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 ↗2021 Acura RDX engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2021 Acura RDX have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the engine 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 →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 RDX | 5 |
| 2018 RDX | 3 |
| 2019 RDX | 49 |
| 2020 RDX | 32 |
| 2021 RDX (this page) | 5 |
| 2023 RDX | 3 |
What stands out
Among the 7 model years of Acura RDX in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 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.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2021 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 2021 Acura RDX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 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?
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 $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/2021/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.