2021 Acura RDX Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 20%of 117 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Acura RDX, 20% of the 117 complaints for this model year. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“It was raining and I was sat at a stop light. The brakes started to slip a little no matter how much I pressed then all of a sudden the entire car started shutting down. Engine, Transmission, Power Steering, Lane Keep Assist, Collision warning, all the lights started flashing. The car was put into Limp mode.”
NHTSA complaint #11659951, filed 2025-05“While accelerating off the entrance ramp onto the highway, The engine randomly slows down automatically…the car reduced speed drastically without applying brakes and without cars around me or in front of me.”
NHTSA complaint #11639766, filed 2025-01“Vehicle lost all coolant and could be smelled. Vehicle was towed to dealership before it could overheat. Diagnosed with a cracked cylinder head at 88,000 miles. Vehicle has never been modified, tracked, nor has it ever overheated. All service has been performed on time and at Acura dealership since I purchased the vehicle brand new. Vehicle is still at dealership. I've researched and found many other owners experiencing the same problem with the crack occurring in the exact same spot on the cylinder head.”
NHTSA complaint #11751130, filed 2026-07“I was driving in the rain, accelerated to pass a vehicle and the engine lost power. The check engine light came on and the car went into limp mode. The car would barely go 40 mph on a highway and the speed seemed to be continuing to decrease. Luckily I was able to pull over and shut the car off. Restarted, the problem appeared to go away. This is a very dangerous situation and I have read other people reporting similar incidents.”
NHTSA complaint #11420614, filed 2021-06“Drove into parking lot and as I was pulling into the parking spot next to the building, the vehicle started to surge forward as if I had my foot on the gas instead of the brake. The sudden surge caused the vehicle to plow into a brick building causing about $10K damage to the vehicle and $5K to the building. This was not the first time this sudden surging occurred. It happened at least 3 times previously, and one time since. Fortunately, the other occurrences did not lead to any damages, but just some anxious moments. …”
NHTSA complaint #11665825, filed 2025-06Related service bulletins
- 11023274Sep 17, 2025Service Bulletin - Oil leak at the cam chain tensioner inspection cover due to and insufficient sealant adhesion on the inspection cover.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 8% |
| 2023 | 4 | 17% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 23 | 20% |
| 2020 | 55 | 16% |
| 2019 | 90 | 20% |
| 2018 | 11 | 14% |
| 2017 | 11 | 14% |
| 2016 | 7 | 17% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 7% |
| 2010 | 2 | 9% |
| 2008 | 1 | 3% |
| 2007 | 4 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2021 Acura RDX
31 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Acura RDX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology