2012 Acura RDX Reliability
The 2012 Acura RDX has 15 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Compared with other RDX model years, it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the RDX's typical year, while the 2014 drew 244 complaints.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
15
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
0
Complaints citing a crash
0
Complaints citing a fire
2012 Acura RDX complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 model year, filed between 2012 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 6 | 40% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 13% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 13% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 2 | 13% |
| Steering | 2 | 13% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 7% |
| Engine & cooling | 1 | 7% |
| Speed control / throttle | 1 | 7% |
2012 Acura RDX recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2012 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16V061000 | Feb 3, 2016 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012… |
| 19V182000 | Mar 6, 2019 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic,… |
How the 2012 compares with nearby RDX years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year RDX analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 22 | 2 | Air bags | Better year |
| 2011 | 16 | 2 | Air bags | Better year |
| 2012 (this page) | 15 | 2 | Air bags | Better year |
| 2013 | 162 | 3 | Exterior lighting | Caution |
| 2014 | 244 | 3 | Exterior lighting | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2012 Acura RDX
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2012 Acura RDX can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2012 Acura RDX reliability FAQ
Is the 2012 Acura RDX reliable?
The 2012 Acura RDX has 15 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Compared with other RDX model years, it rates as one of the better years: complaints run below the RDX's typical year, while the 2014 drew 244 complaints.
What are the most common 2012 Acura RDX problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Acura RDX are air bags (6), electrical system (2), unknown or other (2), powertrain / transmission (2). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2012 Acura RDX have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 Acura RDX, including 16V061000 (air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module) and 19V182000 (air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2012 Acura RDX compare with the 2011 and 2013 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2011 has 16 complaints and 2 recalls (better year); the 2013 has 162 complaints and 3 recalls (caution). The 2012 has 15 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2012 Acura RDX?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Acura RDX research
Other Acura RDX model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2012 RDX, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.