FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
2012 Acura RDX 2WD
The 2012 Acura RDX 2WD has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 15 owner complaints, and gets about 21 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2012 Acura RDX 2WD at a glance
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2.3L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2.3 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S5)
- Body
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Fuel
- Premium
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 11, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
2 openAir Bags
06/03/2019
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.
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.
Air Bags
03/02/2016
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.
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.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 11, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
15 filed- 6
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. THE DRIVER AIR BAG WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED. WHEN I QUESTIONED WHY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS NOT BEING REPLACED ALSO. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NOT BEING RECALLED. I ASKED IF IT WAS A TAKATA AIR BAG. DEALERSHIP W
- 2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE BRAKES TO LOCK AND CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR OTHERS AND THE PERSON DRIVING THE CAR. ONCE THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN THE CAR WILL NEED TO BE PUT IN PARK, TURNED OFF AND COMPLET
- 2
STEERING
WITHIN THE FIRST 2 YEARS AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOTICED MY RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING. THE ACURA DEALER REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION UNDER WARRANTY 28,782.00 MMI MAY 16, 2014. I WAS EXPERIENCING VIBRATION ESPECIALLY AT SPEEDS OF 60-65. I
- 1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Acura RDX. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 148,000. However, following an oil cha
- 1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AMBOS FOCOS DELANTEROS SE OBEDECEN, LAS FECHAS EXACTAS CUANDO LO LLEV AL DEALER PARA GARANTA DE LOS FOCOS NO LA RECUERDO, PERO FUI EN VARIAS OCASIONES. ME INFORMARON QUE LA ESPECIFICACIN DEL FABRICANTE ERAN FOCOS AL AIRE, Y QUE POR ESO SE
- 1
POWER TRAIN
I NOTICED VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AS IF I HAD FLAT TIRES, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN I WAS ACCELERATING. AFTER A WEEK I HAD MY SUV CHECKED AT THE GARAGE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT AND LEFT LINE AXLE ASSEMBLIES WHICH WAS QUITE EXPENSIV
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 11, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- —
- Frontal
- —
- Side
- —
- Rollover
- ★★★★☆
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 11, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 21 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 19 / 24
- Est. fuel / yr
- $3,650
- CO₂ / mi
- 423 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 11, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the air bags). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the air bags
Owners report problems with the air bags more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2012 Acura RDX 2WD? +
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2012 Acura RDX 2WD, including the air bags. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Acura RDX 2WD get? +
The EPA rates the 2012 Acura RDX 2WD at 21 mpg combined (19 city / 24 highway), about $3,650 a year in fuel.
What do owners complain about on the 2012 Acura RDX 2WD? +
Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Acura RDX 2WD. The most-reported area is air bags.
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