Makes›Acura›RDX›2013

2013 Acura RDX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

Acura RDX
Pictured: 2018 Acura RDX in Lunar Silver Metallic, front left. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD/Tech Package
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 20 city / 28 hwy
Length
183.5 in
Curb weight
3,871 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Many owner complaints149 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 16 for similar models — most often about the exterior lighting.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 Acura RDX is a small SUV offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 184 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,871 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 28 highway), 0% better than the 2013 small SUV average of 23 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 149 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the exterior lighting.

What changed for 2013

  • New body dimensions: 1.6 in longer, wheelbase +1.2 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
  • Engine added: 3.5L 6-cyl
  • Engine dropped: 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
  • Best combined MPG up from 21 to 23

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 RDX →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD/Tech Package183.5 in73.6 in–105.5 in63 / 63.4 in3,871 lb59/41

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RDX 2WD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 230%$3,550387
RDX 4WD3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22+3%$3,750401
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23 MPG2013 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Acura RDX.

Similar 2013 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 Acura RDX (this car)23 MPGNot rated3
2013 Mercedes-Benz G-Class13 MPGNot rated0
2013 Porsche Cayenne23 MPGNot rated3
2013 BMW X522 MPGNot rated7
2013 BMW X324 MPGNot rated7
2013 Lexus RX29 MPGNot rated1
2013 Volvo XC9019 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (3)

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.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Apr 15, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V143000 · 204,169 vehicles

Problem
Honda is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 CR-V, Odyssey, and model year 2013 Acura RDX vehicles. During sub-freezing temperatures, the brake-shift interlock blocking mechanism may become slow and allow the gear selector to be moved from the Park position without pressing the brake pedal. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
If the gear selector is moved from the park position without pressing the brake pedal it can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated brake shift interlock blocking mechanism free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's campaign recall numbers are S96, S97, and S98.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 Acura RDX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

149Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
67,400 miTypical mileage at failure
Exterior Lighting84
Air Bags36
Visibility/Wiper7
Unknown Or Other6
Suspension5
Power Train4
Exterior Lighting › Headlights4
Electrical System3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/10: 123/11: 223/12: 124/01: 224/02: 324/03: 224/04: 124/05: 424/08: 224/10: 124/11: 424/12: 425/01: 225/02: 225/04: 225/05: 125/07: 125/09: 125/12: 126/02: 426/03: 126/05: 126/06: 126/07: 123/1024/0124/0424/1025/0125/0525/1226/05max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 Acura RDX buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Exterior Lighting — 84 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  3. Air Bags — 36 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  4. Visibility/Wiper — 7 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 67,400 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Acura RDX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other RDX years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 RDX23187.8 inNot rated01
2025 RDX23187.8 in★★★★★130
2024 RDX23187.8 in★★★★★212
2023 RDX24187.8 in★★★★★224
2022 RDX24187.8 in★★★★★231
2021 RDX24186.6 in★★★★★3117
2020 RDX24186.6 in★★★★★5349
2019 RDX24186.6 in★★★★★5440
2018 RDX23183.5 in★★★★★178
2017 RDX23183.5 in★★★★★180
2016 RDX23183.5 in★★★★★241
2015 RDX23183.5 in★★★★★3414

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Acura. How we calculate this →