NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Acura RDX. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
While overall pleased with vehicle, the low beams simply seem not visible enough to light the road properly. I believe this is a safety hazard and hearing how many other owners of the same make and model report this I believe the government to investigate this problem. Thank you.
The sunroof spontaneously shattered while driving the car. No other vehicles were around and no debris caused the sunroof to shatter. Glass blew in to oncoming traffic and into the car while it was being operated, which posed a risk to myself and other drivers. Upon further investigation, this is a know issue by Honda/Acura and a class action lawsuit has been file, yet the company is unwilling to make repairs to effected cars. There were no warnings etc prior to the sunroof shattering. The car was taken directly to the dealership for repairs and photos are available.
My 21 year old daughter is driving a 2015 RDX we just purchased a few months ago. The headlights are terrible! They are so dim and it’s extremely dangerous. Acura should have a recall on this
The low beams on my 2015 Acura RDX are very dim and have gotten progressively worse over the last two years. Visibility at night is extremely poor and dangerous. I do not drive much at night, except locally. I did not think there was an issue with my car since the LED lights on newer cars are so very bright in comparison. I realized it was major issue very recently (August 2024) when I could not see more than one car length in front of me on a major highway with construction zones. I could not tell if my low beams were on or not. My high beams functioned properly and that was the safest way for me to continue driving. There have been no previous warning messages. On June 19, 2024, I had other repair work performed at an Acura dealership and received a multi-point inspection report of which I received a green light status for my headlights. I am currently at over 103,000 miles. I estimate the issue began at around 90,000 miles. I have not reported this to the Acura dealer. However, my local mechanic confirmed the issue exists. After some investigation, I found that this is a common problem with this model car and year. The quoted cost to repair this issue from two different Acura dealerships is quite expensive, ranging from $2300 to $2500, to replace both headlight assemblies. This should not be my issue to pay for; it should be a recall at Acura's expense.
Low beam headlights have become so dim that they are unsafe at night and provide insufficient lighting. Bulbs have been replaced but am now told by the dealership this is a potential defect with this model where the reflective housing deteriorates and requires a full replacement of the headlight assembly.
Drove vehicle home during daylight. At nite the low-beam lights are useless high-beam needed to be able to see. Carfax was unaware of a "safety recall" for this problem. I found numerous complaints about this on the web. There needs to be a "recall" to get this corrected. Should be addressed by mfg and not consumer.
The dim lights prevent clear visibility when driving. I inquired with my local Acura dealership about a solution. I was told that dim headlights on this model are a known issue. They stated that it relates back to the reflectivity inside the the light assembly and the only solution would be to replace the entire assembly on both sides. The only effective remedy I have found to see at night is to keep the bright lights on, which is a safety issue for other drivers. Replacement bulbs will not correct the visibility due to the issue with the reflectivity. This has caused multiple safety concerns at night, nearly causing multiple accidents due to not being able to see clearly.
My regular headlights are so dim. When driving at night I have to use my high beams or I cannot see the road. Acura has admitted that there is a problem for the 2015 RDX but has not issued a recall. The original halogen headlight bulbs have damaged the reflective casing that the bulb reflects from. I have tried to improve the beam by replacing the bulbs but nothing works. It is a HUGE safety concern and a flaw in the Acura 2015 RDX headlight assemblies over time.
The headlights on this vehicle are completely inadequate for driving at night. I believe this is a manufacturing defect, as the only solution is to replace the entire headlamp assemblies. The vehicle is equipped with HID headlamps. The bulbs work, but no light is projected from the lamps.
I have been noticing over the past few months that my visibility is diminished at night and have to turn my bright lights on even when there are overhead lights. While stopped at light, I noticed the headlights of the car next to me projected out substantially farther than mine. Yesterday I took my car to the dealer to presumably replace the headlight bulbs. But I learned that the bulbs are fine, and the wiring is fine. The problem is that the lens covering the light bulbs has darkened so badly that very little light can escape to project out onto the street in front of me. I was told that the whole lens assembly is a sealed unit and must be replaced on the right and left side. They showed me the darkened lens cover that blocks the light. I regard this as a safety hazard. I could miss a kid riding a bicycle at night. I was not aware that this is a common problem with 2015 Acura RDXs. This is absolutely dangerous to me, my passengers and the public. I have an estimate from the dealer of $2,537.85 to replace the headlight assemblies. I feel this is a significant safety issue.
Headlights are extremely dim and concerning to drive at night. I have seen several reports about this being an issue on RDX models (2015) but no recall. I am requesting Acura to recall this defect, or at least consider reimbursing me for the repair, which has been quoted at $1800. Please advise. Thank you, [XXX] [XXX]
Headlight low beams have gradually became so dim that the car is unsafe to drive at night or in adverse weather conditions. The bulbs were replaced at an Honda dealership despite the dealership technicians stating there was nothing wrong with the existing bulbs' lumination. The new bulbs did not improve visibility and the headlights are getting worse. The last time the car was driven at night, the lights were so dim that I had to use the light from passing cars on the highway to make it home. This is extremely dangerous for the driver and passengers and other people on the road. It seems the headlight housings will need to be fully replaced to make the car drivable.
Headlights a very dim when on. This was not an issue at first but has become noticeable as I’ve driven it more. It is almost impossible to drive at night on a non-city road unless it is empty enough that I can use my brights instead. Very dangerous. If you look online, many people have had this same issue and it’s a known problem with this car. Acura should replace these headlights for these cars
This vehicle was purchased used on 5-25-24 from Carvana. The vehicle was delivered during the daytime. The vehicle was also inspected by the dealer prior to purchase. After purchase the vehicle was driven at night. However, after driving in the dark, at night, it was also discovered that the headlights did not provide adequate light to see whether on the highway or side streets. On dimly lit roads it appeared as if the headlights weren't even turned on. Upon further research, we learned that there is a problem with Acura RDX 2015 models in which the headlamps become dimmer over time due to the reflector malfunction and eventually emit no light and as a result cannot be driven at night. Since this is a 9 year old car, the headlamps are very dim because the reflector is failing and will either need to be replaced due to the defect or the car cannot be driven at night unless the high beams are used, which is also unsafe to other drivers. The bottom line is that driving the car at night with very dim headlights is a serious safety issue that must be addressed by Acura to ensure no one gets in an accident or is injured as the result of not being able to see properly while driving at night. 2015 Acura RDX Headlights have dramatically dimmed over time, to the point of jeopardizing safety of self, passengers and others: it's not discernible they're on unless there's no external lighting/street lamps. Problem potentially confirmed via excess reporting online for a range of RDX years inclusive of 2015. Also seeing a relevant, potentially related headlight recall from late 2014. After further research into this issue I learned that the low-beam reflector itself oxidizes, is not reflective at all, and no amount of brighter bulbs or clean outside lenses will help with a reflector that doesn’t reflect. This has be corrected immediately!
Headlights are incredibly dim and unsafe. I’ve now almost been in two accidents at night. My passengers always comment turn on your lights and I have to say they are already on.
Headlights are very dim. Seems like a well known problem, with recalls to other models. Very expensive to fix correctly.
The low beam headlights are so dim and weak it is unsafe to drive. I have read where Acura rdx years 2012-2015 have a lot of reports of this problem. I understand Honda has recalled another style of Acura in same time years but not acknowledged this. I have used brand name headlight restoration kit and paid to replace the headlight bulbs(low beam) but there is no improvment This is very unsafe and Honda needs to replace/repair the headlights.
The contact's owns a 2015 Acura RDX. The contact stated that the front headlights had become dim, which made it difficult and unsafe to operate the vehicle while driving at night. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V792000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
RECALL ON MANY 201-2015 RDX BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS BECAME DANGEROUSLY DIM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SAME THING HAPPENED TO MINE, HAD IT CHECKED BY THE DEALER TODAY WHO CONFIRMED. HOWEVER, THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON MINE BUT I ASSUME MANY OTHERS ARE AFFECTED.
Low beams do not work, they are deficient, cannot see in the dark, dangerous
The contact owns a 2015 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed during the evening hours, the contact noticed that the front headlights were not functioning properly. The contact replaced the headlight bulbs, but the failure occurred. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage is unknown.
2015 Acura RDX Headlights have dramatically dimmed over time, to the point of jeopardizing safety of self, passengers and others: it's not discernible they're on unless there's no external lighting/street lamps. Problem potentially confirmed via excess reporting online for a range of RDX years inclusive of 2015. Also seeing a relevant, potentially related headlight recall from late 2014.
My 2015 RDX lowbeam headlight getting dimmer gradually. It is too dim to the level of undrivable at night. I replaced the light bulb, but it doesn't help. It almost cause a collison that the opponent car from side of road can not see the light.
The headlights have become exceptionally dim in my 2015 RDX and they no longer illuminate the roadway at night time. The condition is even worse and more dangerous when the roadway is wet and/or there is an oncoming car. Note: the bulbs work and replacing them with new bulbs make NO difference in the light being projected from the assemblies. There is something wrong with the headlight assemblies themselves. This is very unsafe. I see recalls for other Acura models / years with similarly designed headlights.
The headlights in this model of the RDX are extremely dim making driving at night impossible. The headlights do not illuminate the roadway in front of the vehicle. I had 1% lux reading as measured by an automotive illumination engineer. After further research into this issue I learned that the low-beam reflector itself oxidizes, is not reflective at all, and no amount of brighter bulbs or clean outside lenses will help with a reflector that doesn’t reflect. This has been an ongoing problem for the 2013-2015 Acura RDX models. Acura did a recall on the RLX of the same years for the exact issue and the manufacturer of the headlights for the RLX subsequently manufactured the same headlights for the RDX. Phone calls to Acura from many RDX owners have proved unsuccessful with Acura stating they would only issue a recall if they were forced to do so by NHTSA.
My 2015 Acura RDX has shockingly dim headlights on low beam. The bulbs were replaced within the past year, but the light output is still dangerously bad. Very unsafe to drive at night or in inclement weather. My dealer has confirmed this is a known issue, yet there has been no recall. There has been a recall of the same model year for a different Acura model, the RLX sedan, for headlight issues. Why is the RDX not included?
The reflective material inside the headlight fixtures in this vehicle have degraded so severely the low beams don't illuminate the road well enough to drive it at night. This is a manufacturer defect that has been confirmed by the Acura dealership we took it to for repair. They told us the cost to replace both fixtures is ~$2,500, which we could not afford. This is a huge safety issue, one that prevents us from driving it at night unless absolutely necessary, in which case we have to use the high beams. The 2014 Acura RDX was recalled for this defect and I frankly don't understand why the 2015s haven't -- it's exactly the same issue. We contacted our auto insurance company about submitting a claim, but they do not cover manufacturer defects. Reaching out to the NHTSA for any assistance or advice you can provide.
I just got this 2015Acura RDX And went to drive it at night the lights are absolutely horrendous. I actually almost got into a couple of accident, I also couldn't see the island in the middle of the road or the sidewalks. Trying to turn right Into a driveway I went over a curve because I couldn't even see where I was going, because of these lights. If I would have known this was a problem, I would have not purchased an Acura. This should be Addressed and definitely fixed by the company. Also, I was not Advised of this problem from the dealer That is uncalled for. So, now I am afraid to drive at night. What does this mean? I can't drive at night?
Over time, the halogen headlights have dimmed to the point where night-time driving and driving in rain/fog/snow are unsafe. This is not due to the halogen bulb itself, nor clarity of the lens housing, but rather the reflector. This appears to be a very common problem, confirmed by many other RDX owners. NHTSA should issue a recall for this part as they have done for similar issues facing the 2014-15 Acura RLX.
I only feel that it is right I complain about the Acura Rdx headlights I really fear I will only end up hurting my self and/or others. The low beam headlight are dangerous at night I barely see the headlight on and when it’s snowing and the night time with no street lights I’m scared for my life. I can only drive my Acura rdx during the daytime. Please investigate this problem. Thank you
I drove my wife’s car (this Acura RDX) the other night and was surprised how poorly I could see with the dim lights. When I was approaching on coming traffic on a rural two line road in the rain and at night, I could not see the center or edge of road line at all. Basically had to look for the elevation or texture difference of the road and grass on the side of the road. It was a very unsafe and scary situation. With passing of on-coming traffic, the return to the bright lights was like night and day. Even with no on-coming traffic, the lighting with dim lights was too dim to drive with. I am so thankful my wife have not been in an accident, but so frustrated that she has been put in that situation without any warning or notification from the manufacture or other. Apparently from what I have read on the web, this situation is well know, but unaddressed. Shame on the industry.
The headlights are very dim. Provides limited viewing at night. I see this is a well known issue with similar models, but not this one. I did call for repair and it is extremely expensive for what I feel should be a safety recall. This unfortunately will impact but future decisions and thoughts about the Acura. I love everything else about my experience with this car, but this major safety issue not being recalled is of great concern. Is there anything I can do about getting this covered? Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Air bag sensors turning on and off. Malfunction.
Vehicle has 80k miles. Low beam headlights are VERY dim, making it dangerous to drive at night. I haven't taken it anywhere to be inspected. Based on some searches on the Internet this is a very common issue for RDX Base models from years 2013 - 2015.
Dim headlights due to projector housing malfunctions. Original headlights have burned reflective coating. Vision at night is non existent and driving safely at night is not possible. This seems to be a common problem Acura refuses to acknowledge. The vehicle supposedly was checked by caravan before I purchased it. Led headlights have not helped.
Low beam headlights are extremely dim and dangerous. Cannot see the lines on the road at night especially if it’s raining there seems to be a common complaint based on an Internet search.
The headlights are so dim that we can no longer drive it safely at night. The only apparent fix is to replace the entire headlight assemblies for about$2000.
Low beams are so dim that you cannot tell if the vehicle has its lights on at all. This forces me to use my high beams when driving at night blinding other drivers. Acura has stated that the whole headlight assembly must be replaced. There are no warnings or light bulbs out on the vehicle.
The headlights of my 2015 Acura RDX have degraded to the point where driving at night is near impossible, but definitely dangerous. The bulbs are relatively new, but the light output only extends a few feet in front of the car. This deterioration has been identified by the dealer as a known issue, but is requiring a substantial replacement cost. The issue is not due to driver negligence. One can find many similar instances of this issue when searching the internet. There are no indicators, warning messages, etc., as the lights are still functional.
Low beam headlights on my 2015 Acura RDX are extremely dim, despite the bulbs being replaced within the past few years. It is absolutely dangerous to be driving at night with the low beams on; I'm fearful that others may not see me coming or I may not see obstacles ahead, potentially leading to major injury or death to me and others. It is ridiculous that they hasn't been a recall yet for these.
My 2015 Acura RDX headlights are so dim that I can barely see the road ahead of me. Also, when using the low beams only, cars are flashing at me thinking I don't have my headlights on. I always use the "auto" setting on the headlight control pendant. Then I'm forced to drive with my brights on which causes other cars to flash their brights at me and may be presenting a safety issue for them to see with my brights glaring. I called the dealer and they quoted >$2000 to replace them. I understand there was a recall for faulty headlight reflective film for select vehicles made in 2014-2015 but for some reason my VIN does not qualify for the recall. I believe they were mistaken when they indicated they resolved the problem as my vehicle has the same problem the recall intended to resolve.
Low beam headlamps are very dim and unsafe to drive with at night. Changing bulbs does not help as the interior of the unit is defective. This is very unsafe to drive at night.
The headlight reflector has become so foggy that it does not illuminate anything further than 5 feet in front of it. The light does not spill onto the road. This has caused other drivers to be unaware of my presence at night, and lead to one turning into my lane and running me off of the road, popping my tires and ruining my car’s alignment.
The low beam headlight of my 2015 Acura RDX FWD became so dim and made driving at night impossible, unless putting the high beam on. I went to the local ACURA dealership and replaced the lightbulbs but it made not difference at all. I saw many same complaints on-line for ACURA RDX manufactured between 2013-2015, this is a serious safety issue and Honda needs to do something to fix this issue before people get hurt.
Re: Safety Concerns with 2015 Acura RDX Engine. My vehicle has experienced multiple serious engine failures beginning December 8, 2023, when it suddenly lost power while driving with a flashing check engine light. Despite multiple repair attempts by McDaniel's Acura dealership (timing belt replacement, spark plugs, front cylinder head replacement, pulley replacements), the issues have persisted and worsened. Technicians found oil in cylinders 1&3, metal debris in the oil filter, and diagnosed the engine as failing in May 2024. Current symptoms include white smoke from the tailpipe, engine rattling, and ongoing risk of sudden failure. This vehicle was leased new in 2015, purchased after lease term, and consistently maintained at Acura dealerships. Despite opening two cases with Acura Client Relations (#14622769 on April 29 and #14633862 on May 6, 2024), Honda Financial declined assistance. The dealership only offered a trade-in "incentive" while admitting they couldn't resell my vehicle due to its condition, and would instead auction in off. I'm unable to safely use this as my primary transportation. Similar engines have had multiple recalls between 2018-2023, including a December 2023 recall of 2.6 million vehicles for fuel pump issues and recalls for connecting rod bearings in similar engines. In November 2024, NHTSA began investigating 1.4 million Honda/Acura V6 engines for rod bearing failures. I request NHTSA investigate whether this represents a broader safety defect affecting other Acura RDX vehicles. Service records from December 2023-May 2024 are attached as documentation of all repair attempts and diagnoses by authorized Acura technicians.
Low beam reflector has failed and the low beams do do not provide safe/adequate lighting making it nearly impossible to see while driving at night creating danger for the driver as well as others on the road. This seems to be a known issue that Acura will not address
The headlights on this vehicle have deteriorated over time to the point where it is 100% a safety issue. I have had all of the bulbs replaced, but it is not the bulbs and this is a known issue with this model of vehicle. I am baffled that there hasn't been a recall for this vehicle for this KNOWN issue. It would be pretty easy to look across multiple forums and find numerous people with the same issue. The biggest challenge with this issue is that it doesn't occur all at once. It's kind of a slow burn over time, which makes it somewhat difficult to notice. There have been a number of times where there is something in the road and I've had to swerve at the last second to avoid it because the headlights were not projecting as they should.
Not related to any specific event, but the headlight housing on my Acura RDX has degraded such that the lights are nearly too dim to be usable at night. The dealer has advised me of a $3k cost to fix, but this is apparently a known, recurring issue related to this model, and perhaps other Acura models. Apparently, the reflective housing degrades around the headlight.
The headlights on my 2015 Acura RDX have degraded so much that it is difficult to get proper visibility at night, and therefore, dangerous to drive at dark. The safety of myself and my passengers, as well as other drivers on the road, is at risk. New bulbs were installed within the last year, so it certainly isn't a bulb issue. The dealer has confirmed the issue of the housing/reflection degrading, but there is no safety recall for this issue.
This vehicle was purchased used on [XXX]. The vehicle was test driven during the day time. The vehicle was also inspected by the dealer prior to purchase and a state inspection sticker was issued. After purchase the vehicle was driven at night, in the dark, upon which it was discovered a headlight was out. It was subsequently replaced by the dealer. However, after continued driving in the dark, at night, it was also discovered that the headlights did not provide adequate light to see whether on the highway or side streets. On dimly lit roads it appeared as if the headlights weren't even turned on. Upon further research, we learned that there is a problem with Acura RDX 2015 models in which the headlamps become dimmer over time due to the reflector malfunction and eventually emit no light and as a result cannot be driven at night. Since this is a 9 year old car, the headlamps are very dim because the reflector is failing and will either need to be replaced due to the defect or the car cannot be driven at night unless the high beams are used, which is also unsafe to other drivers. The bottom line is that driving the car at night with very dim headlights is a serious safety issue that must be addressed by Acura to ensure no one gets in an accident or is injured as the result of not being able to see properly while driving at night. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)