What 161 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Acura RDX

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

WHEN VEHICLE IS BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR GOING AT A CONSISTENT SPEED THERE IS A VIBRATION. VIBRATION GOES AWAY UPON ACCELERATION. IT DOES THIS AS WELL BETWEEN 4TH & 5TH GEAR. AFTER 55MPH IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. CALLED CREST ACURA AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE "DEACTIVATION OF CYLINDERS AND THAT IS WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO." I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED IT SHOULD NOT DO THAT. TOOK VEHICLE TO CREST ACURA ON 2/13/14 TO ADDRESS THE BLUE TOOTH THAT IS AWFUL AND HAD A TECHNICIAN RIDE WITH ME TO FEEL THE VIBRATION. THE TECH SAID THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE VIBRATION BUT ACURA HAS NOT COME UP WITH A FIX FOR IT. HE STATED HE HAD A CALL INTO ACURA. I WAS TOLD ONCE AGAIN THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE TO DO THAT BY THE SERVICE MANAGER. THE BLUETOOTH COMPLAINT IS: I CAN HEAR FINE WITH IT BUT PEOPLE CANT HEAR ME. THEY REPLACED THE BLUETOOTH MICROPHONE ON 2/21/14 BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE ACURA TO ADDRESS THESE 2 ISSUES AS I AM NOT THE ONLY ACURA RDX CUSTOMER TO HAVE THESE ISSUES. A VEHICLE OF THIS CALIBER SHOULD NOT VIBRATE! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10565823