KnownCarProblems2021 Acura Rdx Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 116 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Acura Rdx, most often about the other or unspecified (27% of complaints). It is 6th of 20 Rdx model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2021 Acura Rdx problems
Other or unspecified
31 complaints · 27%Both myself and husband have heard knock or loud pop sound. One loud knock or two with slight level change such as entering or leaving driveway. Many other Acura Rdx owners have reported same issue. Appears to be flexing of panoramic sunroof. My vehicle is one week old (was courtesy vehicle) 2021 Acura Rdx. In shop…
Engine
23 complaints · 20%Brakes
16 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: disc.
Visibility and wipers
15 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, fixed panaramic roof/sky light assembly.
The contact owns a 2021 Acura Rdx. The contact stated that while attempting to open the trunk, the rear window glass shattered. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the shattered glass was not covered under warranty and suggested that a local glass…
The contact's sister owns a 2021 Acura Rdx. The contact stated that the rear glass had shattered while the vehicle was parked in the driveway. The dealer was contacted and advised that the earliest availability to replace the glass was in 3-4 days. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened…
Transmission
13 complaints · 11%The contact owns a 2021 Acura Rdx. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, he entered and started the vehicle; the contact then shifted from park(p) to drive(d) and the gear shifter independently shifted back into park(p). The contact stated that the failure had occurred three times…
Air bags
11 complaints · 10%Body and structure
10 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: body.
Both myself and husband have heard knock or loud pop sound. One loud knock or two with slight level change such as entering or leaving driveway. Many other Acura Rdx owners have reported same issue. Appears to be flexing of panoramic sunroof. My vehicle is one week old (was courtesy vehicle) 2021 Acura Rdx. In shop…
The contact owns a 2021 Acura Rdx. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front headlights and instrument panel lights started blinking off and on. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the body control module had malfunctioned due to water…
Electrical
10 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: body control module/bcm.
The contact owns a 2021 Acura Rdx. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front headlights and instrument panel lights started blinking off and on. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the body control module had malfunctioned due to water…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Acura Rdx recalls
Air bags: front passenger
Risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed july 7, 2026. Owners may contact honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are bol, wo9, ooa, wom, xoh, noc, pod, boe, uof, pob, eog, aoi, qo8, toj, do7, and sok. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24v064. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning may 29, 2026.
Full defect summary
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: front passenger
Risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed march 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are xhp and vhq.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 pilot, accord, civic sedan, hr-v, odyssey, 2020 civic coupe, fit, 2021-2022 civic hatchback, 2021 civic type r, insight, 2020-2021 cr-v, cr-v hybrid, passport, ridgeline, accord hybrid, 2020 acura mdx, 2022 acura mdx, 2020-2022 acura rdx, and 2020-2021 acura tlx vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: 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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the right or left front driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed january 24, 2022. Owners may contact honda customer service 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are bby, nbw, and obx.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2021 Acura Rdx
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Acura Rdx?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: other or unspecified (31 complaints); engine (23 complaints); brakes (16 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Acura Rdx have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 21, 2026 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Acura Rdx?
- It is 6th of 20 Rdx model years by number of complaints, with 116 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.