Is the 2021 Acura RDX reliable?

The 2021 Acura RDX has 147 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Acura RDX?

Top problems: OTHER (28 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (18 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (14 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Acura RDX?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER. Contact any Acura dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Acura RDX?

The 2021 Acura RDX gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2021 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 2021 Acura RDX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Acura RDX is approximately $2,007/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.

2021 Acura RDX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Acura RDX has 147 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.5x the segment average of 97. The most common issue is other problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: both myself and husband have heard knock or loud pop sound. one loud knock or two with slight level change such as entering or leaving driveway. many other acura rdx owners have reported same issue. appears to be flexing of panoramic sunroof. my vehicle is one week old (was courtesy vehicle) 202. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

4 crash reports 2 injuries

147

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

28 complaints

19%

• BOTH MYSELF AND HUSBAND HAVE HEARD KNOCK OR LOUD POP SOUND. ONE LOUD KNOCK OR TWO WITH SLIGHT LEVEL CHANGE SUCH AS ENTERING OR LEAVING DRIVEWAY. MANY OTHER ACURA RDX OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SAME ISSUE. APPEARS TO BE FLEXING OF PANORAMIC SUNROOF. MY VEHICLE IS ONE WEEK OLD (WAS COURTESY VEHICLE) 202
• Brand new 2021 Acura RDX panoramic sunroof exploded less than 2 weeks after purchase. I was driving when all the sudden, out of nowhere, there was a loud pop/explosion sound. I immediately pulled over and inspected the but didn't find anything. Not one scratch or dent anywhere. It wasn't until I was
• All sound warnings are very low and impossible to hear them especially with the music on. The volume is very low and will not override the music volume. The warning volume is very low and driver can’t increase the volume. Especially the blind spot warning on the right side, if you miss it, it’s an

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

“BOTH MYSELF AND HUSBAND HAVE HEARD KNOCK OR LOUD POP SOUND. ONE LOUD KNOCK OR TWO WITH SLIGHT LEVEL CHANGE SUCH AS ENTERING OR LEAVING DRIVEWAY. MANY OTHER ACURA RDX OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SAME ISSUE. APPEARS TO BE FLEXING OF PANORAMIC SUNROOF. MY VEHICLE IS ONE WEEK OLD (WAS COURTESY VEHICLE) 202”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2021 Acura RDX

Based on 16 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 23K 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+

VISIBILITY

High-mileage issuemedian 60K mi · 5 reports

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 (3)

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT02/12/2021

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Acura RDX and 2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. A component in the right or left front driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which could result in driveshaft failure.

Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, or cause the vehicle to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the right or left front driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BBY, NBW, and OBX.

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 2021 Acura RDX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/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 2021 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

$2,007

Full coverage / month

$167

Liability only / year

$688

vs US avg

+20%

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 age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$2007

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 2021 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

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 147 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: BOTH MYSELF AND HUSBAND HAVE HEARD KNOCK OR LOUD POP SOUND. ONE LOUD KNOCK OR TWO WITH SLIGHT LEVEL CHANGE SUCH AS ENTERING OR LEAVING DRIVEWAY. MANY OTHER ACURA RDX OWNERS HAVE REPORTED SAME ISSUE. APPEARS TO BE FLEXING OF PANORAMIC SUNROOF. MY VEHICLE IS ONE WEEK OLD (WAS COURTESY VEHICLE) 202
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 2021 RDX A-spec 7322 miles northbound Hwy 95 Nevada to Oregon, raining. Attempted to pass semi, car behind me also passing semi, sudden loss of power, almost hit from behind, risk of on-coming traffic, able to move to right behind semi. Feeble response to any attempt to accelerate, barely limping al
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, SHE HEARD A CLUNKING AND RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL AREA. DURING ACCELERATION AND STOPPING, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JENK
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: The contact owns a 2021 Acura RDX. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary in the driveway, he noticed that the rear windshield had shattered. Upon inspection, the contact stated he did not see any near objects that would have caused the windshield to shatter. The contact read online of
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Acura dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)