreRising
201424460,000352382 · MoreRising
201316247,5003—2350 · TypicalRising
20121540,0002—21—Rising
20111665,3352—21—Falling
20102270,0002—21—Stable
20091533,8992—19—Rising
20083360,0003—190 · FewerStable
20075368,0572—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Acura RDX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Acura RDX?

Owners of this model year most often write about headlights that gradually lose brightness, leaving low beams too dim for night driving; most say new bulbs don't help and dealers point to the housing itself. The issues reported most often: Dim low-beam headlights (fading projector housing); Shudder, jerking or hesitation during acceleration; Noise and rough ride from rear shocks.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013 Acura RDX have?

NHTSA recorded 162 consumer complaints for the 2013 Acura RDX as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2013 Acura RDX is reported most often?

Exterior lighting is named most often, in 89 complaints (55% of the total), followed by air bags with 36.

Has the 2013 Acura RDX been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Acura RDX get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Acura RDX (RDX 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2013 Acura RDX reported?

Among the 39 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 47,500 miles and the middle half falls between 15,000 and 75,000 miles; 51% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.