Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
A recent Acura RDX review received by the National Highway Traffic Safety Agency (NHTSA) highlights a serious problem with these vehicles.
Specifically, the review says that when a driver attempts to accelerate, the engine begins to malfunction, suddenly losing all power. This condition is known as “limp mode,” and is usually accompanied by the “check engine” light illuminating. One complaint sent to the NHTSA noted this happening when the driver attempted to pass another vehicle, nearly causing a potentially devastating accident.
Ironically, the NHSTA gave the Acura RDX a five-star rating for safety in crash tests. This problem was not apparent in those tests, but since that time, the NHTSA has received will over 70 complaints — and owners are starting to demand that the manufacturer issue a recall for all affected vehicles. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported in connection with this defect — yet.
Specific Incidents
The NHTSA has received no fewer than 20 complaints late model about Acura vehicles that abruptly lose all power when the driver attempts to accelerate – typically, while attempting to pass another vehicle. Three of these stories highlight the dangers of this condition.
The first Acura RDX review submission comes from a New Jersey man who was attempting to pass a slow-moving dump truck on Route 539, a two-lane highway through a rural part of the Garden State. He had completed the pass and had pulled in front of the truck when the engine abruptly lost power and the check engine light began flashing. Unable to go faster than 20 miles per hour, the driver was fortunately able to pull over on to the shoulder before he was struck from behind. The problem cleared up after shutting the motor down and restarting.
The second complaint submitted to the NHTSA was from an owner who experienced the problem four times. Twice, the driver was attempting to merge on to the freeway, and the other two incidents occurred while attempting to pass slower vehicles. A third complaint also noted an abrupt power loss when attempting to pass.
Acura Dealers’ Response
Generally, owners and lessees report Acura dealers have refused to address the problem, denying that it’s happening. Mechanics claim they are unable to replicate the problem under garage conditions. One owner wrote, “Acura has repeatedly denied the existence and told me I was the only one experiencing this issue. The approximately 20 complaints filed with the NHTSA indicate otherwise.”
Why is it Happening?
The exact cause of the problem is not altogether clear. According to Honda, parent company of Acura, it may be due to sodium particles that is found in some brands of gasoline. This affects the fuel pump, impeding the flow of fuel. However, Honda also noted that the problem has been occurring primarily during warmer months and in southern regions of the country – so this explanation fails to account for such incidents that have occurred in the late fall and winter months. Furthermore, although Honda has recalled affected vehicles, the recall list does not include the models that have been the subject of many an Acura RDX review.
65 thoughts onAcura RDX Review: Engine Loses Power While Accelerating
This just happened to me on 7/31/2020 while trying to pass a vehicle, and created a dangerous driving situation in the rain. My family and I sat on the side of the road and turned the vehicle off for 5 minutes before the problem cleared. This happened in a 2020 RDX Aspec that I leased two months ago.
I’ve expereinced the same exact thing as well yesterday (8/25/2020) after passing another driver. It was all I could do to get out of the middle of the interestction to a safe spot. Turned vehicle off and restarted which seemed to solve it.
Just had this happen in the rain while passing uphill. Large truck behind me and vehicle went limp with check engine light. Will take to dealer but suspect same response as others
Merging onto the Garden State parkway on 7/10/2020 my 2020 Acura RDX lost engine power creating a hazardous driving situation. I was able to get to the side of the road and limped to the next exit, barley 5 mph. Engine light would flash except while stopped and engine idling. I Shut the vehicle down and waited about 30-40 minutes. Started it up after viewing other like posts about loss of power for RDX. After start up it was like it never happened. Vehicle drove normal. I feel this is a software bug with the engines software/computer. The weather had been wet all day, high humidity and was misting rain when the car lost all power. Took to the dealer just to document the issue today. Will hear tomorrow what they say but I am sure it was a waste of time taking to dealer.
I was at a light today, started to accelerate and heard a weird noise. Rdx was slow to accelerate and all kind of lights started coming on. Having it towed to dealer tomorrow. Not very happy and will be turning in this lease when term is over.
I have RDX 2020 and the same happened to me on 7/31/2020. Like others, it happened during a rainy day. I took the car to the dealer and they said they got 2 more similar cases from the same place I live. They suggested me to change the gas station and use 93 octane fuel for sometime.
This happened to me yesterday on my way home from work around 5pm. Luckily i was at a stop light and asI began to accelerate, it went completely limp; i had to floor it to even barely reach 15mph to pull out of the intersection and over. Once i restarted my car, the issue went away.
This happened to me today in a 2020 loaner RDX with 300 MILES on it…. A true death trap of a vehicle. I turned on to a main highway and began accelerating when all of a sudden the car went limp. It was not responsive to pressing the accelerator. The engine light began flashing, so I pulled over to the side of the road. When I put the car in park, the engine light turned off. I engaged it back into drive, and when I went to take off there was absolutely no power.
My wife, five year old son, and one year old daughter were in the car when it happened and cars are now flying by. It was truly a terrifying experience.
Acura of Baton Rouge had the vehicle towed back to the dealer. Fortunately for me, it was a loaner car. My vehicle was being serviced and prior to this happening we were commenting about how much we liked the new body style and the upgrades in the car.
It’s safe to say, we will NEVER purchase one of these. A quick google search will inform the public that this is apparently a widely known problem that Acura is aware of. It needs to be rectified before someone loses their life. Very disappointed in a brand that we have had so much loyalty to.
happened to me today, 5/18/20, at 330am on i94 while passing 2 vehicles. I was in the left lane, they were in the right lane. As I passed, I lost suddenly acceleration without any indication of a problem and the check engine light began to flash. I wound up pulling off to the right shoulder, shut the car off and restarted it with no further issues.
I just experienced this problem today
My 2019 Acura RDX lost all engine power while trying to pass a truck on a 2 lane state Route 103 North highway in Vermont in late March 2020. It happened when I accelerated at the moment I expected the turbo to kick in. Lost propulsion and coasted to side of the with engine idling. Lights blinking on dash and car had put itself into creep mode. Had to have car towed 130 miles to dealer. Very scary and dangerous episode.
Please add me