VehicleVerdict

2009 Acura RDX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 16 complaints on file for the 2009 Acura RDX — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

16

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other RDX years?

RDX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted559 complaints2007: 70 complaints2008: 39 complaints2009: 16 complaints2010: 26 complaints2011: 21 complaints2012: 19 complaints2013: 179 complaints2014: 258 complaints2015: 436 complaints2016: 56 complaints2017: 107 complaints2018: 101 complaints2019: 559 complaints2020: 425 complaints2021: 148 complaints2022: 41 complaints2023: 24 complaints2024: 13 complaints2025: 67 complaints
RDX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all RDX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Acura RDX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags1063%
Brakes213%
Speed Control16%
Tires & Wheels16%
Transmission16%
Visibility & Wipers16%

Does the 2009 Acura RDX have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V182000AirbagsMarch 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

16V061000AirbagsFebruary 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I was involved in an accident and upon impact the airbags didn’t deploy although there was a chemical smell that occurred and the check airbag light comes on intermittently. Also driver seatbelt locked up and does not retract out.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 22, 2025 · crash

“AN ERROR MESSAGE ALWAYS COMES ON FOR "THE BRAKE SYSTEM" & "TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS". THEY BECOME PROBLEMATIC WHEN THE TEMP OUTSIDE DROPS TO 20 AND BELOW. LIVING IN CONNECTICUT DURING THE WINTER TIME A LOT OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR ACURA RDX'S AND MDX'S. AS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 28, 2017

“AN ERROR MESSAGE ALWAYS COMES ON FOR "THE BRAKE SYSTEM" & "TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS". THEY BECOME PROBLEMATIC WHEN THE TEMP OUTSIDE DROPS TO 20 AND BELOW. LIVING IN CONNECTICUT DURING THE WINTER TIME A LOT OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR ACURA RDX'S AND MDX'S. AS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · December 28, 2017

“VEHICLE FAILS TO SHIFT AND HITS REV LIMITER STOPING ALL FORWARD MOMENTUM. MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE IS MARKETED AS AN AUTOMATIC, BUT WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN "S", YOU HAVE TO USE THE SHIFTERS TO SHIFT, HOWEVER IF YOU ARE IN EVEN A SLIGHT TURN, YOU CANNOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 19, 2009

“A DRIVER AND ONE PASSENGER WERE TRAVELING DOWN AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 70 MPH. ALL WINDOWS WERE CLOSED, THE SUNROOF AND SUNROOF SHADE WERE CLOSED. APPROX. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS 45 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, A SUNNY BUT COLD DAY, AND THE INSIDE VEHICLE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROX. 70 DEGREES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 26, 2012

2009 Acura RDX — common questions

Is the 2009 Acura RDX reliable?

The record is thin — 16 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2009 RDX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (10 complaints), brakes (2 complaints), visibility & wipers (1 complaints).

Does the 2009 Acura RDX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Acura RDX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Acura RDX years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the RDX years to avoid are 2019, 2015, 2020, 2014, 2013, 2021, 2017, 2018, 2016. The cleanest record among RDX years belongs to 2024.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.