When my car got to the 80000 mile mark, my headlights became progressively dimmer. I have cleaned the lens, and replaced the bulbs 3 times in the last 3 months, and now they are so bad that I don't dare drive the car at night. I googled the problem and found a whole litany of Acura RDX owners who have experienced the same problem at the same time. see: https://www.carproblemzoo.com/acura/rdx/head…
2015 acura RDX lighting problems
moderate 330 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250
Complaints
330
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$250
What owners are reporting 15 most recent
Low beam headlamps are very dim and unsafe to drive with at night. Changing bulbs does not help as the interior of the unit is defective. This is very unsafe to drive at night.
The contact owns a 2015 Acura RDX. The contact stated that while driving at night, the low-beam headlights were dim. The contact had to utilize the high-beam headlights while driving. The contact called the local dealer but, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the reflectors inside the headlight housings were def…
The low beam headlights are dangerously low. Even after you replace the bulbs, the lights remain dim. The reflective coating in the assembly has degraded to the point where almost no light is visible while driving. I read where a recall was made for RDXs made during a specific timeframe in 2014, but mine was not one of them. I have ~97k miles on the 2015 RDX.
The car's Low Beams do not illuminate the road to a safe degree. I have replaced the low beam lights (done by an auto body shop) with a higher grade bulb but the replacement did not increase the light output. The whole headlight assembly will need to be replaced for it to be safe to drive at night. This seems to be a common problem with the Acura RDX and will be extremely costly to repair in order…
015RDX owner reported low-beam headlights are incredibly dim, making night driving unsafe. The outer surface of the headlight is not hazy and I suspect that it’s the the inner reflective coating (aluminum film) of the headlight assembly that has degraded substantially if not entirely. Acura/Honda must begin a recall for RDXs sold in 2015 and perhaps earlier. Acura/honda did recall RlX headlight as…
The low-beams have deteriorated in brightness rapidly over the last 8 months as the vehicle reaches 75,000 miles. The bulbs remain lit, but the reflector inside appears to not be adequately dispersing light, producing a very dim low-beam. The high-beams are not affected, indicating no electrical issues. The lack of a sufficiently bright headlight's risk is self evident: but includes the inability …
The headlights on this vehicle have deteriorated over time to the point where it is 100% a safety issue. I have had all of the bulbs replaced, but it is not the bulbs and this is a known issue with this model of vehicle. I am baffled that there hasn't been a recall for this vehicle for this KNOWN issue. It would be pretty easy to look across multiple forums and find numerous people with the sam…
My headlights are dim to the point of unsafe driving at night. I often cannot tell that my headlights are even on. I cannot see the side of the road, or what is in front of me, especially when other cars are approaching -- I have almost hit a person/pedestrian - it was a frightening experience. The problem has been confirmed only by my mechanic. I have contacted Acura The vehicle has only been i…
Low beam headlights are so dim I can’t safely drive at night.I have replaced bulbs with higher quality and brightness,but still very dim.Its like driving with parking light S on!Called the Acura dealership Crown Acura in Greensboro,N.C. and they said the reflector deteriorates on 2013-2015 models.Cost to replace both headlight fixtures 1500.00 my question is why Acura does not have a recall .This …
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2015 acura RDX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 330 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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