Service bulletin - A judder from the torque converter lock-up clutch may be felt while driving between 20 and 60 mph. The problem is typically diagnosed as a bad torque converter. American Honda investigated the judder and found that the torque converter was not causing the judder and the transmission is not damaged by this judder.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Acura RDX powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Acura RDX have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 RDX | 5 |
| 2015 RDX (this page) | 4 |
| 2016 RDX | 6 |
| 2017 RDX | 20 |
| 2018 RDX | 12 |
| 2019 RDX | 36 |
When does it fail?
Of the 4 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 Acura RDX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 8 model years of Acura RDX we track for powertrain problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (4).
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
2015 Acura rdx the acceleration is very touchy in that slight accelerator pressure generates an unexpected increase in speed. The vehicle also tends to hesitate when accelerating while the transmission is simultaneously shifting gears. *mw also, when braking and applying slight yet constant pressure to the brake, the brakes often grabbed more abruptly. When coasting/slowing down, the…
On 12/4/2020 during the last service on my 2015 Acura rdx, the mechanic noticed badly rusted front drive axle shafts and warned me of the possibility of their breaking on the road. I just noticed that Honda is in the process of issuing a recall for the exact same problem. However, 2015 rdx is not a part of that recall. 20v769 and 20v770 are the recall numbers for the related issue. I believe…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 Acura RDX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2015 Acura RDX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 30,839 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Acura/RDX.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.