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Your vehicleHome›Acura›RDX› 2020
Acura · Compact SUV

2020 Acura RDX

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
C
Safety Signal
70 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 5
Complaints4 crash · 1 fire · 4 injured reported 348
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 24 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2020 Acura RDX is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RDX FWD, is EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 348 complaints, most often about the visibility/wiper. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Acura RDX — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Acura RDX · Photo: Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
RDX FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222824$3,400
RDX FWD A-SPECGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222724$3,400
RDX AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212723$3,550
RDX AWD A-SPECGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212623$3,550

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 41408, 41409, 41410, 41411.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
RDX AWD, RDX AWD A-SPEC, RDX FWD, RDX FWD A-SPEC6 / 10California LEV-III ULEV50 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 50All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors5
GVWR classClass 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2 L
Engine configurationIn-Line

Engine Output

Horsepower272 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain4x2
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds10

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking

Optional: Blind-spot monitoring

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: A-SPEC, ADVANCE, Super Handling AWD, Super Handling AWD A-SPEC). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length186.6 in
Width (body, without mirrors)74.8 in
Height65.7 in
Wheelbase108.3 in
Track, front64.2 in
Track, rear64.6 in
Curb weight4,034 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear57/43

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here one configuration: 4-door SUV. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Also on file Beside the 2020 RDX
Other years The 2026 RDX Recalls Acura recalls
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Factory warranty running out?

The 2020 Acura RDX is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (5)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Air Bags

98,892 vehicles 32% reported repaired
Problem Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash. Risk Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Filed with NHTSADefect report PDFOwner letter PDFDealer notice PDF
NHTSA campaign 26V332000 reported May 21, 2026 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Air Bags

XHP, VHQ
750,114 vehicles 58% reported repaired
Problem 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. Risk An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury. Fix Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 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.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 24V064000 reported Feb 1, 2024 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

KGC, KGD
2,490,460 vehicles 79% reported repaired
Problem 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, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. 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 are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V858000 reported Dec 18, 2023 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Seat Belts

NDA, QDB, BDC, MDD
448,613 vehicles 83% reported repaired
Problem Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019 Insight, and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles. A manufacturing issue with the front seat belts may cause the seat belt buckle channel to interfere with the release button, preventing the seat belt buckle from latching. Risk An unlatched seat belt cannot properly restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury. Fix Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger seat belt buckle release buttons or the buckle assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are NDA, QDB, BDC, MDD, LD9. TDF, FDG, ODH, YDI, ZDE.
Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDFRemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 23V158000 reported Mar 9, 2023 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

Multiple Codes
624,552 vehicles 95% reported repaired
Problem Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. Risk Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-314.
Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF
NHTSA campaign 21V215000 reported Mar 25, 2021 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific RDX

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2020 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Acura publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Acura’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2020 Acura RDX, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2020 Acura RDX

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this RDX →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
348complaints filed

4 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported

54 per 10,000 built · Acura reported 64,734 RDX built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2019: 4 · 2020: 47 · 2021: 27 · 2022: 32 · 2023: 33 · 2024: 82 · 2025: 71 · 2026: 52

Most-cited components

Unspecified 102
Visibility/Wiper → 101
Engine → 57
Fuel/Propulsion System 37
Electrical System 27
Structure 26

In depth: visibility and wiper problems → · engine problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The electrical system and related systems sporadically fail to operate and in some cases attempt to take over control of the vehicle making it extremely unsafe while driving. When the dealership (spitzer) was alerted they shown no interest in even looking at the vehicle. The problems persist on a daily basis
Electronic Stability Control at 4,372 miles Aug 17, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11349867
The contact owns a 2020 Acura Rdx. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated several unknown warning lights were illuminated.
Electrical System at 1,390 miles Aug 10, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11348392
While driving at a consistent rate of speed on a 65 MPH highway the vehicle suddenly and without warning lost engine power. The vehicle began to rapidly drop speed and the check engine light would blink when the accelerator was depressed.
Engine at 4,900 miles Aug 5, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11343575
Front brakes make noise and you can feel the abrasive rubbing. I have had both the brake pads and rotors replaced ar approx 2500 miles only to have the symptom reoccurrence about 500 miles later. Dealer says a ticket has been opened with Acura to remanufacture brake pads but I have not had an update in over two months I think.
Service Brakes at 2,500 miles Aug 2, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11342852
I purchased a new 2020 Acura Rdx in january of 2020. Very soon my wife and I noticed that from time to time when she was seated in the front passenger seat, the "air bag off" light would remain illuminated.
Air Bags Jun 25, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11330820
While the vehicle is in motion the suspension / front dampers are making clunking and popping noises every time you go over a bumps, potholes or turn on unleveled road. The suspension parts were replaced by the dealership and the noise has gotten more prominent
Suspension Jun 19, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11329735

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Acura itself: 27 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 30 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 42 per 100,000 built. Every RDX model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 6k

miles, typically

Half the 82 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 2,000 and 25,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 48
10k–20k 9
20k–30k 9
30k–40k 1
40k–50k 1
50k–60k 3
60k–70k 4
70k–80k 3
80k–90k 2
90k–100k 0
100k–150k 1
150k + 1

Median mileage by component

ComponentReportsMedian milesVs same age
Engine306,0000.12×
Service Brakes201,8600.24×
Visibility/Wiper1655,0007.86×
Power Train124,9000.12×
Vehicle Speed Control126,0001.0×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2020-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: engine (0.12×), service brakes (0.24×), power train (0.12×); later: visibility/wiper (7.86×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Across 2019–2020 model years the Acura RDX ranks 17 of 79 nameplates in the odometer-at-first-complaint study: owners reported problems at 0.56× the mileage of vehicles the same age (median 9,200 miles against a fleet 23,512).

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Driver-assist crash reports (2)

Source: NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01
2reports filed

2 severity unknown

Jul 2021 to Jul 2021 · 1 with an air bag deployment · 2 towed

What was engaged, and what was hit

System named: not named in the filings

Crash partner: Unknown 2

Filed by: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

IncidentSystemStruckInjury allegedStateSpeedReport
Jul 2021Level 2UnknownunknownNC—62-1636
—Level 2UnknownunknownFL—62-3044

From the manufacturer’s own filing

The reporting entity’s narrative as NHTSA published it, with anything identifying removed and nothing added. A narrative is a notice, written before the entity had verified what happened.

The customer was turning right at an intersection when another driver ran a red light and hit the customer, causing her to spin several times. The customer alleges that the Lane Keep Assist System and Adaptive Cruise Control were engaged.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) report 62-1636 Jul 2021 NHTSA SGO filing
The customer was rear-ended by another vehicle. The customer alleges that the Lane Keep Assist System and Adaptive Cruise Control were engaged
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) report 62-3044 — NHTSA SGO filing

A report under the General Order is a notice the manufacturer or operator must file within days of hearing of a crash in which a Level 2 driver-assist or automated-driving system was engaged within 30 seconds of impact. It is filed before anything is verified, and entities with telematics hear of far more crashes than entities that rely on complaints, so counts say as much about the reporting as about the car and are not comparable across makes. Nothing is normalised by fleet size. Every report on file, by make and year → · NHTSA’s page and files

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 3 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Honda warranty extension (66) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 234
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-05-18
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 231 service bulletins, 2 others, 1 over-the-air update

Most often about: Electrical System, Visibility/Wiper, Equipment, Structure, Fuel/Propulsion System.

  • B21673 Over-the-air update
    2026-05-18 · Electrical System
  • Over The Air Update - Vehicles equipped with the System Updates application are capable of downloading and installing Over the Air System Updates. System Updates contain upgrades that fix a variety of operational errors and/or enhancements that add new functionality. Information for the various software releases can be found in this document. Software version: D.1.6.4
  • B23-004 Service bulletin
    2025-10-17 · Structure — Body
  • "Service Bulletin - A pop noise can occur from the rear roof area when turning into driveways, bumps, or on an incline due to, in some cases, the panoramic roof frame mounting bolts are unable to maintain the necessary clamp force. This can allow shifting, which may lead to a pop noise."
  • B25-049 Service bulletin
    2025-09-17 · Engine
  • Service Bulletin - Oil leak at the cam chain tensioner inspection cover due to and insufficient sealant adhesion on the inspection cover.
  • B19-053 Service bulletin
    2025-05-30 · Service Brakes
  • Service Bulletin - The front and/or rear brakes make a high-pitched squeal when the brakes are lightly applied at 24 km/h (15 mph) or less, with ambient temperatures below 10°C (50°F).
  • B19-053 Service bulletin
    2025-05-16 · Service Brakes
  • Service Bulletin - The front and/or rear brakes make a high-pitched squeal when the brakes are lightly applied at 24 km/h (15 mph) or less, with ambient temperatures below 10°C (50°F).
  • 2025-05-10 · Structure — Body
  • Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2025 RDXs and 2022-2025 MDXs with a client complaint of a pop noise in the rear sunroof area. Clients may describe a single pop noise heard while driving over a bump or turning in and out of driveways. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a
  • 2025-04-25 · Structure — Body
  • Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2019-2025 RDXs and 2022-2025 MDXs with a client complaint of a pop noise in the rear sunroof area. Clients may describe a single pop noise heard while driving over a bump or turning in and out of driveways. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a
  • B23-025 Service bulletin
    2024-12-18 · Electrical System
  • Service Bulletin - A coaxial cable terminal was not manufactured to proper specifications. An improperly manufactured terminal may lead to poor communication in the media-oriented system (MOST) bus network which can potentially affect the audio sound quality.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0171
P0171 on Acura →		The engine is running lean on bank 1: too much air, or not enough fuel, for the mixture the computer wants.Fuel/Propulsion System · Mass air flow sensor →15 bulletins
P0174
P0174 on Acura →		The engine is running lean on bank 2.Fuel/Propulsion System · Mass air flow sensor →15 bulletins
P219A
P219A on Acura →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Fuel/Propulsion System · Fuel pump →15 bulletins
P0087
P0087 on Acura →		Fuel rail pressure is below what the system commanded.Fuel/Propulsion System · Fuel pump →7 bulletins
P061B
P061B on Acura →		Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine4 bulletins
P0460Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Fuel/Propulsion System · Fuel pump →2 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2020 Acura RDX failed the emissions check on 1.2% of first inspections — lower than the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.1% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%).

New York inspections 1.2%

failed emissions

3,422 initial inspections of 3,352 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2020 RDXEvery 2020 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check1.2%2.2%3,415
Failed the safety inspection1.1%1.6%3,422
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.20%0.19%3,422
Miles driven a year9,5039,980odometer at inspection
Average odometer59,49162,630odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2020 vehicle” is every 2020 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

RDX by model year

all years, side by side →
Year Safety Recalls Complaints
2026 A 0 1 23 mpg2025 A 1 30 23 mpg2024 B 2 12 23 mpg2023 B 2 24 24 mpg2022 B 2 31 24 mpg2021 C 3 117 24 mpg2020 this page C 5 348 24 mpg2019 C 5 440 24 mpg2018 A 1 77 23 mpg2017 A 1 80 23 mpg2016 C 2 41 23 mpg

Common questions about the 2020 RDX

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2020 Acura RDX have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 5 recall campaigns for the 2020 Acura RDX. The most serious on file is 26V332000, covering Air Bags. 1 campaign is phased, so the repair reached some model years before others. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2020 Acura RDX?

NHTSA gave the 2020 Acura RDX 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it C (70/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Acura RDX?

Across the 4 EPA-rated configurations of the 2020 Acura RDX, the best EPA combined figure is 24 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2020 Acura RDX?

Transport Canada measured it at 186.6 in long, 74.8 in wide (body, without mirrors), 65.7 in tall, on a 108.3 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 4,034 lb. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2020 Acura RDX?

Owners have filed 348 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Acura RDX, most often about unspecified, visibility/wiper, engine. Of those, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2020 Acura RDX?

The EPA smog rating for the 2020 Acura RDX is 6 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV50, Federal Tier 3 Bin 50 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2020 Acura RDX?

The manufacturer has filed 234 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2020 Acura RDX, most often covering electrical system, visibility/wiper, equipment. The most recent is dated 2026-05-18. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2020 Acura RDX do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2020 Acura RDX failed the emissions check on 1.2% of first inspections — lower than the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.1% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations4 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates4 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls5NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints348NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins234NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reports2NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01Crashes the manufacturer or operator reported with a Level 2 or automated-driving system engaged. Notices, filed before verification; not comparable across makes.
Specifications filed with NHTSA13 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Where to go next

pages beside this one
Other years The 2026 RDX The RDX model year with the cleanest record on file — grade A, 0 recalls.Recalls Every Acura recall on file All campaigns filed against Acura vehicles, newest first, with the manufacturer's own number.Recall Watch Watch this RDX by VIN Give it the VIN and you hear the night a campaign is filed — from $29 a month for a lot, free for ten.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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