2015 Acura RDX problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 365 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Acura RDX, most often about lighting. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
365
Recalls
3
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Median mileage
76,500 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Lighting is the most-reported problem area, named in 338 of 365 complaints (93%).
  • Visibility & Wipers (19) and electrical system (7) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 76,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries.
  • The 2015 Acura RDX has 3 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 2nd of 19 Acura RDX model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 109% more complaints than the 2014 model year (175).

2015 Acura RDX problems by category

  • Lighting · 3 crashes
    338 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    19 complaints
  • Electrical System
    7 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    6 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    6 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    5 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    4 complaints
  • Engine
    3 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    2 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    1 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints
  • Steering
    1 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 lighting325
Visibility/wiper18
Exterior lighting:headlights11
Electrical system7
Air bags6
Structure:body6
Fuel/propulsion system5
Unknown or other4

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k10k–30k1430k–60k1960k–100k11100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2015 Acura RDX complaints that list mileage.

2015 Acura RDX recalls (3)

  • Recall 19V500000Jun 27, 20191,558 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

  • Recall 19V182000Mar 6, 20191,101,534 vehicles
    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.

  • Recall 16V061000Feb 3, 20162,232,187 vehicles
    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

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2015 Acura RDX SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
2015 Acura RDX SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Recent 2015 Acura RDX complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 5, 2026MDLighting
    The low beam headlights are very dim at night time. An extreme safety issue. I had to occasionally use the high beam headlamps for proper visibility. I had the bulbs replaced and the brightness did not improve at all. I spoke with the service department at the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and was advised that the headlamp assemblies need replacing. I replaced them at a significant cost.
    NHTSA complaint #11769140 · source
  2. Filed Sep 27, 2026GALighting
    The deteriorating chrome in the headlight projector is impossible to see. I just miss head on collision. And weeks before. I have purchased all and every headlight bulb and nothing works. Either I’m going to die in a wreck or kill somebody. Due to this ongoing problem with the projector. Please recall 2015 Acura RdX projectors so know one gets hurt.
    NHTSA complaint #11767257 · source
  3. Filed Sep 22, 2026TXLighting
    My low beam headlights have not been giving off enough light to see at night. Upon further investigation, I found several complaints regarding the same problem with the year and make of my car. I went yesterday, 9/21/26 and had the bulbs replaced with LED for $190 and the problem still exists. I have to use my high beam headlights to see at night, which is unsafe and illegal. Acura should be held accountable for faulty equipment and not their loyal customers.
    NHTSA complaint #11766073 · source
  4. Filed Sep 14, 2026VALighting
    The component that failed is the low-beam headlight system, specifically the internal projector lens housings of both the driver and passenger side headlight assemblies. The reflective chrome coating inside the projector bowls has degraded, delaminated, and burned away due to heat from halogen lightbulbs. This failure severely compromises nighttime driving safety. Because the reflective backing inside the headlights has deteriorated, the low-beam bulbs cannot project light…
    NHTSA complaint #11764096 · source
  5. Filed Aug 6, 2026FLLightingVisibility & Wipers
    Reflectors on low beam headlights have completely failed. Provides almost no illumination and is very dangerous to drive at night. Changing bulbs, cleaning outer lens makes no difference, the entire housing needs to be replaced.
    NHTSA complaint #11755291 · source
  6. Filed Aug 1, 2026OHLighting
    The HID low beam headlamps are not putting out enough light to drive the vehicle at night. This is dangerous, and I drive home from work at night. The inner low beam lens has degraded and become hazy. This would require the entire headlight housing to be replaced, which are very expensive - about $1,700. I believe this is the same problem that 2015 Acura RLX are experiencing, and recall JN2 was created. I don't understand why the 2015 Acura RDX models weren't included in…
    NHTSA complaint #11754106 · source
  7. Filed Jul 21, 2026TXLighting
    There is a defect in my headlights, too dim to drive at night, have to engage high beams to see. This is a safety hazard. I believe this should be repaired by the manufacturer
    NHTSA complaint #11751826 · source
  8. Filed Jul 15, 2026ALLighting
    Headlight reflector assemblies have delaminated causing headlight output to be very dim to the point that driving at night is not safe.
    NHTSA complaint #11750714 · source

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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