VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Acura RDX2007–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Acura RDX
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Acura RDX Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 263 complaints
4 reported injuries
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 recalls · 229 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
3 recalls · 203 complaints
7 reported injuries
Top issue: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Acura RDX — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 85 | 40 | 69 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 30 | — | — | 74 | 55 | 67 | Good |
| 2024 | 1 | 6 | — | — | 88 | 68 | 81 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 1 | 6 | — | — | 90 | 78 | 86 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 16 | 2 | — | 86 | 85 | 86 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 2 | 74 | 2 | — | 76 | 88 | 80 | Good |
| 2020 | 3 | 203 | 7 | — | 67 | 87 | 74 | Avoid |
| 2019 | 3 | 263 | 4 | — | 68 | 83 | 73 | Avoid |
| 2018 | 1 | 45 | 3 | — | 84 | 77 | 82 | Good |
| 2017 | 1 | 47 | 1 | — | 85 | 70 | 80 | Good |
| 2016 | 2 | 22 | 3 | — | 87 | 63 | 79 | Good |
| 2015 | 3 | 229 | 3 | — | 72 | 56 | 66 | Avoid |
| 2014 | 3 | 119 | — | — | 77 | 50 | 68 | Caution |
| 2013 | 3 | 72 | 2 | — | 80 | 45 | 68 | Good |
| 2012 | 2 | 10 | — | — | 91 | 41 | 74 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 2 | 9 | — | — | 92 | 38 | 73 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 2 | 16 | 1 | — | 90 | 38 | 72 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 2 | 13 | — | — | 91 | 38 | 72 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 3 | 16 | — | — | 88 | 38 | 71 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 2 | 35 | 4 | — | 87 | 38 | 70 | Good |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Acura RDX Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the RDX compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2022 (Buyer Score 86).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 80).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year RDX to buy?+
The 2022 Acura RDX scores highest on our Buyer Score (86/100) — combining a reliability score of 86/100 with a value score of 85/100. It has 1 recall and 16 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which RDX years have the most problems?+
The 2019, 2015, 2020 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2019 RDX leads with 3 recalls and 263 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common RDX problems?+
The most frequently reported Acura RDX issues involve: EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, AIR BAGS, VISIBILITY/WIPER. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.