Acura RDX Transmission Problems by Year

Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.

20070no sales data 201355.6 per 100K sold 201412.2 per 100K sold 201523.9 per 100K sold 201647.6 per 100K sold 20171835.1 per 100K sold 2018914.2 per 100K sold 20191320.7 per 100K sold 2020815.2 per 100K sold 202158.8 per 100K sold 20220no sales data 20230no sales data 20240no sales data 20250no sales data

What owners describe

Hard or jerky shifting25%

Delay or hesitation18%

Shudder14%

Slipping9%

Lost power while driving9%

Stuck in gear or limp mode9%

Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.

Transmission and power train recalls

2021 2021
A component in the right or left front driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which could result in driveshaft failure.
2013 2013
During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

In owners' words

The car accelerated rapidly when I came to a stop. When I brought it to, the dealership they found 3 problems with the transmission. First, the transmission had overheated, there were problems in the clutch assembly, and I don't know the third.
2017 Acura RDX owner · NHTSA complaint

Took off from stop vehicle makes a loud thud and doesn't shift into a gear. Revs up but won't shift. Took it to prime acura. The couldn't duplicate the problem. Changed transmission, transfer case and rear differential fluids. One month later it happened again. I turn off engine then restart and the problem is gone. Not sure if it will happen again.
2017 Acura RDX owner · NHTSA complaint

Quick answers

Which Acura RDX years have transmission problems?

By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Acura RDX years are 2017, 2019, 2020.

What are common Acura RDX transmission problems?

Owners most often describe hard or jerky shifting, delay or hesitation, shudder.

Which Acura RDX years have the fewest transmission complaints?

Since 2010, the Acura RDX years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2014, 2015, 2013.

See every problem, not just the transmission: Acura RDX reliability by year. How we count

Acura RDX transmission problems by year.