What 161 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Acura RDX

The headlight housings on this generation of 2013 Acura MDXs completely fail due to a design flaw that causes the housing to overheat and dim the lights to a dangerous level. At night, you would be safer if you were driving with flashlights taped to the hood of the vehicle. I’m sure this has caused numerous wrecks for 2013-2015 MDX owners as it is a widely reported issue that needs to be fixed asap before more people perish. Please do something about this as it is not just a select few lemons but it is nearly every 2013 Acura MDX out there with the same OEM housings. Lives could depend on fixing this issue. Please hear this out.

NHTSA ODI 11742536

I have a code on my Acura regarding the driver side airbag. The code is 11-10, covered under service bulletin: 18-020, noting defects in the driver side air bag module. I brought my vehicle in to Hall Acura in November 2025 where this was officially diagnosed and a order was placed for a part on back order (Part Number: 77810-tx4-a40za). To this date, the part continues to be on "critical back order". I have escalated this to Honda Corporation and opened up a case with their office (Case Number: XXX). I receive weekly emails stating that they are working on this but the part is still on critical back order. I have pushed to escalate this further and they state this is all that can be done. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11735888

On 3/26/2026 a symbol of an engine appeared on my dash. Then several minutes later the car began running very rough and numerous warnings signs came on including Check Engine, Check AWD System, Check Power Steering System, Check Uphill Assist system and others. I took the car to my mechanic this morning and after checking various systems he determined the Cylinder Deactivation system was not performing properly. He replaced the spark plug for cylinder 3 and confirmed the ignition coil is functioning properly. He was not able to correct the problem and said I should contact the dealer as he thought Honda had issued an extended recall on the Acura 2013 RDXs because of this problem. He said this malfunction has caused my AWD system to be disabled. I called the dealer and they said there was no recall for this issue. I have an appointment on 3/31 to have them check it out. My car only has 83,635 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI 11727590

The headlights do not produce enough light to see the road. Every time the car is driven at night it is extremely dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11720747

Headlights are very dim due to degradation of the reflective projection surface. Internet searches indicate this is a common problem for the 2013-2015 Acura RDXs. The only solution is to replace the entire headlight assembly.

NHTSA ODI 11718495

Low beam headlight projector reflectors deteriorate making the low beam headlights unusable for safe driving. Entire assembly has to be replaced to remedy. Extremely common in this generation of Acura RDX based on internet searches.

NHTSA ODI 11716792

2013 ACURA RDX. HEAD LIGHTS HAVE DIMMED WHERE ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HAD THE WHOLE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLIES REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP 11 months ago FOR $4,000. Still have same problem with new ones

NHTSA ODI 11715164

The low beam headlights lights on my 2013 Acura RDX are very dim, and replacing the bulbs does not make any difference. I have read multiple reports that this is a common problem where the reflective material inside the projector style housing breaks down over time, and that the only fix is to replace the entire headlight assembly on both sides. Due to the poor lighting, I have had several near misses with other cars and obstacles that have been hard to see. Compared to other vehicles I have driven over by lifetime, this car really does has a significant safety problem. Headlight assemblies should not degrade this quickly, and replacing them is an expensive repair. I believe that NHTSA should investigate this issue for a potential recall, as not being able to see at night is a major safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11702801

My low beam headlights have diminished in their effectiveness / intensity over time such that I fear driving at night due to possible danger of an accident. If I do have to drive at night, I have to use my high beams...which is also totally unacceptable, and illegal in post places. I have taken the car to the Acura dealership to explain the problem and determine the proper fix. I felt like this should be covered under warranty, since this is a safety issue, no different than safety belts, air bags, etc. The Acura dealership tested the lights and acknowledged the problem, but stated there was no warranty coverage for the issue. The determined fix was to replace both headlight assemblies for a cost of approximately $2500. This is totally unacceptable in my opinion, given this a definite safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11685529

The contact owns a 2013 Acura RDX. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the headlights were dim, causing the visibility to become impaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with failed delaminated headlight housings. The contact was informed that the headlight housings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. In addition, the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ODI 11671892

Have replaced low beam headlight bulbs multiple times within weeks/months of each time for months now. Low beam is so dim that vehicle is unsafe to drive at night without turning on high beams. Something is more wrong than just the bulb. Taken to repair shop each time. Changing bulbs works for a few days then no light happens again. What do I do???

NHTSA ODI 11659298

Low beam headlights have begun to dim so much that they are unsafe and ineffective at night. I understand that there may be a reflector problem with the headlights.

NHTSA ODI 11656778

Headlights have grown dim. The bulbs have been replaced multiple times to find a bright enough bulb, to no avail. Approximate visual distance at night in unlit areas is less than 25'. This is a safety hazard because this does not allow enough time to avoid impacts.

NHTSA ODI 11656214

Low beam headlights are dangerously dim due to the oem headlightbulbs burning the reflector bowls in the projector headlights this is a problem that's been complained about by many many people.

NHTSA ODI 11644264

The headlights have gotten progressively and dangerously dimmer over time and it is a known issue according to a local dealer. It's dangerous to drive at night but cost-prohibitive to fix.

NHTSA ODI 11644156

Three different times, when accelerating, my car looses all power, will not accelerate, looses power steering, and different warning lights flash, such as check AVS system, check ABS system, and check charging system. I navigate to the side of the road and turn it off and on again and

NHTSA ODI 11636798

My car is undriveable at night due to headlights malfunctioning. They are so dim they barely illuminate a foot in front of the car.

NHTSA ODI 11634426

Front low beam headlights are dangerously dim.

NHTSA ODI 11633191

Low beam headlight internal reflectors have degraded and light have become very dim. Dangerous to drive at night or in bad weather. aThe car cannot be operated at night. Dealer replacement is $3,000, making the car value negative. The car otherwise is drivable but this defect makes the car unsuitable for use.

NHTSA ODI 11632996

In the headlight assembly the main headlight bowls are deteriorated/defective. The amount of light that the regular low beams or high beams provide at night is insufficient. This makes driving at night with the factory assembly lights highly dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11632494

Vehicle headlights on my 2013 Acura RDX Base Model have become progressively dimmer over time to the point that the vehicle is becoming unsafe/undriveable at night and in poor weather. Contacted my local dealer. They acknowledged that this was a known issue. Said the only remedy was to replace the entire headlight unit on both driver and passenger sides. Quoted me $913.99 per unit with labor cost of $305 and tax it would come over $2344 for this "fix".

NHTSA ODI 11630641

Headlights failed. Replaced light bulbs several times. The ballasts are not fogged but light is all diffracted. Very unsafe to drive. I have been dealing with the issues for years. I took the car to the dealer and their solution was aftermarket lights!

NHTSA ODI 11626575

I purchased the car new and have maintained the vehicle in very condition. What happened is the headlights have gradually become dim as time passed, now they are not effective, creating an unsafe driving condition at night. I spoke with the dealer about this problem and I was informed that this is a common problem for the 2013 Acura RDX. There were no warning lights or maintenance tasks that would prevent this problem. The vehicle is available for inspection.

NHTSA ODI 11626091

My 2013 Acura RDX headlights are so dim and it is very dangerous for me to drive at night. This is worse when raining or street lights aren't available. It seems to be a known issue that these cars are equipped with unsafe low-beam headlights that gradually dim over time. This is a huge safety risk, even more so for families with young kids. Why were these not raised earlier and why are these cars not recalled for the fix? Please take necessary and immediate action so lives are not lost over this. Thank you very much for your time and consideration of this matter.

NHTSA ODI 11624871

After 10 years, the low beam headlights have become very dim to the point that it’s difficult and unsafe for myself and other drivers for me to drive this car at night, especially in the fog or rain. Apparently this won’t be fixed by simply replacing the bulbs and will be a costly repair at no fault of the owners. I agree with many others that this needs to be a recall fix.

NHTSA ODI 11623380