2018 Acura RDX

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

75/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Acura RDX, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Fuel system	15	19%
Fuel/propulsion system	10	13%
Power train	6	8%
Unknown or other	4	5%
Service brakes	3	4%
Engine	3	4%
Vehicle speed control	3	4%
Electrical system	2	3%
Exterior lighting	2	3%
Structure	2	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

The light comes on due to an emission system warning, shaking, and a lack of power; the engine is severely misfiring. This is the second time I have complained about this to the NHTSA
NHTSA complaint: Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and d
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

Vehicle Information: 2018 Acura RDX AWDAffected System: Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Torque ConverterAssociated Code/Bulletin: DTC P0741 / Acura TSB B23-029Complaint Description:The vehicle is experiencing a do
NHTSA complaint: Power train

The transmission went into limp mode one day after coming to a stop. When I safely got home, I turned the car off. Upon restarting, the issue was gone, but this has now happened several times. Each time, putting the car
NHTSA complaint: Power train

Was driving down the hwy with the sunroof open tucked inside the headliner when a loud sound startled me and when I shut the sunroof glass rained down All over me
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other

When steady idle at 65 on the freeway the blind spot and check transmission light goes on flashes and stays on but when I shut off the vehicle and start it back up the light goes away.
NHTSA complaint: Lane departure

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE BRAKING ON MORE THAN 1 OCCASSION
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

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 wa
NHTSA complaint: Power train

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2018 Acura RDX. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Fuel system 23V858000

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, F

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

Fix: 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

The seven scores

Reliability raw	81	excellent
Longevity est.	82	excellent
Maintenance	84	excellent
Depreciation	65	good
Performance	57	average
Efficiency	39	below average
Safety	93	excellent

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 64% of SUVs
Longevity: better than 90% of SUVs
Running costs: better than 89% of SUVs
Value retention: better than 56% of SUVs

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 81: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 82: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2018 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 84: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety 93: NHTSA crash testing blended with IIHS awards.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2018 Acura RDX?

Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 15 of them (19%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 2018 Acura RDX reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 2018 Acura RDX last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 82/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2018 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2018 Acura RDX?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 75/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.