2014 Acura RDX problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Acura RDX, most often about lighting. There are 3 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 175
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Median mileage
- 88,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Lighting is the most-reported problem area, named in 160 of 175 complaints (91%).
- Visibility & Wipers (8) and electrical system (5) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 88,000 mi.
- Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries.
- The 2014 Acura RDX has 3 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 4th of 19 Acura RDX model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 75% more complaints than the 2013 model year (100).
2014 Acura RDX problems by category
- Lighting · 1 crash160 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers8 complaints
- Electrical System5 complaints
- Other / Unknown4 complaints
- Body & Structure3 complaints
- Airbags2 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion1 complaints
- Engine1 complaints
- Steering1 complaints
- Suspension1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 152 |
| Visibility/wiper | 8 |
| Exterior lighting:headlights | 8 |
| Electrical system | 4 |
| Unknown or other | 4 |
| Structure:body | 3 |
| Air bags | 2 |
| Steering | 1 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2014 Acura RDX recalls (3)
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
Remedy: 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.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
NHTSA defect investigations
- EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C…
NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Acura RDX SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2014 Acura RDX SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Recent 2014 Acura RDX complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Sep 28, 2026110,000 miMALighting
The contact owns a 2014 Acura RDX. The contact stated that the headlights were extremely dim at night. The passenger inquired to the contact if the headlights were turned on. The contact used the high beam headlights while driving at night. The manufacturer was contacted through the customer complaint line. An independent mechanic confirmed that the low beam headlights were extremely dim. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11767498 · source - Filed Sep 1, 2026TXLighting
Head lights are so dim that I had to pull off side of road to see if they were even on. They were on, but absolutely úseles on dark road way because they are so dim thus making driving at night very dangerous. . Problem started about 85,000 miles. I cannot safely drive at night in this vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11761250 · source - Filed Aug 17, 202686,000 miTXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The contact owns a 2014 Acura RDX. The contact stated that, while attempting to start the vehicle using the Push-To-Start feature, the vehicle hesitated before starting. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with an inoperable fuel pump. The contact was informed that the fuel pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA…
NHTSA complaint #11757464 · source - Filed Aug 4, 2026118,000 miGALighting
The contact owns a 2014 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s and passenger’s side headlights were very dim. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the headlight bulbs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
NHTSA complaint #11754763 · source - Filed Jul 6, 2026NCLighting
The low beam headlight projector lens has degraded to the point of being extremely unsafe and therefore unable to drive at night. Repair for the defective headlight is costly and should be addressed by Honda/Acura as it is a HUGE safety concern. Acura recalled/replaced the defective lens on the 2014-2015 RLX model but has chose not to do so on the RDX with the exact same problem.
NHTSA complaint #11748435 · source - Filed Apr 28, 2026CAAirbags
Dear National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, I am submitting a formal safety complaint regarding an unresolved airbag system failure in my Acura vehicle, and the lack of a timely or safe remedy despite the issue being acknowledged and covered under a manufacturer warranty extension. The airbag system in my vehicle was first diagnosed as failed in September 2025 by my local mechanic and shortly thereafter confirmed by an authorized Acura dealership. The defective…
NHTSA complaint #11734419 · source - Filed Mar 12, 2026TXLighting
My main headlights became DIM after 7 years of ownership. I have gone to the Dealership and had BOTH bulbs Replaced with No Visible Improvement in the Brightness. Given the age of my car, I've also had the Lenses Polished to ensure there's no significant Film on the Outside. Again... No Improvement in the Brightness of the lights. I asked the techs at the Shop about the problem and they said they haven't seen any systemic problems. I'm concerned as this is a Safety Issue and…
NHTSA complaint #11723739 · source - Filed Mar 11, 2026162,551 miCAElectrical System
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Acura RDX. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 92,551. The Carfax Report sent from the dealer indicated that the mileage was 93,000. After retrieving a Carfax Report, the mileage was 162,551.
NHTSA complaint #11723690 · source
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Other 2014 Acura models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology