2020 Acura RDX engine problems
51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2020 Acura RDX — 15% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“This is a well known problem that when water gets into the intercooler, the car goes into limp Mode. This happens to my daughter, while driving 85 miles in the fast lane in the highway. Her check engine light started flashing, she was unable to accelerate, and she was scared! She had to pull over…”
filed May 27, 2026
“My 2020 vehicle lost all power when I was attempting to pass an 18-wheel trailer on the expressway. I took it to the dealership which was less than a mile away. They told me I needed a head gasket replacement @$6500. They replaced the HG and it ran great for 5-6 months. Then exact same thing…”
filed Mar 10, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Service Bulletin - Oil leak at the cam chain tensioner inspection cover due to and insufficient sealant adhesion on the inspection cover.
B25-049 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 17, 2025
Engine problems in other RDX years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 RDX | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 RDX | 4 | 19% |
| 2022 RDX | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 RDX | 20 | 18% |
| 2019 RDX | 89 | 21% |
| 2018 RDX | 10 | 13% |
| 2017 RDX | 11 | 15% |
| 2016 RDX | 7 | 18% |
| 2015 RDX | 3 | 1% |
| 2014 RDX | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 RDX | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 RDX | 2 | 9% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2020 Acura RDX
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.