This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The headlights have become too dim to drive safely at night. While researching the problem on-line, I see this is a known problem caused by the reflective material inside the headlamp assembly delaminating or discoloring. Although a known safety problem, Acura has not issued a needed recall to correct the problem.
The headlights are dim. I believe the projector has been burned by the halogen bulb. It is a common issue with the halogen-equipped RDX. It is a safety issue at night. Replacing the bulb does not fix the issue.
At approximately 76k I started noticing that my low beam headlights were very dim at night and was having a hard time seeing the street/lines and signs while driving. The distance I should have been able to see was declining. It continued to decline over time, and now at 80k literally the only light my vehicle is projecting at night is the front running lights, so I cannot see barely more that 5 feet in front of me while driving. I have changed bulbs 3 times, each time to progressively brighter bulbs, most recently to LED, and it has not improved. I've researched this issue, and apparently I am not the only one who has this issue, and it appears the projector housing coating has burned out. This was an issue on the MDX as well, and they had a recall. Why has this not been addressed for the RDX?
- Issaquah, WA, USA
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The HID headlights on this car degrade and fail to produce sufficient light. The reflectors lose their coating. This is a widely known issue [XXX] I have discussed this with my mechanic. The headlights are so dim as to be unsafe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The headlights begin to dim in December 2020. I finally had to replace headlamp unit: replace both leadlight assemblies on 12 March 2021 due to reflective chrome paint has worn/burnt away. Repairs costed $3,546.20. It is 15 October 2023 and the headlights are beginning to dim-out again. The Acura Dealership inspected my vehicle on 14 October 2023 and indicated that the headlamp unit need replacing, again.
HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. At night, it is very hard to see the road unless I put the high beamers on. I've inquired about this with the dealership and shared my concerned on how this is a safety issue and front lights arent bright enough. the response "we are aware, it is common in that year and model but nothing we can do." then proceeded to state it would cost $2k to replace. This clearly is a manufacturing issue with Acura and should have been addressed during quality control or something. At this point, I dont feel comfortable driving my car in the evening and it is unfair. It is a risk and safety concern for me, as the driver, and others on the road. If Acura is aware, why arent they fixing the issue? Definitely not a consumer problem.
The headlights are soo dim that you cannot see anything at all at nighttime unless you drive with the brights on. The headlight bulbs blow out super fast, within a few months, and need to constantly be replaced over and over again. Even brand new headlights you cannot see at night.
I, along with many others according to the internet, am experiencing very low, unsafe visibility at night due to poor low beam performance. New bulbs make no difference and most of the time the vehicle must be operated using the high beams, which is a safety issue for other drivers.
My exterior headlights have dimmed over time and are now DANGEROUSLY low. This is a known issue with 2013 Acura RDXs that cannot be fixed without completely replacing the lights for about $2,000. This is a safety issue.
I, along with many others according to the internet, am experiencing very low, unsafe visibility at night due to poor low beam performance. New bulbs make no difference and most of the time the vehicle must be operated using the high beams, which is a safety issue for other drivers.
Hello, The projectors on the inside of the headlights on my 2013 Acura RDX have failed, creating a VERY dangerous condition in which the low beam headlights are extremely dim. It is to the point in which driving at night is dangerous, and no longer emits enough light to be considered legal by state and federal guidelines. This is occurring on both the driver side and passenger side headlights. The exterior lens on the headlights is completely clear. It would appear that I'm not alone, as a Google search reveals SEVERAL other drivers with 2013/14/15 RDX's that have extremely dim headlights as a result of projector failure. In addition, Honda recalled approximately 14,000 model year 2013 and 2014 Acura ILX's for this exact same issue. Source: https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/statement-by-acura-regarding-headlight-recall-2013-2014-acura-ilx This vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
Low beam headlights are so dim. I cannot drive at night. I-??ve had the bulbs replaced twice and within a month they are Still too dim to safely drive at night, particularly in the rain. I live in the PNW and that means half the year I can-??t safely drive at night. It-??s very dangerous and other drivers tell me they can-??t see me. I-??m over 55 and very concerned, and the cost to replace the headlight assemblies is nearly $2000 which is almost 3x the value of the car! Acura recalled 2013 ILX for same issue why not RDX?
The low beam lamps have become very dim. I replaced with new lamps, but no improvement. After having the bulbs replaced and outside lamp assembly polished I discovered the projector lens itself that the lamps are inserted into have become clouded, similar to having cataracts. On social media I have learned this is a problem shared by many owners. One night after returning home from work I was stopped by a deputy sheriff because he noticed I had my bright lights on too long and that my low beams were too dim. I explained the issue to him and what I was in the process of doing so he let me go. So next day I contacted the dealership and Acura too about this issue. Being denied any satisfaction to remedy the issue I found it necessary to search for and then purchase out of pocket new after market headlight assemblies. The dealership quoted me well over $1,400 to purchase and install. I went to a local auto/body shop and got it done for just under $600. I also purchased fog light assemblies to be added to the vehicle while the headlight assemblies were being installed. Total out of pocket was just over $900.
Headlights are very dim. Because of dimness of my headlights, others car were not able to see me and came in front of me, the lights are so dim that I can-??t see at night, rain, snow and just simply can-??t see the line. I-??m going to take my car into to dealership to formally get diagnosed but apparently his is ongoing problem on this models
The headlight projectors (not the bulbs) clouded and dimmed the lights over time, to the point where it became unsafe to drive at night, and I had to replace the headlight assemblies with new ones. Putting brighter bulbs in the headlight assemblies did not help. There is no warning indicator for this failure, and there is no exact date of the "incident." In fact, it occurred gradually over time, and at first I thought it was my eyes and night driving. My dealer, Criswell Acura of Annapolis MD during a phone call has acknowledged and confirmed this problem with several model year RDX's, and referred me to the national Acura customer service, who said there was nothing that they would do. I have seen in several online forums that this is a common problem among 2013-2016 RDX's.. I recently replaced the headlights with aftermarket replacements at a cost of about $1,000 installed, which was about half the price of OEM replacement parts, before installation. I kept the old, defective OEM headlights, and have them available for inspection.
The headlights are dangerously dim and getting worse. Replacing bulbs does not improve the situation. I've had two close calls where I didn't see pedestrians due to the poor light output.
The OEM headlights assembly dims and overheat over prolonged use. The metal liner inside the headlights melts using a halogen bulb and overtime the liners reflective function goes away and produces a dim light beam. The light is no longer bright enough to drive in dark conditions. And it is hard for oncoming traffic to notice the lights.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Brookfield, WI, USA