2018 Acura Rdx Safety Report
2018 Acura RDX Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Acura Rdx
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Acura Rdx. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (71) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Fuel System, Gasoline | Compare fuel system, gasoline issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2016 | Compare against the 2016 Acura Rdx with 38 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Acura Rdx before buying across this generation. |
Acura Rdx Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Acura Rdx years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Acura Rdx | 416 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Acura Rdx | 71 | 1 | Use as a comparable safety baseline. |
| 2020 Acura Rdx | 325 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Acura Rdx | 38 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Acura Rdx | 98 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Acura Rdx | 394 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Acura Rdx Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Acura Rdx, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Fuel System, Gasoline
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Acura onlyFuel/Propulsion System
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Acura onlyPower Train
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Acura onlyService Brakes
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Acura onlyEngine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Acura onlyUnknown Or Other
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Acura onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Acura Rdx
Reliability Score
The 2018 Acura Rdx receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Acura Rdx
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Acura Rdx
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Acura Rdx:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline Recalled due to a fuel pump impeller issue that could cause the car to shut down. This defect has been reported in multiple models, including the 2018 Acura RDX. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Defects have led to harsh shifting, delayed engagement, and repeated slipping into neutral, affecting driving safety and comfort. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes Unintended acceleration while braking has been reported, which can be dangerous and may lead to accidents. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Torque Converter Defective torque converter has been identified, causing dashboard warning lights and affecting vehicle performance. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Acura Rdx:
Fuel system issues, particularly with the fuel pump, are a common concern.
Transmission defects leading to harsh shifting and delayed engagement are frequently reported.
Unintended acceleration while braking has been reported by a few owners.
Defective torque converter has been identified in a few cases.
Recall Details for the 2018 Acura Rdx
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2018 Acura Rdx by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Acura Rdx
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Acura Rdx with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes.
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE BRAKING ON MORE THAN 1 OCCASSION
I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious transmission defect on my 2018 Acura RDX that materially worsened after an Acura-authorized warranty repair addressing a known torque converter defect. Acura issued a warranty extension / service campaign for the torque converter on certain 2017–2018 RDX vehicles. Prior to this repair, my vehicle did not exhibit any severe jerking, slipping, or un...
The vehicle has developed a serious transmission defect involving harsh shifting, delayed engagement, and repeated slipping into neutral while driving. Since picking the vehicle up from Key Acura after an inspection, the condition has worsened significantly. The “Check Engine” light, the flashing “D” indicator, and the transmission warning light are now consistently illuminated. Prior to the deale...
I have been experiencing unintended acceleration when I press on my brakes. Fortunately, there hasn't been any accidents yet but it's a very dangerous situation.
My car's original security alarm goes off randomly without any reason. When parked and locked in a parking lot next to a street, the alarm goes off intermittently. After unlocking using FOB, the alarm will turn off and then goes off again in a few minutes. This will go on for hours at a time until it stops for a few days and then reoccurs again! Very stressful and frustrating. The mechanic says ...
The torque converter is defective in my 2018 Acura RDX. I have received flashing warning lights on my dashboard in Red " Check Transmission." This warning light is due to Acura's defective torque converter. The torque converter affects the shifting of power during driving and cause hesitance or shuddering when attempting to accelerate.which causes my vehicle to sometimes to have a decrease in ...
The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had no...
The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, t...
[XXX] on [XXX], traveling 70mph on busy highway, blind spot monitoring failed, gear display failed, and check transmission message flashed across display. Had to guide car safety off road and into parking lot. This was first time ever happened. Did not know what was going on or what was happening; safety features like blind spot monitoring (especially after becoming accustomed to) failing all o...
Received a recall notice in December 2023 about the fuel Acura Fuel Pump Motor Recall. Since then I have received several notices from Acura but the parts are not available when I contact the dealership to schedule service. They claim the parts have not been made available to the dealerships. However the OEM part is available for purchase from several parts suppliers. This is not acceptable.
The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel system, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The ...
About About a year ago I received notification that The fuel pump impeller was improperly moulded and this could cause the car to shut down. This could cause accidents. Well, I have called Acura and Honda dealerships a multiple times and they give me the run around. Some say wait for mail stating that I should schedule an appointment. I never received such letter. Other dealers didn’t even look up...
The car jerks right at 20mph in traffic every time as long as you continue to drive. When you pull over, turn the car off, restart the car the problem stops. I’ve had this problem off and on for the last two years and it’s getting worse.
The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distributio...
The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a f...
The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amo...
I have received the recall notice from American Honda Motor company regarding the recall number 23V-858 for my Acura RDX 2018 fuel pump recall. My car had symptoms described by the recall: could not start the engine as well as losing drive power. I didn't record the exact days the incident occurred but it was early in 2024. Acura told me the fuel pump replacements were available and sent to their ...
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.
The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had no...
The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that several local dealers were contacted and confirmed that parts were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Th...
Showing 20 of 71 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Acura Rdx
Has the 2018 ACURA RDX been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 ACURA RDX has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 ACURA RDX have?
The 2018 ACURA RDX has 71 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 5 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 ACURA RDX?
The 2018 ACURA RDX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 ACURA RDX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 ACURA RDX involve fuel system, gasoline (15 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (10 complaints), power train (6 complaints). Other affected components include service brakes, engine, unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2018 ACURA RDX have?
There are 5 crash reports associated with the 2018 ACURA RDX out of 71 total complaints (7.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 ACURA RDX have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 ACURA RDX in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 ACURA RDX?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 ACURA RDX.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 ACURA RDX?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 ACURA RDX. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 ACURA RDX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 ACURA RDX is acceptable with caveats. It has 71 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 ACURA RDX?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 ACURA RDX are: 1. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (15 complaints), 2. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (10 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (6 complaints), 4. SERVICE BRAKES (3 complaints), 5. ENGINE (3 complaints). FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE is the single most-reported problem area with 15 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 ACURA RDX?
Be cautious of fuel system and transmission issues, as they can pose significant safety risks. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2018 ACURA RDX has 71 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 ACURA RDX?
The 2018 ACURA RDX receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 71 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Fuel System, Gasoline and Transmission.
What are the known issues with the 2018 ACURA RDX?
Known issues with the 2018 ACURA RDX include: Fuel System, Gasoline, Transmission, Service Brakes, Torque Converter. These are based on patterns found across 71 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common safety issues with the 2018 Acura RDX?
The most common issues are fuel system problems, particularly with the fuel pump, and transmission defects.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Acura RDX?
Yes, there have been recalls related to the fuel pump, which could cause the car to shut down.
What should I do if I experience unintended acceleration while braking?
Seek professional assistance immediately to diagnose and address the issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of fuel system and transmission issues, as they can pose significant safety risks. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Acura Rdx
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Acura Rdx. The data includes 71 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 5 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Acura Rdx an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13