Is the 2018 Acura RDX reliable?

The 2018 Acura RDX has 97 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: FUEL SYSTEM problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Acura RDX?

Top problems: FUEL SYSTEM (33 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (10 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (10 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Acura RDX?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Contact any Acura dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Acura RDX?

The 2018 Acura RDX gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2018 Acura RDX often stolen?

Theft risk tier for the Acura RDX: low. HLDI insurance loss data suggests lower-than-average theft claims for this model.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Acura RDX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Acura RDX is approximately $1,912/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Acura RDX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Acura RDX has 97 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 97. 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. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

4 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

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

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Acura RDX

Based on 29 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 7K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP18/12/2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

Low theft risk

Low theft rates typically correlate with lower comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Acura RDX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Acura RDX

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,912

Full coverage / month

$159

Liability only / year

$688

vs US avg

+14%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk0.90x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1912

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Acura RDX Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Uses Maintenance Minder — actual intervals adjust based on driving conditions. Values shown are typical.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Acura New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / 50K mi

Includes 3 years complimentary maintenance for 2025+

These are the terms for a new Acura. If you're buying a used 2018 RDX, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Acura dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

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
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Acura dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)