VehicleVerdict

2018 Acura RDX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 101 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median RDX year — the 2018 model ranks #8 of 19 RDX years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 33 reports (33% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

101

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other RDX years?

RDX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 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, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all RDX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Acura RDX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System3333%
Transmission1212%
Engine1010%
Electrical System99%
Other77%
Speed Control77%
Driver Assistance66%
Brakes44%
Body & Structure33%
Seats22%
Lighting22%
Steering22%
Airbags22%
Suspension11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2018 Acura RDX have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V858000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2023 · 2,490,460 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Consequence

Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The car hesitates to start and while driving jerks at around 20mph. This happened a few times in the last year. When taken to dealer, because they could not reproduce incident, said it can’t be diagnosed. I told them it jerks when accelerating at around 20mph and keeps doing it every time I have…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 12, 2024

“THIS IS RELATED TO COMPLAINT #11143782. TWO MONTHS AFTER MY GAS TANK WAS REPLACED DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTION BETWEEN IT AND THE FILLER PIPE, THE BOLTS HOLDING THE REAR PROPELLOR SHAFT CAME LOOSE AS I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY CITY STREET, MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. AT THAT TIME, MY CAR HAD 3761 MILES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 17, 2018

“I am unable to find a dealership that will perform the repair, please help. They all say they are short or parts and are only fixing vehicles experiencing issues. I lose power when accelerating all the time but this apparently is not enough.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 5, 2024

“The car hesitates to start and while driving jerks at around 20mph. This happened a few times in the last year. When taken to dealer, because they could not reproduce incident, said it can’t be diagnosed. I told them it jerks when accelerating at around 20mph and keeps doing it every time I have…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 12, 2024

“A WESTBOUND DISTRACTED DRIVER SWERVED INTO MY LANE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND MY AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM SLOWED ME TO THE POINT THAT I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE ONCOMING VEHICLE CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER FOLLOWING IMPACT (SEE ATTACHED HSMV CRASH REPORT NUMBER 87263383).”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 22, 2019 · crash

2018 Acura RDX — common questions

Is the 2018 Acura RDX reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 101 complaints put the 2018 model at #8 of 19 RDX years. It is one of the RDX years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 RDX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (33 complaints), transmission (12 complaints), engine (10 complaints).

Does the 2018 Acura RDX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2018 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.

How safe is the 2018 Acura RDX?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Acura RDX earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.