Acura · RDX · 2021
2021 Acura RDX
2
Recalls
99
Complaints
5/5
NCAP overall
The 2021 Acura RDX has 2 recalls and 99 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. One stored NHTSA configuration has an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, not a rating for all versions. Most frequent stored component label: unknown or other (20 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2021 Acura RDX SUV AWD NCAP Vehicle ID: 15142
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
- Complaints
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Recalls
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Safety ratings
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Investigations
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Manufacturer communications
- Separate successful check not recorded.
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Apr 28, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
Research Context
The 2021 Acura RDX page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is unknown or other with 20 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Acura RDX currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 99 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA rating for one stored configuration, not all versions.
- The most frequent complete stored component labels on this page are unknown or other (20), visibility/wiper (8), service brakes (8).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Acura RDX
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 99
- Stored Configuration Overall Rating
- 5/5. Stored NHTSA configuration: 2021 Acura RDX SUV AWD. NCAP Vehicle ID: 15142.
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Configuration Test Results
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2021 Acura RDX SUV AWD NCAP Vehicle ID: 15142
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: Standard
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 24V064000February 01, 2024
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
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.
Remedy Status
Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. 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.
NHTSA ID: 21V939000December 02, 2021
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
99 totalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 20, 2026
On March 20th, my husband and I went out to dinner with three friends. We arrived around 6:50 PM and left our car with the valet. When we returned later that evening to pick up the vehicle, a valet employee approached us and asked us to walk with him to the car. The police were ...
Preview excerpt
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Feb 24, 2026
Got in my vehicle as usual, started the vehicle shortly after I heard cracking thought nothing of it and all of a sudden the rear tailgate window shattered completely.
VISIBILITY
Feb 10, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Acura RDX. While driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal gunshot sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact inspected the exterior of the vehicle but found no failure. The contact stated that the foll...
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STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 9, 2026
- Rear window shattered without impact or any signs of stress. - Safety at risk if driving and breakage occurs. In this case I was away from the parked vehicle when the shattering occurred. - There are quite a few reports of this issue online in Facebook Acura owner groups and ...
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STRUCTURE
Jan 23, 2026
Sudden breaking of panoramic glass on sun/moon roof. I believe this is related to the clicking noise that is caused by the improper bolting in this model. There is an active service bulletin for the improper bolting/flexing in the panoramic glass. I called the Acura dealership wh...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 14, 2026
Warmed car before driving, once I got in car and shut drivers side, Rear window shattered. Common issue with other owners of same car. Reached out to Acura dealerships and they claim it’s not an issue that is happening and will not replace it.
VISIBILITY
Dec 23, 2025
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 o...
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SERVICE BRAKES
Dec 16, 2025
After dealer (worldwide motors Ltd also call (Paragon Acura) 33-40 57th street, Woodside, NY 11377)replaced front and rear brake pads and rotors, my vehicle experienced unintended acceleration while stopped. While idling at a red light with my foot firmly on the brake pedal, the ...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 13, 2025
Back windshield glass exploded with no impact. Car was not moving. There is shattered glass everywhere and the car cannot be driven until it is repaired. This appears to be a well known issue but there is no official recall at this time. My Acura dealer said this was covered in w...
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STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Dec 7, 2025
1:Sunroof frame shifts creating a popping noise during certain driving conditions. Turning and going up a drive way. 2:Distracting for the driver and passengers stay concerned the whole time. 3:There is a service bulletin with Acura 23-004 but no recall to the matter. 4: Unknown...
Preview excerpt
Showing 10 recent complaints from 99 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Acura models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Acura RDX Years
2022 Acura RDXCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r29c2020 Acura RDXCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.4r329c2023 Acura RDXCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r16c2019 Acura RDXCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.4r421c2024 Acura RDXCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r10c2018 Acura RDXCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r71c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Acura RDX have?
The 2021 Acura RDX has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Acura RDX?
NHTSA has received 99 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Acura RDX.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Acura RDX?
Our stored NHTSA record for the 2021 Acura RDX has an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. Stored NHTSA configuration: 2021 Acura RDX SUV AWD. NCAP Vehicle ID: 15142. Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Acura RDX?
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2021 Acura RDX are unknown or other (20 reports), visibility/wiper (8 reports), service brakes (8 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Does the 2021 Acura RDX have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2021 Acura RDX. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.