Service Bulletin - Oil leak at the cam chain tensioner inspection cover due to and insufficient sealant adhesion on the inspection cover.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Acura RDX engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Acura RDX have filed 49 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 10,423 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
49
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 RDX | 5 |
| 2018 RDX | 3 |
| 2019 RDX (this page) | 49 |
| 2020 RDX | 32 |
| 2021 RDX | 5 |
| 2023 RDX | 3 |
What stands out
Of the 7 model years of Acura RDX we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 49.
Owners have filed 49 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Service Bulletin - The MIL is flashing with a loss of power. This is most common in hot, humid regions, or after a period of rainfall. Humid air within the intake passage may condense and accumulate moisture during steady driving which enters the engine and may cause a misfire and a flashing MIL.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - Under certain circumstances, the vehicle may experience driveability concerns. This may result in the following DTCâs to set: ⢠P0300 (Random Misfire Detected), ⢠P0301 (No. 1 Cylinder Misfire Detected), ⢠P0302 (No. 2 Cylinder Misfire Detected), ⢠P0303 (No. 3 Cylinder Misfire Detected), ⢠P0304 (No. 4 Cylinder Misfire Detected), ⢠P0172 (Fuel System Too Rich)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or P219A&B (Air-Fuel Ratio Variation of Cylinder) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2016-2020 MDXs, RDXs & TLXs with a client complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) on with the DTC P030X (Cylinder Misfire Detected), P0171 & P0174 (Rear/Front Bank Fuel System Too Lean), or P219A&B (Air-Fuel Ratio Variation of Cylinder) stored. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2019 Acura RDX vehicles describe a dangerous pattern: the engine suddenly loses power and enters limp mode, usually during highway acceleration, passing, or merging. The vehicle can drop from highway speed to 20–40 mph with no warning, sometimes recovering after a restart, sometimes requiring a tow. The check engine light typically flashes during these episodes, yet dealers find no stored diagnostic codes and cannot replicate the problem afterward.
Many incidents occur in wet conditions or cool weather, often during passing maneuvers where power loss creates immediate safety hazard—owners report nearly being hit by oncoming traffic or rear-ended. One owner's engine was found to have metal debris in the oil pan and required full engine replacement. Another was towed 130 miles after limp-mode activation; the dealership recorded an engine misfire code but nothing more actionable.
A fuel pump recall (21V215000) exists but as of early 2024, replacement parts remain unavailable, leaving owners unprotected. Acura Service Bulletin 20-053 is referenced but appears to offer no permanent fix. Dealers consistently tell owners they cannot repair what they cannot reproduce and to return if the issue happens again—cold comfort when the malfunction occurs in traffic. One owner reports being told by Honda that failure determination is impossible: the fuel pump either works or fails, with no way to predict breakdown before it happens.
Same Acura RDX engine reports on nearby years: 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden Power Loss / Limp Mode During Acceleration
Engine enters limp-mode (reduced power output to ~20-40 mph) during acceleration, typically when passing or merging at highway speeds. Vehicle becomes unresponsive to accelerator pedal input and cannot maintain or increase speed. Condition clears after restart.
When: Mostly early ownership (1,000–57,000 miles); often during passing maneuvers, highway merges, or high-demand acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power; Vehicle max speed drops to 20–40 mph in limp mode; Check engine light flashes; Engine misfire or rough running sensation; Reduced or no response to accelerator pedal; Blinking malfunction indication lamp (CEL)
Codes mentioned: P0300, P0301, P0304, C1555
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate issue or find stored fault codes in most cases; one owner reports turbocharger-related parts ordered; one case involved fuel pump replacement (40,000 miles) under recall 21V215000
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura Service Bulletin 20-053 mentioned; fuel pump recall 21V215000 issued (parts unavailable as of early 2024); dealer advice typically: restart vehicle, monitor, return if recurs; software updates attempted in some cases; Honda/Acura stated unable to determine failure beforehand
Engine Stalling / Complete Loss of Power
Engine stalls or loses all propulsive power, often at stop lights, intersections, during merges, or accelerations. Vehicle may become immobile or nearly immobile until restart. May occur multiple times within short timeframe (up to 6–8 stalls in 18 months reported).
When: Early ownership; varies from merging, stop-light acceleration, highway entry, routine acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine stall or loss of propulsive force; Vehicle immobile or severely limited speed; Warning lights illuminated (check engine, AWD malfunction, brake system, power steering, stability control, ACC system lights); Inability to shift into reverse or delayed shift response; Engine runs rough or fails to respond to throttle input
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump motor replacement in one case (recall 21V215000); one owner reports warped head gasket with coolant leak detected at 116,000 miles after 100k service; metal debris found in oil pan and filter requiring engine replacement (narrative #7)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 21V215000 (fuel pump); dealer diagnostic testing recommended but often unable to reproduce; one case: hard reset of system; repair status varies—some completed, some pending
Weather-Related Power Loss (Rain/Wet Conditions)
Loss of engine power or limp mode triggered specifically during or after driving in rain or wet conditions, particularly on cool days (30–50 °F) or humid weather. Condition may persist even as rain decreases.
When: Variable mileage; triggered by wet weather operation, cool ambient temperatures, or high humidity
Symptoms owners cite: Power loss coinciding with wet road conditions; Limp mode activation during or shortly after heavy rain; Check engine light illumination or flashing; Loss of acceleration ability; Vehicle max speed limitation to 20–40 mph
Codes mentioned: P0300, P0301, P0304
Repairs/costs cited: No consistent repair documented; one case notes service advisor mentioned potential software fix coming; multiple owners report inability to replicate issue or find stored codes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura states unable to determine failure beforehand or fix unless issue duplicated; online forum discussions suggest software issue; no formal weather-specific TSB or recall identified in narratives
Synthesized from 49 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2019 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 engine problem on the 2019 Acura RDX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 49 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 5,000 and 19,200 miles, with the median around 10,423. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,000; a quarter make it past 19,200. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2019/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.