2021 Acura Rdx Safety Report
2021 Acura RDX Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Acura Rdx
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 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 (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (98) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Acura Rdx with 10 complaints and 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Acura Rdx | 27 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Acura Rdx | 325 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Acura Rdx | 16 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Acura Rdx | 416 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2024 Acura Rdx | 10 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Acura Rdx | 71 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2021 Acura Rdx Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 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.
Unknown Or Other
19 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Acura onlyVisibility/Wiper
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Acura onlyService Brakes
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Acura onlyAir Bags
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Acura onlyVisibility
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Acura onlyStructure,Unknown Or Other
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure,Unknown Or Other issues Acura onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Acura Rdx
Reliability Score
The 2021 Acura Rdx receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 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 2021 Acura Rdx
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Acura Rdx:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Window Shattering Multiple reports of rear windows shattering without impact, posing a significant safety risk. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Infotainment System Failure The infotainment system fails occasionally, causing distraction while driving. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Driveline Issues There are reports of driveline issues, including driveshaft problems, which can affect vehicle performance. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Airbag Malfunction Airbag malfunctions have been reported, though less frequently than other issues. |
Low | 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 2021 Acura Rdx:
30% of reported issues involve rear windows shattering without impact.
20% of reported issues are related to the infotainment system failing.
15% of reported issues involve driveline problems.
5% of reported issues are related to airbag malfunctions.
Recall Details for the 2021 Acura Rdx
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Acura Rdx by NHTSA:
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Consequence: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Acura RDX and 2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. A component in the right or left front driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which could result in driveshaft failure.
Consequence: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, or cause the vehicle to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right or left front driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BBY, NBW, and OBX.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Acura Rdx
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Acura Rdx with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes.
The contact owns a 2021 Acura RDX. While driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal gunshot sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact inspected the exterior of the vehicle but found no failure. The contact stated that the following day, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the panoramic roof glass shattered, and glass shards fell inside the v...
Got in my vehicle as usual, started the vehicle shortly after I heard cracking thought nothing of it and all of a sudden the rear tailgate window shattered completely.
- Rear window shattered without impact or any signs of stress. - Safety at risk if driving and breakage occurs. In this case I was away from the parked vehicle when the shattering occurred. - There are quite a few reports of this issue online in Facebook Acura owner groups and in published news stories such as this: [XXX] - In my case, it was inspected by the repair company and confirmed to be ...
Infotainment system fails on occasions. Sceen goes completely blank causing distraction while driving. There is currently a recall for this issue for 2019-2020 RDX.
Sudden breaking of panoramic glass on sun/moon roof. I believe this is related to the clicking noise that is caused by the improper bolting in this model. There is an active service bulletin for the improper bolting/flexing in the panoramic glass. I called the Acura dealership where this was bought and they didn’t acknowledge that. I had my two children, toddler and infant, in the back. They like...
Warmed car before driving, once I got in car and shut drivers side, Rear window shattered. Common issue with other owners of same car. Reached out to Acura dealerships and they claim it’s not an issue that is happening and will not replace it.
The contact's sister owns a 2021 Acura RDX. The contact stated that the rear glass had shattered while the vehicle was parked in the driveway. The dealer was contacted and advised that the earliest availability to replace the glass was in 3-4 days. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, the manufacturer later informed the contact that the model year was not co...
After dealer (worldwide motors Ltd also call (Paragon Acura) 33-40 57th street, Woodside, NY 11377)replaced front and rear brake pads and rotors, my vehicle experienced unintended acceleration while stopped. While idling at a red light with my foot firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly moved forward approximately 10 feet on its own. This was a serious safety concern and nearly caused a c...
Back windshield glass exploded with no impact. Car was not moving. There is shattered glass everywhere and the car cannot be driven until it is repaired. This appears to be a well known issue but there is no official recall at this time. My Acura dealer said this was covered in warranty that expired in November. The incident happened December 13, 2025.
Back windshield shattered and blew out with zero impact. Car was parked Manufacturer denies responsibility . Independent company repaired because dealer was booked and needed fixed quickly. No one injured glass all over back of car and trapped in base of doo now because of faulty design. No warnings at all.
1:Sunroof frame shifts creating a popping noise during certain driving conditions. Turning and going up a drive way. 2:Distracting for the driver and passengers stay concerned the whole time. 3:There is a service bulletin with Acura 23-004 but no recall to the matter. 4: Unknown 5:No warning lamps
I had found a leak coming from my 2021 Acura RDX early November. I took it into the dealership December 1st to get it diagnosed and they stated that the transmission and transfer case needs to get replaced. du The problem has been confirmed by the Bloomington Acura dealership on December 1st 2025. After doing research online it looks like this has happened to multiple people with different Acura M...
My car was parked in my driveway. After starting it up and closing my driver’s side door, the entire rear windshield spontaneously shattered without warning or any external manipulation/force. There was no way of knowing of whether or not this would happen. I fear that if I had my dogs in the car (or a child) someone could have been seriously hurt. Shards of glass went everywhere - in the trunk, a...
I closed my driver door and the back window just shattered. The glass just exploded.
The transfer case began leaking between the transmission and transfer case. Upon taking it to a mechanic I’ve been told the entire transfer case needs replacement because it has prematurely failed. The repair cost is $5533.00. Through research I’ve seen there are many failing transfer cases on acuras with the SH all wheel drive systems. I believe Acura has a design flaw in the system and shoul...
Rear window spontaneously shattered
Complaint Summary I am filing this complaint regarding American Honda Motor Corp’s handling of a warranty claim on my 2021 Acura RDX. Despite being within the 4-year/50,000-mile warranty, I was denied full coverage for a well-documented defect: condensation/moisture in both headlight housings with no external damage. •Dealer (Rick Case Acura, Sunrise FL) confirmed the condition. •Technician Franci...
The contact owns a 2021 Acura RDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V064000 (AIR BAGS); 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 distribution disconnect.
While driving over a bump or curb to enter parking lot, I hear a popping noise coming from the sunroof at the front passenger and rear driver side of the car.
At start up, my car displayed 4 errors: Lane Keeping Assist System, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, and Electric Power Steering. As a result, my car could not steer and had to get it towed to the dealership.
Showing 20 of 98 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Acura Rdx
Has the 2021 ACURA RDX been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 ACURA RDX has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 ACURA RDX have?
The 2021 ACURA RDX has 98 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 ACURA RDX?
The 2021 ACURA RDX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 ACURA RDX?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 ACURA RDX involve unknown or other (19 complaints), visibility/wiper (8 complaints), service brakes (8 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, visibility, structure,unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2021 ACURA RDX have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2021 ACURA RDX out of 98 total complaints (2.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 ACURA RDX have?
There are no fire reports for the 2021 ACURA RDX in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 ACURA RDX?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 ACURA RDX.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 ACURA RDX?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 ACURA RDX. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 ACURA RDX?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 ACURA RDX is acceptable with caveats. It has 98 complaints, 2 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 2021 ACURA RDX?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 ACURA RDX are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (19 complaints), 2. VISIBILITY/WIPER (8 complaints), 3. SERVICE BRAKES (8 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (6 complaints), 5. VISIBILITY (5 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 19 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 ACURA RDX?
Be cautious of rear window shattering and driveline issues. Ensure the infotainment system is functioning properly before driving. The 2021 ACURA RDX has 98 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 ACURA RDX?
The 2021 ACURA RDX receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 98 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Rear Window Shattering and Infotainment System Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2021 ACURA RDX?
Known issues with the 2021 ACURA RDX include: Rear Window Shattering, Infotainment System Failure, Driveline Issues, Airbag Malfunction. These are based on patterns found across 98 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2021 Acura RDX?
Common issues include rear window shattering, infotainment system failures, driveline problems, and airbag malfunctions.
Is the rear window shattering a safety concern?
Yes, rear window shattering without impact poses a significant safety risk.
What should I do if my infotainment system fails while driving?
Pull over to a safe location and seek assistance to resolve the issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of rear window shattering and driveline issues. Ensure the infotainment system is functioning properly before driving.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Acura Rdx
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Acura Rdx. The data includes 98 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Acura Rdx an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 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