Photo: IFCAR / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
2011 Acura RDX: common problems and reliability
One of the better RDX years.
16 owner complaints, most about air bags. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2011 RDX?The 2011 Acura RDX has 16 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2011 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2011 Acura RDX vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other RDX years only. How we score it
Is 2011 a good year for the RDX?
Across the 20 RDX model years we track, complaint volume runs from 15 (2012) to 437 (2019). With 16 complaints, the 2011 RDX sits below the model's median of 40.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2011 RDX
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 19V182000Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 16V061000Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
What owners say across generations
Owners of the second-generation RDX (roughly 2013-2018) are overwhelmingly positive, repeatedly describing the V6 as smooth, potent, and long-lived, with many reporting 150,000 to nearly 300,000 miles on basic maintenance.
Owner insights cover all generations of the RDX. See the full RDX owner picture and every model year.
Other RDX model years
Compare every RDX year side by side to see how 2011 ranks against the rest.
Compare the RDX against its rivals
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