2018 Acura RDX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Acura RDX has 97 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is fuel system problems (34% of all complaints), specifically: when my gas cap warning light kept going on in spite of my loosening it and tightening it and then my emission system light came on, i brought the car to the dealer. they found that there was a leak in the connection between the filler pipe and the gas tank. both had to be replaced on a car with 3,0.

4 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

FUEL SYSTEM

33 complaints

34%

• WHEN MY GAS CAP WARNING LIGHT KEPT GOING ON IN SPITE OF MY LOOSENING IT AND TIGHTENING IT AND THEN MY EMISSION SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FILLER PIPE AND THE GAS TANK. BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED ON A CAR WITH 3,0
• HAVE HAD THIS CAR A YEAR. WITHING 6 MONTHS SHIFTER WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK TO PARK AND COULDNT TURN CAR OFF. DEALER FOUND ACORNS JAMMED IN TRANSMISSION SOMEWHERE FELT TO BE DUE TO SQUIRRELS OR OTHER RODENTS. THIS MONTH EMISSONS LIGHT CAME ON. FOUND FUEL LINE LEAKING DUE TO ANIMALS CHEWING ON IT. N
• When I am stopped the vehicle routinely lurches as I touch the gas. I’ve complained to the dealer about it and they can’t reproduce the problem. It does lurch for my husband also. It hasn’t caused any injuries or damage, so far.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHEN MY GAS CAP WARNING LIGHT KEPT GOING ON IN SPITE OF MY LOOSENING IT AND TIGHTENING IT AND THEN MY EMISSION SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FILLER PIPE AND THE GAS TANK. BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED ON A CAR WITH 3,0”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

10 complaints

10%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 ACURA RDX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AND PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE TAILGATE, AND THE ALARM SOUNDED. THE CONTACT WALKED OVER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, WHICH WAS AJAR, BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AND KNOCKED THE CONTACT OVER. THE
• WHEN MY GAS CAP WARNING LIGHT KEPT GOING ON IN SPITE OF MY LOOSENING IT AND TIGHTENING IT AND THEN MY EMISSION SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FILLER PIPE AND THE GAS TANK. BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED ON A CAR WITH 3,0
• THIS IS RELATED TO COMPLAINT #11143782. TWO MONTHS AFTER MY GAS TANK WAS REPLACED DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTION BETWEEN IT AND THE FILLER PIPE, THE BOLTS HOLDING THE REAR PROPELLOR SHAFT CAME LOOSE AS I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY CITY STREET, MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. AT THAT TIME, MY CAR HAD 3761 MILES ON

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 ACURA RDX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AND PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE TAILGATE, AND THE ALARM SOUNDED. THE CONTACT WALKED OVER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, WHICH WAS AJAR, BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AND KNOCKED THE CONTACT OVER. THE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

10 complaints

10%

• WHILE CORNERING THE CAR STALLS/HESITATES WITH NO POWER. OCCURS AT LOW SPEED.HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES ON CITY STREET SINCE PURCHASE OCT.5,2017. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT SIMULATE BUT FAILED TO DO ANY TESTING ?
• HAVE HAD THIS CAR A YEAR. WITHING 6 MONTHS SHIFTER WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK TO PARK AND COULDNT TURN CAR OFF. DEALER FOUND ACORNS JAMMED IN TRANSMISSION SOMEWHERE FELT TO BE DUE TO SQUIRRELS OR OTHER RODENTS. THIS MONTH EMISSONS LIGHT CAME ON. FOUND FUEL LINE LEAKING DUE TO ANIMALS CHEWING ON IT. N
• The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure also recurred while switching lanes or passing other vehicles. The contact also stated that the vehicle would lunge forward soon after hesitation withou

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE CORNERING THE CAR STALLS/HESITATES WITH NO POWER. OCCURS AT LOW SPEED.HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES ON CITY STREET SINCE PURCHASE OCT.5,2017. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT SIMULATE BUT FAILED TO DO ANY TESTING ?”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

8 complaints

• I WAS PULLING IN TO A PARKING SPACE AT WORK, MILDLY STEPPED ON GAS AS I PULLED IN AND PLACED FOOT ON BRAKE TO STOP CAR WHEN I PARK BUT THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, TIRES SCREECHED AND CAR WENT OVER CURB AND ALMOST RAN INTO TREE. SEE PICTURE ATTACHED. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STOPPED.
• WHILE CORNERING THE CAR STALLS/HESITATES WITH NO POWER. OCCURS AT LOW SPEED.HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES ON CITY STREET SINCE PURCHASE OCT.5,2017. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT SIMULATE BUT FAILED TO DO ANY TESTING ?
• A WESTBOUND DISTRACTED DRIVER SWERVED INTO MY LANE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND MY AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM SLOWED ME TO THE POINT THAT I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ONCOMING VEHICLE CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER FOLLOWING IMPACT (SEE ATTACHED HSMV CRASH REPORT NUMBER 87263383).

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“I WAS PULLING IN TO A PARKING SPACE AT WORK, MILDLY STEPPED ON GAS AS I PULLED IN AND PLACED FOOT ON BRAKE TO STOP CAR WHEN I PARK BUT THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, TIRES SCREECHED AND CAR WENT OVER CURB AND ALMOST RAN INTO TREE. SEE PICTURE ATTACHED. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STOPPED.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

7 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 ACURA RDX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, RODENTS ENTERED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CHEWED ON THE BATTERY CABLE AND SEVERAL WIRING HARNESSES LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ACURA OF OCEAN (909 NJ-35, OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ 07712, (732) 776-5200
• The car kept stalling while I was trying to accelerate on the highway. I pulled over and turned it off and the problem resolved itself
• The vehicles adaptive cruise control is unreliable. Guidance system goes haywire and cannot stay on track to destination. Carplay becomes inoperable. Have had Tameron Eastern Shore Honda who sold car to me check problem on multiple occasions and they cannot find problem.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 ACURA RDX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, RODENTS ENTERED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CHEWED ON THE BATTERY CABLE AND SEVERAL WIRING HARNESSES LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ACURA OF OCEAN (909 NJ-35, OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ 07712, (732) 776-5200”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 97 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
FUEL SYSTEM: WHEN MY GAS CAP WARNING LIGHT KEPT GOING ON IN SPITE OF MY LOOSENING IT AND TIGHTENING IT AND THEN MY EMISSION SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FILLER PIPE AND THE GAS TANK. BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED ON A CAR WITH 3,0
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 ACURA RDX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AND PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE TAILGATE, AND THE ALARM SOUNDED. THE CONTACT WALKED OVER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, WHICH WAS AJAR, BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL AND KNOCKED THE CONTACT OVER. THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WHILE CORNERING THE CAR STALLS/HESITATES WITH NO POWER. OCCURS AT LOW SPEED.HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES ON CITY STREET SINCE PURCHASE OCT.5,2017. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT SIMULATE BUT FAILED TO DO ANY TESTING ?
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: I WAS PULLING IN TO A PARKING SPACE AT WORK, MILDLY STEPPED ON GAS AS I PULLED IN AND PLACED FOOT ON BRAKE TO STOP CAR WHEN I PARK BUT THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, TIRES SCREECHED AND CAR WENT OVER CURB AND ALMOST RAN INTO TREE. SEE PICTURE ATTACHED. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STOPPED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)