Acura RDX Acura RDX

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Expensive Acura RDX repairs by problem area

Engine (42%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (9%)

Brakes and Traction Control (9%)

Suspension and Steering (15%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (18%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)

Other (0%)

Chart based on 33 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Acura RDX.

Acura RDX repair cost distribution

$2500+ (26%)

$1000 - $2499 (74%)

$500 - $999 (0%)

$100 - $499 (0%)

< $100 (0%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 19 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2017 Acura RDX 4dr SUV

279-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

67000 mi

US $1500
Replacement of worn brakes 

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2016 Acura RDX 4dr SUV

279-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

68000 mi

US $800
Heard rattle coming from rear that got worse over time. Most noticeable when going over bumps. Found defective rear right shock. Replaced both shocks. 
82000 mi

US $1800
Timing Belt tensioner leaking. Replaced tensioner, timing belt, water pump, drive belt and all associated fluids. 

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2014 Acura RDX 4dr SUV

273-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

114000 mi

US $1000
Broken sway bar passenger rear. Replaced both sways and struts. 

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2013 Acura RDX 4dr SUV

273-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

69000 mi

US $1150
Just purchased the car and had the timing belt replaced because it was older than 7 years. The timing belts on these cars are not very wide and are prone to premature breakage. I plan to replace it every 70k or 7 years from now on so I do not have to encounter a broken timing belt, which is no fun. Had the water pump and engine seals replaced at he same time. 
74000 mi

US $100
Drivers side visor broke. Bought a new one and replaced. 

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2013 Acura RDX 4dr SUV

273-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

57040 mi

C $1100
Timing chain Timing chain and ancillary 
58280 mi

C $1100
timing chain 
63240 mi

C $1400
Replaced clunking rear shocks again. I am now on my 5th set. 
66960 mi

C $1000
Replaced front end pieces (not struts) tie rod ends etc. Plus wheel alignment. Trying to fix clunking noises. Didn't really fix it though. Have figured since that it is a combination of cold temperatures and packed snow that causes clunk. 

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2011 Acura RDX 4dr SUV

turbocharged 240hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

97000 mi

US $323
Power steering pump, hydraulics leaking Camshaft seal leaking 
99852 mi

US $2700
Brake pedal going to floor. Replaced failed master cylinder, fluid Positive battery cable failed, replaced Warning light Failed Transmission 2nd pressure switch, replaced Leaking high pressure power steering hose leaking 
83000 mi

US $810
Compressor replacement 
115000 mi

US $1400
Air conditioning compressor failed and needed replacement 
71000 mi

US $1300
Replace AC compressor 

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2010 Acura RDX 4dr SUV

turbocharged 240hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

96720 mi

C $400
Replaced discs and pads, new rubber boots for pins, cleaned the pins (1 rear pin was jammed due to torn rubber boot). 
109120 mi

C $1000
AC compressor randomly stopped working so had it replaced. 
117800 mi

C $153
4 year old battery started to crank slow. Replaced with new one to make sure it would still start in cold weather. 

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2009 Acura RDX 4dr SUV

turbocharged 240hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

80000 mi

US $9000
So after having this car for almost a year and driving it a little under 20,000 miles since purchasing this car used from a Honda dealership here in Raleigh NC (Leith Honda) I experienced the AWD system shutting off and the check engine light coming on upon accelerating. It would still drive in front wheel (2 wheel drive mode). I didn’t think much of it after all the lights in the dash went away after turning off the car then starting it back up. It got progressively more frequent and eventually stayed on all the time. I took it invto the dealership (at under 80,000 miles) and was told that “the turbocharger has gone bad and I needed to replace it”. I asked if they could repair the turbo without replacing it, and I was told it would end up being just as expensive, and that it would not guarantee to fix the problem. So I went to get a second (mom & pop shop) and third (another dealership) opinion before coming to the conclusion that this turbo was going to need to be replaced. I Kelly blue booked the vehicle to find it was worth $9,000 at best. The last place I took it to (Performance Acura in Durham NC) said I would need a new steering column bearings or something like that, which would have put me over the $9,000 that the car was worth. So I decided that it was no longer worth keeping a HONDA vehicle that was just shy of 80,000 miles and had driven it almost 1 full year. I was furious.... So I traded it in for an American Diesel truck. Lesson learned: don’t buy a Honda with a turbo in it. It will be a disappointment! So after having this car for almost a year and driving it a little under 20,000 miles since purchasing this car used from a Honda dealership here in Raleigh NC (Leith Honda) I experienced the AWD system shutting off and the check engine light coming on upon accelerating. It would still drive in front wheel (2 wheel drive mode). I didn’t think much of it after all the lights in the dash went away after turning off the car then starting it back up. It got progressively more frequent and eventually stayed on all the time. I took it invto the dealership (at under 80,000 miles) and was told that “the turbocharger has gone bad and I needed to replace it”. I asked if they could repair the turbo without replacing it, and I was told it would end up being just as expensive, and that it would not guarantee to fix the problem. So I went to get a second (mom & pop shop) and third (another dealership) opinion before coming to the conclusion that this turbo was going to need to be replaced. I Kelly blue booked the vehicle to find it was worth $9,000 at best. The last place I took it to (Performance Acura in Durham NC) said I would need a new steering column bearings or something like that, which would have put me over the $9,000 that the car was worth. So I decided that it was no longer worth keeping a HONDA vehicle that was just shy of 80,000 miles and had driven it almost 1 full year. I was furious.... So I traded it in for an American Diesel truck. Lesson learned: don’t buy a Honda with a turbo in it. It will be a disappointment! So after having this car for almost a year and driving it a little under 20,000 miles since purchasing this car used from a Honda dealership here in Raleigh NC (Leith Honda) I experienced the AWD system shutting off and the check engine light coming on upon accelerating. It would still drive in front wheel (2 wheel drive mode). I didn’t think much of it after all the lights in the dash went away after turning off the car then starting it back up. It got progressively more frequent and eventually stayed on all the time. I took it invto the dealership (at under 80,000 miles) and was told that “the turbocharger has gone bad and I needed to replace it”. I asked if they could repair the turbo without replacing it, and I was told it would end up being just as expensive, and that it would not guarantee to fix the problem. So I went to get a second (mom & pop shop) and third (another dealership) opinion before coming to the conclusion that this turbo was going to need to be replaced. I Kelly blue booked the vehicle to find it was worth $9,000 at best. The last place I took it to (Performance Acura in Durham NC) said I would need a new steering column bearings or something like that, which would have put me over the $9,000 that the car was worth. So I decided that it was no longer worth keeping a HONDA vehicle that was just shy of 80,000 miles and had driven it almost 1 full year. I was furious.... So I traded it in for an American Diesel truck. Lesson learned: don’t buy a Honda with a turbo in it. It will be a disappointment! 
95000 mi

US $5000
Turbo is blown - very expensive to replace. Trade car in. Long ordeal. 

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2008 Acura RDX 4dr SUV

turbocharged 240hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

75000 mi

US $720
That vibration problem came from the front drive axles, extended warranty covered it. At 73k I had to get new tires and rear shocks. 
80000 mi

US $4000
Turbo went out at 80,000 took a long time to diagnose Turbo went out at 80,000 took a long time to diagnose 
90000 mi

US $100
Subwoofer blown, cost 450 but under extended warranty so only 100 
100000 mi

US $100
Links were out, extended warranty covered TPMS Rear sensors went bad Vaccum hose bad 
52700 mi

C $150
Unable to use bluetooth. Dealer diagnostic indicated that system needed to be replaced (integral radio system with Navi). Repair estimated at $700. Acura and dealer covered cost of repair except for diagnostic time $150 noted above. 
95360 mi

C $155
Clutch and coil replacement. Issue common on CRVs and 2007-2012 RDX. All costs except diagnostic covered by Acura through extended warranty. 
115940 mi

C $25000
Not cooling properly 
78000 mi

US $1100
Transmission oil cooler located in the radiator leaked, transmission fluid entered cooling system, turning into a mayonnaise like substance. Replaced radiator, flushed all fluids, will require further flushes over next 12 months. 
17000 mi

US $150
B1 service, and misc. rattles/thump from steering when cold 
38000 mi

US $120
Navigation system rebooting. Also, would not route to destination outside of the tri-county area. Brake groan noise/feedback on moderate braking. Usually found when brakes are warm. Dealer "could not duplicate problem", of course. They suggested I was feeling the ABS system! 
47000 mi

US $200
Transmission shudder when accelerating in traffic (25-45mph). Passenger seat squeaks when someone is sitting in it. Loud "thump" sound when AC system switches from recirculate to fresh air. 
73000 mi

US $170
Low speed shudder during light acceleration. Technician "could not duplicate." This is the 4th or 5th complaint of this issue to dealer. The only solution is a transmission service ($80) which alleviates it for about a year. AC system makes wheezing sound and does not cool for periods of time, then later works fine. Replaced AC clutch, coil pack, and resister under TSB. 
102000 mi

US $1000
Periodic high pitch squealing coming from the rear of the vehicle. Caliper pins found out of position, and periodically rubbing against the rotors. Reset pins, and resurfaced rotors. 

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2007 Acura RDX 4dr SUV

turbocharged 240hp 2.3L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

93000 mi

C $1000
Transmission oil mixing with coolant. Problem with Radiator leak. 
66960 mi

C $400
Replaced starter. 
95480 mi

C $1500
Coolant leak at the back of engine near turbocharger. Exhaust manifold gasket needed replacement. 
100460 mi

C $1600
Exhaust manifold gasket needed to be replaced  and well as a tube going through turbo as there is a liquid cooled manifold and turbo. 
100000 mi

US $1500
vehicle smoking due to driver error. i put cheap oil in a turbocharged vehicle, that requires a higher grade, learned my lesson don't use cheap oil 
125000 mi

US $1300
AC has to be replaced. 
66000 mi

US $1000
Power steering line was leaking, needed to be replaced. 
66000 mi

US $300
Replaced power steering line 
86000 mi

US $1450
transmission line ruptured inside radiator, requiring replacement of radiator and transmission line. Flushed engine and transmission. 

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Acura RDX Expensive Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently Acura RDX problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.