2020 Acura RDX transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 9, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transfer case is leaking. Then the engine overheated. Confirmed and inspected by the dealer. No warnings prior to the incident.

   NHTSA complaint #11762948 · source
2. Filed Apr 1, 2026MNTransmission & Drivetrain

   Powertrain failed in 2020 Acura RDX Tech Pkg AWD. Only 2 weeks after the 6 year warranty expired on the vehicle the powertrain failed and set off the check engine light. Dealer service department found an excessive amount of shavings in the plug. The vehicle only had 41,345 miles on it before transmission/powertrain failed and there was only 1 owner for the vehicle. It was purchased brand new from the dealer and vehicle was well-maintained.

   NHTSA complaint #11728589 · source
3. Filed May 5, 2025OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   Under full throttle acceleration while merging onto highway the car would not deliver power and the check engine started flashing. Pressing the accelerator did not make the car go. I had to pull over and stop the car. I turned it off and turned it back on and was able to drive away. Both times, the weather was very humid and I was merging on a ramp that had an uphill incline. This happened twice within a few days. The first time was on 3-MAY-2025 and the second time was on…

   NHTSA complaint #11658858 · source
4. Filed May 23, 2023CADriver Assistance & Safety TechTransmission & Drivetrain

   My car transmission light came on...check engine. Then said blind spot warning not working. See dealer. My car transmission warning message appears every time I accelerate to 60mph. It switches to sport mode on its on and I am unable to switch it back. My cameras malfunction for blind spots. The car sound is louder and usually it's quiet. I take my car in regularly for servid3 with the dealer. This is very strange. I am scared to go past 60mph.

   NHTSA complaint #11523569 · source
5. Filed Mar 2, 2023280,093 miCATransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and changing lanes, the vehicle decelerated with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to accelerate; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that after several minutes the vehicle started to operate as designed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 280,093.

   NHTSA complaint #11509836 · source
6. Filed Mar 28, 202236,000 miKSTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at 70 MPH in the rain, the vehicle upshifted and downshifted independently. The check engine warning illuminated. The vehicle continued to downshift. The accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle continued to decelerate. The contact veered to the side of the roadway and parked the vehicle. The contact then turned off the vehicle for 30 seconds. The contact stated…

   NHTSA complaint #11458718 · source
7. Filed Oct 20, 2021ALTransmission & Drivetrain

   Pulled out to pass and when I tried to accelerate, the engine basically died. It didn't turn off, but dropped to limp mode and the check engine light started flashing. Engine stayed in limp mode until being turned off and on again. In limp mode, car would not even go 10 mhp on even a slight uphill incline. Doubt it would have made it up more of a hill. This could be a huge safety problem if there had been more traffic. Acura is aware of the problem and says it is a design…

   NHTSA complaint #11437457 · source
8. Filed Aug 6, 2021NJTransmission & Drivetrain

   When accelerating, my vehicle continues to have sudden deceleration, loss of power and stalls. While driving, the vehicle continues to have very sudden decelerate and loses power which is very dangerous given the volume and speed of other vehicles on the road. When driving steady for more than 30 minutes, you can hear the vehicle downshift or trying to go into another gear. It's only a matter of time before an accident happens if it has not yet already happened to someone…

   NHTSA complaint #11428094 · source
9. Filed Jul 30, 20215,040 miTXCrash2 injuredTowedElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owned a 2020 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle inadvertently slowed down and without warning a strange noise came from the engine compartment and a sudden jerk to the wheel when the vehicle accelerated without warning up to approximately 100 mph. The contact was able to exit the highway where the vehicle made another strange noise from the engine compartment and the wheel jerked when the vehicle accelerated without…

   NHTSA complaint #11427232 · source
10. Filed Jul 9, 2021TXTransmission & Drivetrain

    Driving 40 MPH in heavy rain, had to accelerate quickly while changing lanes, engine when into derate. Check engine flashing, loss of power, engaged 4 way flasher, went 25mph to interstate exit.

    NHTSA complaint #11424098 · source
11. Filed Jun 23, 2021ILTransmission & Drivetrain

    I was on a three hour drive in the rain and around the 2.5 hour mark I attempted to overtake a vehicle by rapidly accelerating. The vehicle had a complete loss of power and the check engine light illuminated. The car would not accelerate however the engine was running. I had to get to the shoulder across multiple lanes without engine power. The vehicle would only drive at idle speed until I powered the vehicle down and restarted at which time normal operation resumed and the…

    NHTSA complaint #11421972 · source
12. Filed Jun 22, 2021VAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    While driving, the engine suddenly lost power and started blinking the engine light and went into the "limp mode" mentioned here: https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/auto-news/nhtsa-report-2020-acura-rdx-lost-power-while-driving/ I was forced to pull over without power and wait with the engine off until it resumed normal function. This could have caused a crash without the power to drive on the highway.

    NHTSA complaint #11421788 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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