The 2021 Acura RDX's moderate safety profile includes 2 recall campaigns and 111 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

111

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

21V9390002021-02-12

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

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.

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.

View at NHTSA

26V3320002026-21-05

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.

Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2021 Acura RDX has accumulated 111 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with unknown or other leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Unknown Or Other21

02Visibility/wiper8

03Service Brakes8

04Power Train7

05Air Bags6

111 total across 1 model years (2021–2021)Full data at NHTSA.gov

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Acura RDX Fuel Economy

EPA fuel economy data for all 2021 Acura RDX trims

23–24mpg combined

21-22city

26-28hwy

$3,150-$3,300/yr

With 4 configurations tested, the 2021 Acura RDX ranges from 23 to 24 MPG combined. That's a 1 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim

RDX FWD - Automatic (S10)

24mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

22 city28 hwy~$3,150/yr5/10 Average

RDX FWD A-SPEC - Automatic (S10)

24mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

22 city27 hwy~$3,150/yr5/10 Average

RDX AWD - Automatic (S10)

23mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

21 city27 hwy~$3,300/yr5/10 Average

RDX AWD A-SPEC - Automatic (S10)

23mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · All-Wheel Drive

21 city26 hwy~$3,300/yr5/10 Average

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

w/ Tech & AcuraWatch Plus Pack Trim Buyer Questions

What to know about the 2021 Acura RDX w/ Tech & AcuraWatch Plus Pack

How does the w/ Tech & AcuraWatch Plus Pack compare to other Acura RDX trims?

The w/ Tech & AcuraWatch Plus Pack occupies a distinct position in the Acura RDX range. See how it stacks up on the 2021 overview page.

What should I know about maintaining the 2021 Acura RDX w/ Tech & AcuraWatch Plus Pack?

Maintenance costs for the w/ Tech & AcuraWatch Plus Pack align with the broader Acura RDX ownership experience, though trim-specific equipment can add to routine costs. The 2021 model year has 2 recalls on record. The most-reported issue area is unknown or other. Check the 2021 Acura RDX page for the full breakdown.

What are the best years for the Acura RDX w/ Tech & AcuraWatch Plus Pack?

For the w/ Tech & AcuraWatch Plus Pack, look at the price-to-mileage ratio across model years. Later model years before a redesign tend to be the most refined version of the platform. See the Acura RDX buyer's guide.

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