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 ↗2020 Acura RDX engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Acura RDX have filed 32 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 6,935 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 RDX | 5 |
| 2018 RDX | 3 |
| 2019 RDX | 49 |
| 2020 RDX (this page) | 32 |
| 2021 RDX | 5 |
| 2023 RDX | 3 |
What stands out
Owners have filed 32 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.
Among the 7 model years of Acura RDX in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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 ↗Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is investigating certain 2020-2022 MDXs & RDXs with a client complaint of the Check Engine Light (CEL) on & the DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low [Loss of Fuel Pressure]) stored. In some cases, the customer may also experience such conditions as engine hard to start, no start or start & stumble in conjunction with CEL. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.
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 investigating certain 2020-2022 MDXs & RDXs with a client complaint of the Check Engine Light (CEL) on & the DTC P0087 (Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low [Loss of Fuel Pressure]) stored. In some cases, the customer may also experience such conditions as engine hard to start, no start or start & stumble in conjunction with CEL. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect 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 2020 Acura RDX vehicles describe a recurring pattern of sudden, uncontrollable power loss during acceleration—most often during heavy acceleration, highway merges, passing, or driving in rain. The vehicle drops from highway speed to 5–30 mph with the check engine light flashing; the engine continues to run but will not respond to the gas pedal. The incident typically resolves after turning the engine off and restarting; no diagnostic codes remain stored, and dealers cannot replicate the fault during diagnostics.
This problem occurs across a broad mileage range from 1,840 miles to beyond 90,000 miles, though most reports cluster in the first few years of ownership. Many incidents happened while changing lanes or attempting to pass, putting drivers in immediate danger. Owners document frustration: Acura issued Technical Service Bulletin 20-053 (intercooler replacement) in April 2021 and a recall 23V-858 in December 2023, yet owners confirm these fixes have not resolved the limp-mode episodes. A few owners report head gasket failures diagnosed as the cause, with replacement costs around $6,500, though the same failure has recurred months later. Dealers consistently claim inability to diagnose the issue and deny warranty coverage without a manufacturer acknowledgment.
Same Acura RDX engine reports on nearby years: 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended deceleration / limp mode during acceleration
Vehicle suddenly loses power and enters limp mode, reducing speed dramatically (to 5–30 mph), often triggered by heavy acceleration or passing maneuvers. Check engine light flashes or illuminates. Power returns after engine restart; no codes stored or codes clear after restart.
When: Typically occurs between 1,840 and 92,000 miles; most reported in early ownership. Often triggered during rain, wet conditions, or demanding acceleration (highway merges, passing).
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power and acceleration response; Check engine light flashing or steady illumination; Uncontrollable deceleration to 5–30 mph despite flooring accelerator; Engine running but no propulsion; RPMs increase with no corresponding speed gain; Stuttering or bucking before power loss
Codes mentioned: P0xxx (code clears after restart or no code stored despite MIL illumination), B17 (service engine light, one case noted)
Repairs/costs cited: Acura TSB 20-053 (issued April 2021) addresses this with intercooler replacement; owners report it does not resolve the issue. One owner cited head gasket replacement at $6,500 (performed twice, second failure occurred 5–6 months later). Dealers frequently cannot duplicate or diagnose the fault. Moisture entering turbocharger cited by one dealer as cause but no preventive solution offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura Technical Service Bulletin 20-053 (intercooler replacement); Acura recall 23V-858 for unspecified part replacement (active since December 2023, dealership parts shortages reported). Dealers report Acura is aware of the problem; one source stated Acura has known since 2016. No comprehensive recall issued despite 40+ reported complaints.
Transmission hesitation / slipping sensation
Intermittent hesitation or slipping sensation when accelerating from a complete stop, as if transmission cannot find first gear before jumping into engagement. Distinct from power-loss limp mode but described as loss of responsiveness during low-speed acceleration.
When: Reported to start immediately after purchase on vehicles with as few as 1,840 miles. Intermittent but becomes progressively worse.
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation or slipping sensation from complete stop; Delayed response when pulling onto streets or freeways from traffic light; Transmission feels as if it cannot find first gear, then jumps
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; dealers refuse to acknowledge the problem without a manufacturer recall or TSB. Computer diagnostics run by dealers show no fault codes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs issued for this failure mode as of complaint dates. Dealers state manufacturer has not posted any vehicle problems or recalls.
Head gasket failure
Engine bucking and loss of power attributed to head gasket failure. One owner reported replacement at $6,500; same failure recurred 5–6 months after repair.
When: Reported at 18,986 and higher mileages; one case noted engine juddering at 92,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Bucking under heavy acceleration; Loss of all power; Check engine light flashing; Engine juddering at 2k rpm around 60 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket replacement at $6,500; second failure occurred after 5–6 months. Cylinder 4 head gasket leak identified in one case, also requiring replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: American Honda informed owner repair not covered under warranty. Fuel pump recall part unavailable for extended period.
Synthesized from 32 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 2020 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 2020 Acura RDX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 32 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 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 5,300 and 12,000 miles, with the median around 6,935. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,300; a quarter make it past 12,000. 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/2020/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.