2012 Acura RDX: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 15 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Acura RDX. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 148,000. However, following an oil change service, it was later discovered that the actual vehicle mileage was 248,553.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2025
“Vehicle will completely shut down while driving causing the brakes to lock and causing a major safety concern for others and the person driving the car. Once the vehicle shuts down the car will need to be put in park, turned off and completely restarted again. This incident has happened to my vehicle several times ranging in speeds from 0mph to 70mph while driving on the express way. This always happens when the vehicle is in motion and stationary as well. It has happened at a stop light as well as on the highway.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2018
“I noticed vibration while driving in town as if I had flat tires, and especially when I was accelerating. After a week I had my suv checked at the garage. They had to replace the right and left line axle assemblies which was quite expensive. The mechanics told me that it was completely finished and found it highly unusual for a 2012 acura rdx.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Takata recall. The driver air bag was recalled and replaced. When I questioned why the front passenger side air bag was not being replaced also. The dealership said it was not being recalled. I asked if it was a takata air bag. Dealership would not answer. Only saying it was not being recalled. My complaint is: I do not know if my front passenger air bag is safe for the riders in my car.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 acura rdx. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available....updated 10/11/16 *bf *cn”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 acura rdx. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 acura rdx. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 acura rdx. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags) was issued in february of 2016. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be given. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2016
“My vehicle has only 50k miles. While driving on the highway I noticed a sound when moving the steering wheel. When I exited the road the wheel was more difficult to turn and the sound increased. My vehicle was towed to a garage and I was told that I needed a costly replacement of th rack-n-pinion.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2016
“1. Noticed vehicle leaking oil at front of engine block. Dealer inspected and after several attempts identified a casting/manufacturing defect in right front top of engine block (notch) that was causing oil leak. 2. Several days later on may 21st for no apparent reason, moonroof imploded. *tt”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2012
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact RDX by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Acura RDX reliable?
NHTSA has 15 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Acura RDX. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2012 Acura RDX have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.