2015 Acura RDX: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Nov 7, 2026 · Lights · VA

The headlights that came with my car are very dim, which has become a safety issue while driving at night. When I spoke with the dealership, they informed me that this is a known issue with the 2015 RDX; however, there is no factory recall. The dimness is due to the premature burnout of the inside reflective coating in the reflector bowl. The only solution is to purchase a new headlight assembly. I ended up spending $1,500 yesterday to install new headlights. I believe this is a manufacturing defect, and Acura should be responsible for the repair. I expect to be reimbursed by Acura.

Filed Nov 7, 2026 · Lights · NJ

headlights are not illuminating. i took it back to the dealer. they changed my bulbs cost me over $200. and the problem is not fixed. i googled an found im not the only owner who has this problem.

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Lights · TX

Low beam headlights becoming more and more dim over time. The cause is alleged to be degradation of the bulb reflector surface.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Lights · VA

The HID headlights have had the reflector coating fail and the debris has deposited on the back side of the lens where it is inaccessible so can not be removed and has effetely blocked most of the light from exiting the lens. This is a known issue and Honda/Acura has chosen to ignore a fix to the problem. This has been progressively getting worse and new bulbs have not corrected the situation.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Lights, Visibility · IL

I have experienced the following situations while driving: •At night, drivers approaching from the opposite direction signal me to turn on my headlights, even though my headlights are already on. •In rainy conditions, I often have to pull over because I cannot adequately see the road markings. •Recently, while driving on neighborhood streets lined with mature trees, I failed to see a curb and struck it because of the limited visibility. My vehicle's history shows that an Acura dealership replaced the headlight bulbs in 2020, at approximately 77,000 miles, slightly beyond the basic warranty period. Since then, I have replaced both low-beam bulbs again in 2026. My exterior headlight lenses are clear, and replacing both bulbs has not resolved the problem. In October 2026, Acura dealership inspected my vehicle. The dealership documented that both headlight bulbs were operating properly and that the electrical output was proper at 12V. The dealership recommended replacing both headlight assemblies due to cloudiness inside the headlight lenses resulting from moisture/oxidation. The dealership also documented that it could not perform photometric output testing because it lacked the appropriate equipment. The dealership quoted $4,652 for the replacement of headlight assemblies. A vehicle should not develop severely inadequate headlight illumination to the point that it becomes dangerous to drive at night simply because of its age or mileage. As a family vehicle, I regularly drive with my child as a passenger. At this point, this is a severe safety hazard to my family and other people on the road.

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Lights · NC

My 2015 Acura RDX Technology package has been having very dim headlights. I have replaced the bulbs in the car which provided no remedy. I then had the bulbs replaced with LED lights which are more bright than the original lights with no remedy. The danger is to me and the occupants of the vehicle as you can not see more than 5-10 feet in front of the car. In addition, other cars or pedestrians on the road, I can not see them because of these issues will pose a serious safety risk to not my occupants but to others on the road. I have had the car inspected by my mechanic and we tried the different lights to improve the vision of the lights. The car has not provided any errors on the dashboard, or "engine warning light". I would like to lodge this complaint against Honda, Parent Company of Acura, to see if there is a resolution to the problem. This is currently still happening on my vehicle.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Lights · MD

The low beam headlights are very dim at night time. An extreme safety issue. I had to occasionally use the high beam headlamps for proper visibility. I had the bulbs replaced and the brightness did not improve at all. I spoke with the service department at the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and was advised that the headlamp assemblies need replacing. I replaced them at a significant cost.

Filed Sep 27, 2026 · Lights · GA

The deteriorating chrome in the headlight projector is impossible to see. I just miss head on collision. And weeks before. I have purchased all and every headlight bulb and nothing works. Either I’m going to die in a wreck or kill somebody. Due to this ongoing problem with the projector. Please recall 2015 Acura RdX projectors so know one gets hurt.

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Lights · TX

My low beam headlights have not been giving off enough light to see at night. Upon further investigation, I found several complaints regarding the same problem with the year and make of my car. I went yesterday, 9/21/26 and had the bulbs replaced with LED for $190 and the problem still exists. I have to use my high beam headlights to see at night, which is unsafe and illegal. Acura should be held accountable for faulty equipment and not their loyal customers.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Lights · VA

The component that failed is the low-beam headlight system, specifically the internal projector lens housings of both the driver and passenger side headlight assemblies. The reflective chrome coating inside the projector bowls has degraded, delaminated, and burned away due to heat from halogen lightbulbs. This failure severely compromises nighttime driving safety. Because the reflective backing inside the headlights has deteriorated, the low-beam bulbs cannot project light onto the road ahead. This creates a critical lack of forward visibility, preventing the driver from seeing pedestrians, debris, road signs, or upcoming turns in the dark. The problem was physically inspected and confirmed by an Acura dealership certified technician. The technician verified that the halogen bulbs themselves were functioning at full power, but determined that the light output was blocked due to the ruined internal chrome housing. Because of this, the vehicle did not pass the safety inspection and they stated that the only remedy was a complete replacement of both headlight assemblies, with the likelihood that this same issue will occur again. There were no electronic warning lights, dashboard messages, or sudden failures prior to the condition.

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Lights, Visibility · FL

Reflectors on low beam headlights have completely failed. Provides almost no illumination and is very dangerous to drive at night. Changing bulbs, cleaning outer lens makes no difference, the entire housing needs to be replaced.

Filed Aug 1, 2026 · Lights · OH

The HID low beam headlamps are not putting out enough light to drive the vehicle at night. This is dangerous, and I drive home from work at night. The inner low beam lens has degraded and become hazy. This would require the entire headlight housing to be replaced, which are very expensive - about $1,700. I believe this is the same problem that 2015 Acura RLX are experiencing, and recall JN2 was created. I don't understand why the 2015 Acura RDX models weren't included in that recall.