2018 Acura RDX engine problems
11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2018 Acura RDX — 14% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The light comes on due to an emission system warning, shaking, and a lack of power; the engine is severely misfiring. This is the second time I have complained about this to the NHTSA”
filed Aug 18, 2026
“The torque converter is defective in my 2018 Acura RDX. I have received flashing warning lights on my dashboard in Red " Check Transmission." This warning light is due to Acura's defective torque converter. The torque converter affects the shifting of power during driving and cause hesitance or…”
filed Sep 25, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Service Bulletin - The lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator…
B23-029 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 18, 2025Dealer Message - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper specifications. As a result, the torque converter lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a…
BEBM04182025901 · Other · issued Apr 18, 2025Service Bulletin - The lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the transmission indicator…
B23-029 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 26, 2024Service Bulletin - The MIL comes on during vehicle operation due to variations in the purge control solenoid valve spring, the valve wears unevenly and intermittently sticks. This may result in setting DTC P0441…
B23-035 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 10, 2024Service Bulletin - The lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to pressure bleeding down through a crack in the lock up piston. The reduced lock-up clutch capacity results in the Malfunction Indicator…
B23-029 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 31, 2023
Engine problems in other RDX years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 RDX | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 RDX | 4 | 19% |
| 2022 RDX | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 RDX | 20 | 18% |
| 2020 RDX | 53 | 15% |
| 2019 RDX | 89 | 20% |
| 2017 RDX | 11 | 15% |
| 2016 RDX | 7 | 18% |
| 2015 RDX | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 RDX | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 RDX | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 RDX | 2 | 9% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 Acura RDX
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.