DecodedCars2012 Acura RDX
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV AWD /Tech Package
- Engines
- 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 19 city / 24 hwy
- Length
- 181.9 in
- Curb weight
- 3,946 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints13 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 39 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 12 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Acura RDX is a SUV - offered with a 2.3L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 182 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,946 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (19 city / 24 highway), 0% better than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,900 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 RDX — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 RDX →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD /Tech Package | 181.9 in | 73.6 in | 65.4 in | 104.3 in | 62.2 / 62.6 in | 3,946 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RDX 2WD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 24 / 21 | 0% | $3,900 | 423 |
| RDX 4WD | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | 0% | $4,350 | 468 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Acura RDX.
Similar 2012 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Acura RDX (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 BMW X3 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 Lexus RX | 29 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Volvo XC90 | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Audi Q5 | 22 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2012 Volvo XC60 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Acura MDX | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 6, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V182000 · 1,101,534 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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 › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 3, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V061000 · 2,232,187 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2012 Acura RDX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Acura RDX buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 6 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Steering — 2 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Power Train — 2 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 50,100 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Acura RDX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other RDX years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 RDX | 23 | 187.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 RDX | 23 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 30 |
| 2024 RDX | 23 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 12 |
| 2023 RDX | 24 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 24 |
| 2022 RDX | 24 | 187.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 31 |
| 2021 RDX | 24 | 186.6 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 117 |
| 2020 RDX | 24 | 186.6 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 349 |
| 2019 RDX | 24 | 186.6 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 440 |
| 2018 RDX | 23 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 78 |
| 2017 RDX | 23 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 80 |
| 2016 RDX | 23 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 41 |
| 2015 RDX | 23 | 183.5 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 414 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Acura. How we calculate this →