VehicleVerdict

2012 Acura RDX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 19 complaints on file for the 2012 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.

19

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other RDX years?

RDX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 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, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all RDX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Acura RDX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags632%
Electrical System211%
Engine211%
Other211%
Transmission211%
Steering211%
Lighting15%
Body & Structure15%
Speed Control15%

Does the 2012 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.

“TAKATA RECALL. THE DRIVER AIR BAG WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED. WHEN I QUESTIONED WHY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT BEING REPLACED ALSO. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NOT BEING RECALLED. I ASKED IF IT WAS A TAKATA AIR BAG. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT ANSWER. ONLY SAYING IT WAS NOT BEING RECALLED. MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 15, 2016

“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Acura RDX. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 148,000. However, following an oil change service, it was later discovered that the actual…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 3, 2025

“I NOTICED VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AS IF I HAD FLAT TIRES, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS ACCELERATING. AFTER A WEEK I HAD MY SUV CHECKED AT THE GARAGE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT AND LEFT LINE AXLE ASSEMBLIES WHICH WAS QUITE EXPENSIVE. THE MECHANICS TOLD ME THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY FINISHED AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 20, 2017

“VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK AND CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR OTHERS AND THE PERSON DRIVING THE CAR. ONCE THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN THE CAR WILL NEED TO BE PUT IN PARK, TURNED OFF AND COMPLETELY RESTARTED AGAIN. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED TO MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 16, 2018

“MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 50K MILES. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I NOTICED A SOUND WHEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I EXITED THE ROAD THE WHEEL WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE SOUND INCREASED. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE AND I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A COSTLY REPLACEMENT OF TH RACK-N-PINION.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 5, 2016

2012 Acura RDX — common questions

Is the 2012 Acura RDX reliable?

The record is thin — 19 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 2012 RDX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (6 complaints), steering (2 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2012 Acura RDX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 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.