repaired · 2020 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
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…
2013 Acura RDXProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 163 owner complaints about the 2013 Acura RDX, most often about the exterior lighting. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-182 the manufacturer reports only 49% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 8, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2013 Acura RDX has problems
163 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
90Exterior lighting2 crash/fire/injury
36Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
8Visibility/wiper
7Power train
7Electrical system
6Suspension
3Seats
2Service brakes
2Visibility
139 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 90 | 2 |
| Air bags | 36 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 8 | 1 |
| Power train | 7 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 2 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 13 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2013 Acura RDX recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
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…
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Acura.
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Exterior lighting
16 owners mentioned a cost$2,000median
Middle half: $1,750 – $2,625
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2013 vs. every other RDX year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RDX median. How we score
'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2013 Acura RDX safety ratings
2013 Acura RDX SUV 4WD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2013 Acura RDX, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What RDX owners report
Recent exterior lighting complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
We have cleaned the lenses where they are in new condition. Replace the bulbs with high-quality bulbs and the ability to see at night has not improved, causing a serious safety concern that we have now considered having to sell the car. Acura has issued a recall for the same problem on a different…
The headlight housings on this generation of 2013 Acura MDXs completely fail due to a design flaw that causes the housing to overheat and dim the lights to a dangerous level. At night, you would be safer if you were driving with flashlights taped to the hood of the vehicle. I’m sure this has caused…
The headlights do not produce enough light to see the road. Every time the car is driven at night it is extremely dangerous.
Own a 2013 RDX?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.