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Which Years Of Used Acura RDXs Are Most Reliable?


in Reliability

We've rounded up 10 of the most reliable Acura RDX years. See which ones (and which RDX years are considered less reliable) so you can car shop confidently.

White Acura RDX
Acura RDX by Kevauto - CC-BY-SA-4.0

The Acura RDX is one of the prominent SUV options from the Acura lineup, first appearing on the market in 2006. It’s an excellent entry-level option for an SUV. If you’re interested in purchasing a used version of this vehicle, it’s best to get the most bang for your buck. You might wonder - what is the Acura RDX’s most reliable year?

If you want to make the most of your money, select the most reliable year. It might feel overwhelming to pick a top contender with over fifteen years on the market, but we have you covered. Read on to learn about the Acura RDX’s most reliable year and other vital information before you buy one.

Most Reliable Years For The Acura RDX

People enjoy the Acura RDX because, with proper care, it’s a reliable option for an SUV. It also provides a remarkably durable experience, made to meld with any road conditions. However, it’s tricky to separate the good years from those with extensive complaints - which is why we did it for you.

Here are the most reliable years for the Acura RDX:

  • 2008 Acura RDX
  • 2009 Acura RDX
  • 2010 Acura RDX
  • 2011 Acura RDX
  • 2012 Acura RDX
  • 2016 Acura RDX
  • 2017 Acura RDX
  • 2018 Acura RDX
  • 2021 Acura RDX
  • 2022 Acura RDX

If you’re searching for the Acura RDX’s most reliable year, these options will provide the most value to your investment.

These stand out as the best for the Acura RDX with the fewest customer complaints, offering an ownership experience for drivers. Although there are still occasional flaws, they are nowhere near as extreme as the worst years for the product.

Invest in one of these years if you’re interested in the best of the best for the Acura RDX. However, it’s also helpful to examine the average reliability of the Acura RDX as a whole before going with this SUV.


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Are Acura RDXs Generally Reliable?

There are Acura RDXs that stand out as the most reliable, but it makes little difference if the RDX in general isn’t reliable. There’s no point putting your money down on a car that will drain your wallet every year.

The Acura RDX has a quality rating of 69 on withclutch.com, putting it in the excellent category for reliability. It’s one of the better-performing Acura options on the market, creating an excellent name for affordable luxury.

Let’s look at a secondary source for the Acura RDX’s reliability. According to repairpal.com, this vehicle scores an astonishing 4.55 in reliability, putting it first out of eleven other competitors in the luxury category.

The annual repair cost for the Acura RDX is $497, which is much lower than the average of $859 for other luxury compact vehicles. If there is an unexpected repair during the year, there is a 6% chance it will be severe - lower than the 10% average for similar luxury models.

People behind the wheel of the Acura RDX should expect to bring the vehicle in for repairs on average .4 times a year. Again, this number comes in below the average of .6. The Acura RDX has an excellent reputation.

Which Acura RDX Years Are The Least Reliable?

Your money matters and the best way to make the most of your money is to keep away from the Acura RDX options with the lowest reliability. Let’s go over a few of the worst to help you stay away from a poor vehicle investment.

If you want to find the Acura RDX’s most reliable year, stay away from these options at all costs:

  • 2007 Acura RDX
  • 2013 Acura RDX
  • 2014 Acura RDX
  • 2015 Acura RDX
  • 2019 Acura RDX
  • 2020 Acura RDX

If you buy one of these years, you’ll be saddled with excessive and pricey repairs.

There were extensive customer complaints during these years, especially compared to the other available models. A few of the riskiest include a sudden engine failure, loss of acceleration, and trouble getting the infotainment system to work. 

If you purchase one of these years, you are signing up for expensive repairs. However, it’s critical to note that purchasing the best year still comes with its share of troubles in the RDX.

What Reddit Says About the Best Year of the Acura RDX:

The Acura RDX has always been a solid entry-point into the luxury SUV segment, but what do people think of its reliability? Below, we found some owner accounts from Reddit: 

A Redditor gives their advice on the best RDX generation with some warnings:

Comment
byu/boatscantfloat from discussion
inAcura

On how the RDX can be reliability, but it’s not without issues:

Comment
by from discussion
inAcura

Another advice from a Redditor about which RDX years to avoid:

Comment
byu/KnowingCresent735 from discussion
inAcura

A vote of confidence for the 2017 RDX:

Comment
by from discussion
inAcura

Ultimately, the general sentiment about the RDX’s reliability leans on the positive side. While they’re certainly not faultless, these SUVs can deliver in terms of long-term dependability.


THE ACURA RDX YEARS TO AVOID

With regular maintenance and sensible driving, the Acura RDX is a durable SUV, but there are still some issues that are bound to happen. Here are the Acura RDX years to avoid.


What Are The Most Common Issues With An Acura RDX?

Every vehicle has its issues, no matter what brand or year you go with on the market. The Acura RDX is no different, with common complaints popping up left and right. It’s ideal to be aware of these.

According to enginepatrol.com, here are the most common issues with the Acura RDX:

  • Limp mode and sudden engine failure
  • Turbocharger breakage
  • Squeaking brakes
  • Rear hatch opening noise
  • Rear glass shattering
  • Dimming headlights

These may warrant unexpected repairs throughout the year.

No matter what year you purchase the Acura RDX, it’s possible these will show up. However, they are more common in the less reliable years.

We’ve considered many facts surrounding the RDX’s reliability. Now, it’s time for the most vital question - is the Acura RDX worth it?


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Is The Acura RDX Worth It?

Although some rivals offer better reliability, the RDX holds up well enough to be worth the price for a used version. Overall, it’s worth it for its durability on the road. It won’t require too many unexpected fixes.

There are some issues the RDX experiences across the board. However, none are too much trouble and shouldn’t appear excessively in the most reliable years.

Acura is a strong contender in the luxury vehicle market. Their cars are sturdy, affordable, and packed with quality features.


WHAT TO DO IF A DEALER REFUSES TO CANCEL EXTENDED WARRANTY

Car buying can occasionally be frustrating, especially if you’re purchasing your vehicle through a dealership. We’re here to tell you how to navigate a situation in which a dealer refuses to cancel your extended warranty.


Final Thoughts

Some years are better than others for the Acura RDX. However, if you purchase one of the most reliable years for this vehicle, you will get the most bang for your buck. They suffer the fewest troubles in a typical year.

We hope this information was valuable! It’s overwhelming to narrow down the year with the best reliability, so our information should come in handy. Always go with reliability to keep more money in your pocket.



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