On or about XXX, my 2021 Acura RDX, with approximately 121,078 miles, suddenly displayed multiple dashboard warning lights and system-failure messages while I was driving. These included the check-engine light, Road Departure Mitigation System Problem, steering, stability-control, braking-assistance and other driver-assistance warnings. Earlier, the tire-pressure monitoring system had also indicated a malfunction even though the tire pressures were correct. The vehicle initially continued to drive and the conventional brakes appeared to function normally. However, it then began hesitating when I attempted to accelerate. The vehicle would eventually gain speed, but the initial hesitation created a serious safety concern when pulling into traffic or attempting to accelerate. The check-engine light remained solid while the vehicle was stopped but flashed whenever I began driving and accelerating again. No crash, fire or injury occurred. The vehicle had undergone a full diagnostic inspection approximately two weeks earlier, and I was informed that everything checked out properly. There were no known drivability problems before this incident, and the vehicle has been maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. The vehicle was subsequently inspected by Elite Acura, an authorized Acura dealership in [XXX]. The dealership confirmed a head-gasket failure and a problem with the rear differential left-side actuator. The dealer recommended replacing the head gasket, four spark plugs, coolant, oil and filter, as well as replacing the rear differential left-side actuator and changing the differential fluid. The estimated head-gasket repair was $5,391.46, and the estimated rear differential actuator and fluid service was $813.85. The dealer also recommended rear brake pads and rotors. The head-gasket and rear differential actuator problems were confirmed by the authorized Acura dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Acura RDX warning lights comes on
19 of the 2,191 owner complaints about the Acura RDX describe multiple warning lights, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 19
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical mileage
- 11,600
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 5Check engine light 5Won't shift 3Lane assist 3Fuel pump 3Stalling 2Power steering loss 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P0741 1P0306 1P0304 1
What owners say
Vehicle: 2019 Acura RDX (Technology Package) I am reporting a serious safety issue involving sudden loss of engine power while driving. On March 14, 2026, I filled my gas tank before traveling approximately 1.5 hours out of town. The vehicle operated normally that day. The following morning, during snowy and icy conditions, while accelerating in traffic, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard (“Christmas tree” effect), and the steering became very stiff, making it difficult to safely maneuver the vehicle out of traffic. I was able to restart the vehicle, but warning lights remained on. The next day, while driving on the highway under normal conditions, the same issue occurred again. While accelerating, the vehicle suddenly lost power and stalled in traffic, creating a dangerous situation. In response, the fuel pump inside the gas tank was replaced; however, the problem persists. The vehicle continues to display warning lights and still loses power when accelerating. I contacted an Acura dealership after seeing reports of a fuel pump recall for similar vehicles, but I was told my VIN was not included. Despite this, the symptoms match known fuel pump-related issues. This defect poses a serious safety risk, especially when driving at highway speeds or in traffic, as sudden loss of power and steering assist can lead to a crash. No injuries have occurred yet, but the issue is ongoing and unresolved. I am requesting investigation into this issue as a potential safety defect.
When I go to accelerate to pass another vehicle car completely shuts down stops running and all warning lights come on. Car is powerless in middle of making a pass which is very concerning have to coast to side of road putting me a perilous situation hoping I don't get hit head on before I can get off the road. Took car to dealer they said bad turbo so change turbo. Two weeks after repair started to pass another car and it did it again exactly like first time. Car is currently at dealer waiting on diagnosis. I feel like this is big safety issue and I don't feel safe driving car that constantly loses power when passing someone.
Locked Acura RDX alarm goes off randomly for no reason. When the alarm is turned off all the lights on the dash are flashing on and off and ticking. The most recent is 8/14/25. But has happened on several occasions especially if locked with the key fob or the lock on exterior of door. On 8/14/2025 it was lock by the inside door lock.
My car alarm starting going off at random throughout the night, last night and day today. The car also started flickering all the dashboard lights while the car was turned off completely. This seems like it’s the keyless access unit. I don’t know how the battery is not dead yet but seems like it will be tomorrow. The car has not been diagnosed by a dealership or independent service center but I’m seeing many people say they’ve had this same issue happen to them with the same year, make and model. There was no warning lights or symptoms instead I was woke up in the middle of the night to my car alarm going off. After turning the alarm off it happened again after about 5 minutes. My neighbor was outside and told me that it had actually been going off all night. I am now the villain of the neighborhood. This will definitely kill my battery as I’m watching and hearing electrical components turning on when I haven’t touched the key fob or door.
While driving around a curve with the LKAS system engaged the steering wheel locked up causing me to move into the next lane. Many warning lights came on, e.g., Stop brake system malfunction. LKAS malfunction etc. My safety was compromised and I had to pull over and shut the car off. My car is currently at the dealer. They said the power steering mechanism malfunctioned and needs replacing. They had to order the parts.
As I was navigating a turn onto a highway on-ramp, the vehicle unexpectedly decelerated or attempted to brake autonomously, accompanied by a sudden loss of power steering assist. This created a hazardous situation, nearly causing a collision with the guardrail. After safely bringing the vehicle to a stop, the dashboard illuminated with numerous warning lights and messages such as: Electric Power Steering System Problem. Steering Assist Not Available. Do Not Drive. Brake System Problem. Brake performance may be reduced. See your dealer. Lane Keeping Assist System Problem. See your dealer. Collision Mitigation Braking System Problem. See your dealer. Road Departure Mitigation System Problem. See your dealer. Low Speed Braking Control Problem. See your dealer. The power steering light and brake system lights came on. This incident occurred on April 12, 2025 and then occurred again on April 20th. The dealer took the vehicle in on May 9th and told me they can not reproduce the problem. This has the potential to cause life threatening injuries or even death.
It was raining and I was sat at a stop light. The brakes started to slip a little no matter how much I pressed then all of a sudden the entire car started shutting down. Engine, Transmission, Power Steering, Lane Keep Assist, Collision warning, all the lights started flashing. The car was put into Limp mode.
[XXX] on [XXX], traveling 70mph on busy highway, blind spot monitoring failed, gear display failed, and check transmission message flashed across display. Had to guide car safety off road and into parking lot. This was first time ever happened. Did not know what was going on or what was happening; safety features like blind spot monitoring (especially after becoming accustomed to) failing all of sudden could have caused a major accident by inadvertently cutting someone off, decrease in speed, etc. Turned vehicle off and all lights disappeared. Had car looked at by Honda Dealership next morning; notified it was a P0741 code and failed torque converter. These systems apparently always go down with this code. Told it was associated with known issue of SB23-029 after they consulted with a local Acura dealership. They were told Acura sees this all the time and a torque converter would repair issues I had. Stuck with almost $5k repair bill for a global issue because out of mileage extended warranty. Spoke with Honda representative Naomi (claim#[XXX]) advised of situation, was asked to provide a bunch of personal information not containing to claim over nearly two weeks, and then told I was denied assistance because system wouldn't take, I was not original owner, and out of mileage. This should not be a SB; THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! I'm seeking legal representation and looking at options to recover losses from Honda negligence. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2019 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the instrument cluster showed several warning lights. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled, and the contact was able to pull off the roadway. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle, and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V858000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Acura RDX warning lights
Why does the warning lights come on in the Acura RDX?
Owners who report it most often also describe sudden loss of power, check engine light and stuck in gear or won't shift, and the codes they mention most are P0741, P0306 and P0304.
Which Acura RDX years have multiple warning lights problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (6 complaints), 2019 (6 complaints) and 2021 (2 complaints).
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