Acura RDX VIN Number Check

Decode an Acura RDX VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefix5J8

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Acura RDX

About the Acura RDX

Acura has sold the RDX in the US since the 2007 model year, and there have been three generations. TB1/2 first (2007–2012), then TB3/4 (2013–2018), and the TC1/2 took over for 2019–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 16 vehicle recall campaigns and 2,160 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the TB3/4. Its 2015 and 2014 model years alone account for 655 of them, with owners bringing up exterior lighting most often and the air bags after that. EPA rates the TB1/2 at 19–21 mpg combined, while the TC1/2 gets 23–24 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2007–2026

GenerationsTB1/2 · TB3/4 · TC1/2

NHTSA recall campaigns16

Owner complaints2,160 at NHTSA

Acura RDX photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Acura RDX generations

Three generations since the 2007 model year. The TB3/4 (2013–2018) has the most owner complaints, the TC1/2 (2019–2026) the most recall campaigns (10).

3 / 3

TC1/2

2019–20263rd generation

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

20072010201520202025

2019–2026· Generation 3 of 3

TC1/2 · 3rd generation

PlatformHonda Architecture (HA)

EPA combined mpg23–24

NHTSA recalls10

Engines (EPA)

2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2019–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, FWD
automatic (2019–2026)

Known issues to check

Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (247)Engine and cooling (171)Electrical system (88)

Mentions in 994 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · TC1/25J8TC2H6?KL······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2019 Acura RDX SH-AWD A-SPEC, built in East Liberty, Ohio

Check an RDX VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which RDX model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 16 campaigns on file for RDX model years 2007–2026, and the 2019 and 2020 show up in the most (5 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Acura RDX owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2019 and 2015 hold 850 of the 2,160 complaints, or 39%. Tap any bar or generation.

2,160NHTSA complaints, 2007–2026

57mention a crash

11mention a fire

47injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearTC1/2: 994 complaints · most for the 2019 (438)

Top complaint areas · TC1/2

Mentions in 994 complaints, 2019–2026.

Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)247

Engine and cooling171

Electrical system88

Fuel system81

Brakes80

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)76

Crashes 16Fires 2Injuries 14

2019–2026 (TC1/2)

NHTSA data summary

The 2019 is the outlier. On its own it has 438 of the TC1/2’s 994 complaints (44%), more than any other RDX model year, and owners across the generation name visibility most often (247 mentions), then engine and cooling (171).

What RDX owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2019–present (3rd generation)

The 2019 and 2020 draw most of the complaints. About a fifth of NHTSA owners of these years describe the rear tailgate glass shattering on its own, often while parked, and others report limp mode with lost acceleration. CarComplaints lists squealing brakes, limp mode and infotainment failure for 2019, and limp mode, grinding brakes and Apple CarPlay dropouts for 2020. Recalls cover fuel pumps on 2019–2020 models that may fail, front seat belt buckles on some 2019–2020 models that may not latch and passenger seat weight sensors on 2019–2024 models. [1] [2] [3] [4]

2013–2018 (2nd generation)

The 2015 draws by far the most complaints, and most NHTSA owners of the 2013 and 2015 describe low beam headlights that grow dim as the reflectors inside the housings degrade. CarComplaints lists dim low beams, a battery that keeps going dead and rear suspension clunks for 2013, and wiring chewed by rodents, stalling with misfires and dim headlights for 2015. Recalls cover driver air bag inflators on 2013–2016 models that may rupture. [5] [6] [7] [8]

2007–2012 (1st generation)

Complaint totals are low, peaking with the 2007, so owner data is thin. About a third of NHTSA owners of the 2007 write about the driver air bag inflator recall and waits for parts. CarComplaints lists turbocharger failure and a failed connecting rod bearing for 2007, turbo trouble and air conditioning condenser and compressor failure for 2008, and fluid leaks and headlight moisture for 2010. Recalls cover driver air bag inflators on these models that may rupture. [9] [10] [11] [12]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the air bag inflator recall on 2007 to 2016 models and the fuel pump and seat belt recalls on 2019 and 2020 models.
Check the low beams at night, inspect the tailgate glass for chips and ask whether it was replaced, and on older turbo models listen for turbo noise and check the air conditioning.

Sources (12) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

RDX complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every RDX version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

2,160complaints, 2007–2026

57mention a crash

11mention a fire

47injuries reported

1complaint reports a death

Most complaints: 2019 (438), 2015 (412), 2020 (346)

2019 · 438 complaints

Crashes 3 · fires 0 · injuries 5

Unknown or other142

Visibility/wiper96

Engine89

Electrical system39

Power train37

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

RDX CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 47 RDX versions for model years 2007–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 370 g/mi (2023). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

TB1/22007–2012

19–21 mpg · CO₂ 423–468 g/mi

TB3/42013–2018

22–23 mpg · CO₂ 386–402 g/mi

TC1/22019–2026

23–24 mpg · CO₂ 370–388 g/mi

Model year2025

23combined MPG

385CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,550EPA yearly fuel cost

5/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

5/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV50 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 50Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: AWD · Auto (S10), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo — 23 MPG · 385 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

RDX vs Lexus NX vs BMW X3

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2013–2018. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the RDX, against 4 for the Lexus NX and 25 for the BMW X3. Pick a range to compare.

Acura RDXTC1/2

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 10
NHTSA owner complaints: 994
EPA combined mpg: 23–24
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 247
Engine and cooling 171
Electrical system 88

Lexus NX

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 14
NHTSA owner complaints: 206
EPA combined mpg: 24–40
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0, 2.4, 2.5 L
Also listed: turbo, hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 35
Fuel system 34
Forward collision avoidance 20

BMW X3

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 37
NHTSA owner complaints: 578
EPA combined mpg: 16–29
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0, 3.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L
Also listed: turbo, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 163
Engine and cooling 110
Structure and body 72

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Acura RDX VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an RDX

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Red Acura RDX (third generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The RDX carries its VIN at the base of the driver's side windshield, on the door jamb sticker, and on a B-pillar label. Engine bay stamp is present on some model years. RDX underwent a significant 2019 redesign, verify the VIN decode matches the chassis generation being purchased. The TC1/2 generation starts with the 2019 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (K for 2019) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Acura RDX VIN questions

Which Acura RDX model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2019 leads with 438, ahead of the 2015 (412) and 2020 (346). Those first two alone make up 39% of the 2,160 RDX complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Acura RDX had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 16 vehicle campaigns for model years 2007–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, TC1/2 leads with 10. Then come the TB3/4 (6) and TB1/2 (3), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Acura RDX recalls are high risk?

16V-061 covers air bag inflators that can rupture. 19V-182 and 19V-500 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which RDX generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the TB1/2 is 2007–2012 and the TB3/4 2013–2018. TC1/2 spans 2019–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (K is 2019).

What fuel economy does the Acura RDX get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2019–2026 TC1/2 at 23–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 19–21 mpg for the 2007–2012 TB1/2 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Acura RDX compare with the Lexus NX and BMW X3 on recalls?

For 2019–2026 models the RDX has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Lexus NX has 14, the BMW X3 37. Complaints run 994, 206 and 578 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Acura RDX have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 RDX 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.

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Acura RDX VIN Number Check

About the Acura RDX

Acura RDX generations