NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Acura RDX 4WD; the most frequently affected component is air bags — inflator module. Owners filed 162 complaints, most often about exterior lighting. Among the 10 model years of this model in the database, 2013 ranks #3 for number of recalls.
Air bags — Inflator moduleCampaign 19V182000 · 06 Mar 2019
Problem: 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.
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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Air bags — Inflator moduleCampaign 16V061000 · 03 Feb 2016
Problem: 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.
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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
Power train — Automatic transmissionCampaign 13V143000 · 15 Apr 2013
Problem: Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
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.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.
What owners complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Exterior lighting35 · 88%
Air bags3 · 8%
Visibility/wiper2 · 5%
Unknown or other2 · 5%
Service brakes2 · 5%
Hydraulic1 · 2%
Power train1 · 2%
Electrical system1 · 2%
When complaints were filed
202422
202510
20268
From owner complaints
Low beam headlight internal reflectors have degraded and light have become very dim. Dangerous to drive at night or in bad weather. aThe car cannot be operated at night. Dealer replacement is $3,000, making the car value negative. The car otherwise is drivable but this defect makes the car unsuitable for use.
In the headlight assembly the main headlight bowls are deteriorated/defective. The amount of light that the regular low beams or high beams provide at night is insufficient. This makes driving at night with the factory assembly lights highly dangerous.
Vehicle headlights on my 2013 Acura RDX Base Model have become progressively dimmer over time to the point that the vehicle is becoming unsafe/undriveable at night and in poor weather. Contacted my local dealer. They acknowledged that this was a known issue. Said the only remedy was to replace the entire headlight…
The low beam headlights lights on my 2013 Acura RDX are very dim, and replacing the bulbs does not make any difference. I have read multiple reports that this is a common problem where the reflective material inside the projector style housing breaks down over time, and that the only fix is to replace the entire…
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.