The Lemon Index
20082010Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 10,153 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 4 complaints in its first 3 years.
4 owner complaints, first 3 years 19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V182000 (airbags) and 16V061000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Acura's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 4 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Transmission problems in every Acura RDX year →
Check engine light on? Codes owners of the Acura RDX (2007–2011) name most: P2263 Turbo/Super Charger Boost System Performance. Look up any code →
In owners' words
2009 Acura RDX has uncontrollable acceleration problem.
2009 Acura RDX owner · NHTSA complaint 10291729
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 4.4M views · 2007–2012 Acura RDX
Prices people quote
- Price when new$34,3205 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring204K views
Acura RDX Reset Oil Light Maintenance 2007-2010 how toEmerszon TV · 193K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service151K views
How to reset oil life % in 2007-2012 Acura RDXFH Motorsports · 84K views · 4 videos - Steering & suspension52K views
Acura RDX / Honda CRV Front Strut Replacement - 2007 - 2012Hardly Moving Productions · 25K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter51K views
2010 Acura RDX MDX A/C clutch relay problemmicahdavidian · 51K views
Show 3 more
- Windows, doors & mirrors44K views
2007 Acura RDX Door Panel Removal and Speaker Replacementclintme · 40K views · 2 videos - Cooling system34K views
2007-2013 Acura RDX Coolant LeakAcura n Honda How To · 13K views · 4 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils27K views
How To Replace Spark Plugs On Acura RDX 2.3 L turbo 2007-2012 - Simple & EasyMotorCarNut · 25K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
2011 Acura RDX vs Toyota 4Runner vs Range Land Rover LR4 review Mashup ReviewThe Fast Lane Car · 225K views
2009 Acura RDX Review, Walkaround, Exhaust, & Test DriveRedline Reviews · 170K views
2008 Acura RDX Review - Kelley Blue BookKelley Blue Book · 133K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2009 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Recalls 2
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containi.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl.
Every Acura RDX year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 15 Acura RDX years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-rdx/?y=2009" title="Acura RDX reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/acura-rdx/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Acura RDX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Acura RDX reliable?
We can't score it: only 10,153 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Acura RDX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (25%), brakes (25%) and transmission & drivetrain (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Acura RDX have?
2 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Acura RDX get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Acura RDX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Acura RDX cost in fuel a year?
About $4,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Acura RDX have?
2.3L 4-cyl.
What Acura RDX year is better than the 2009?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2018 drew the fewest (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works