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2009 Acura RDX problems

The most common problem on the 2009 Acura RDX is airbags. It has fewer complaints than a typical RDX model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
90/100
Owner complaints
15
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
55
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19mpg

The worst 2009 Acura RDX problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    10
  • Brakes
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    10
  • Brakes
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 2

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported March 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Risk
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

Recall number 19V182000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported February 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

Recall number 16V061000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2009 Acura RDX

Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Acura RDX 55

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 55 bulletins for the 2009 Acura RDX

2009 Acura RDX crash test ratings

Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
Acura RDX 4-DR. w/SABPhrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.4

2009 Acura RDX fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.3L 4‑cyl4WD172219

What 2009 Acura RDX owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 23, 2025 · Airbags · NM · crash

I was involved in an accident and upon impact the airbags didn’t deploy although there was a chemical smell that occurred and the check airbag light comes on intermittently. Also driver seatbelt locked up and does not retract out.

Filed Jan 14, 2018 · Brakes, Wheels · 79,000 miles · CT

An error message always comes on for "the brake system" & "tire pressure sensors". They become problematic when the temp outside drops to 20 and below. Living in connecticut during the winter time a lot of our friends and family members recognized this issue with their acura rdx's and mdx's. As soon as you turn the vehicle on the error messages engage and the brake pedal feels different from the normal. As soon as the car warms up or the outside temp goes up higher than 30 degrees it goes away. And while driving the vehicle took longer to stop and I had to stomp on the brake pedal hard (going 20mph)

Filed Mar 22, 2017 · Airbags · OK

Takata recall

Filed Feb 13, 2017 · Airbags · IL

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 acura rdx. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags). The part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Oct 18, 2016 · Airbags · NY

"takata recall" nothing has happened and that is the problem. I got the recall notice in february 2016 and I just checked and the fix is still not available. I am patient but 9 months seems like too long to have to wait to have a dangerous airbag corrected.

Filed Jun 17, 2016 · Airbags · NC

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 acura rdx. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 17, 2016 · Airbags · NC

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 acura rdx. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 15, 2016 · Airbags · CA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 acura rdx. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Jun 1, 2016 · Airbags · MA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 acura rdx. The contact received a notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed May 3, 2016 · Airbags · NY

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 acura rdx. The contact stated that the recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags) was received in february of 2016. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be given. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Compare the 2009 Acura RDX

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Other model years

20072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

Questions about the 2009 Acura RDX

Is the 2009 Acura RDX reliable?

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2009 Acura RDX, fewer than a typical RDX model year.

What is the 2009 Acura RDX year score?

The 2009 Acura RDX scores 90 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Acura RDX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Acura RDX?

Airbags, with 10 complaints. Next is brakes (2).

How many recalls does the 2009 Acura RDX have?

2 recalls, covering air bags.

Is the 2009 Acura RDX safe in a crash?

The 2009 Acura RDX was crash tested, but no overall score was published. Partial scores: rollover 4 out of 5.

Was there a recall on the 2009 Acura RDX airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 19V182000, 16V061000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Acura RDX have bad airbags?

The Acura RDX model years with the most airbags complaints are 2014 (41 complaints), 2013 (36 complaints) and 2015 (33 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2009 Acura RDX get?

Official estimates for the 2009 Acura RDX range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, 4WD) gets 17 city and 22 highway.

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