2021 Acura RDX problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2021 Acura RDX. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 31% of relevant complaints.
Better than 68% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 15 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 27%).
Does the 2021 Acura RDX have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 31 of 99 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Acura RDX concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (31%). For comparison, the 2020 scores 23% and the 2022 scores 3%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
The rest of the picture on the 2021 Acura RDX
- Every owner quote, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 31 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows them, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2021 Acura RDX?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2021 Acura RDX involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 3 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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…
2 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 17, 2026.
Checking one particular 2021 Acura RDX? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
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Does the 2021 Acura RDX have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 31 of 99 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Acura RDX concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (31%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2021 Acura RDX?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign on the 2021 Acura RDX involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 3 in total: 21V939000 (power train: driveline: driveshaft). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Acura RDX years are better?
Among the Acura RDX years we track, the 2022 (3%), the 2014 (11%) and the 2013 (22%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2021 (31%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.
Should I buy a 2021 Acura RDX?
That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2021 Acura RDX shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.