10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
6,556 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2013 Acura RDX lights problems

lights problem

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2013 Acura RDX Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #32

Feb 282023

RDX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Got a problem with dim headlights in my Acura RDX change the bulb and still not working properly. I can-??t see at night. Dim headlights present a significant safety issue for drivers and pedestrians,

- Carolina, PR, USA

problem #31

Dec 182019

RDX

  • miles
Headlight housing has failed to where lights are so dim, the vehicle has become too unsafe to drive at night unless using high beams. This problem for my vehicle is known by Acura, with their only solution being to replace the entire headlight housing. Replacing the bulbs is not the issued. There is a manufacturing defect on the reflective coating for the light housing which deteriorates over time causing extremely dim headlights. Problem was first observed 2-3 years ago but dimming of lights have been happening over time.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #30

Jan 252023

RDX

  • miles
The low beam headlights on our Acura RDX are so dim that they cannot be used at night and we are forced to drive with high beams on for safety.

- Franklin, NC, USA

problem #29

Jan 122023

RDX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Halogen headlights are dangerously dim. You almost cannot tell they are even on. We-??ve had this car for years and we won-??t drive it at night. According to a lot of other owners - they have the same problem. Dealer confirmed it is a known problem but the only way to fix it is to replace the entire housing at $3,000.

- Buckley, WA, USA

problem #28

Dec 302022

RDX

  • miles
A low-beam headlight is too dim to drive at night, especially during rain

- Taunton, MA, USA

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problem #27

Apr 122020

RDX

  • miles
The headlights are extremely dim making it very difficult to see at night. The bulbs have been replaced and are still very dim. They are available for inspection upon request. There were no messages regarding any failure. And it first was noticed upon purchasing the car and driving it at night.

- Maple Valley, WA, USA

problem #26

Dec 012022

RDX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Exterior Lighting. Low beam headlights are too dim. Due to the flawed design the reflective film backing material inside the low beam headlights delaminates. The vehicle no longer conforms to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. Please investigate.

- Niles, IL, USA

problem #25

Jan 012000

RDX

  • miles
Headlights are too dim to drive safely at night.

- Red Hook, NY, USA

problem #24

May 212022

RDX

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Acura RDX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds at night, the low beam headlights were significantly dim, affecting the visibility of the roadway and the side of the roadway. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed but no issues were found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #23

Oct 012022

RDX

  • miles
The low beam headlights are very dim. Researching on the internet this is a known issue with this model from 2013-2015, but there is no recall for this obvious safety issue. My dealer states they cannot do anything about it without recall, and it is very expensive to replace the entire headlight assembly. Apparently the low beam reflector oxidizes over time. I am afraid to drive this vehicle at night.

- Waterford, NY, USA

problem #22

May 012022

RDX

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The low beam headlights are so dim that night time driving is dangerous. The car has approximately 150K miles on it. I have tried changing bulbs thinking they were just getting old and it did not improve visibility. I have seen other complaints about this for the RDX 2013, '14, & '15 online so it is definitely a known issue. Acura needs to recall these vehicles and replace the headlight assembly with ones that work.

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #21

May 152018

RDX

  • miles
The headlights are very dim to the point where I cannot see at night! It is very u safe driving this vehicle at night times due to the nonfunctioning headlight. I have been driving with my high beams just so I can see. It is sad when the high beams look like normal headlights! How and why Acura was allowed to produce and sell these vehicles is beyond me! Let alone pass any type of safety inspection! This is unsafe and hazardous when the driver cannot see the roads!

- Pensacola , FL, USA

problem #20

Nov 012021

RDX

  • miles
Low beams (both) became so dim as to be unsafe to drive at night due to reflector becoming very clouded. Many other owners have reported the same issue. FYI: low beam bulbs are good, high beam lights are fine, car has only 75k miles and is seldom driven at night

- Indian Rocks Beach, FL, USA

problem #19

Jan 062018

RDX

  • miles
The headlights are extremely dim. I have replaced the bulbs 2x. After looking on line, see that owners of 2013 - 2015 Acuras report this dangerous problem - can-??t see clearly at night and especially in the rain. Called Acura - they said no recall. From the hundreds of posts it is a visibility/safety problem. Has gotten worse over time.

- Hoover, AL, USA

problem #18

Jun 082022

RDX

  • miles
Headlights seem to be defective. So dim, you cannot see at night. This has been a problem with several years of RDX from what I am reading.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #17

Oct 012015

RDX

  • miles
We purchased our 2013 Acura RDX new and have owned it since. After about 2 years, I noticed that the Low Beam lighting was not as bright as it use to be (it never seemed exceptionally bright in the first place). Over the next few years, it appeared to be getting worse. I replaced the bulbs with the appropriate aftermarket, higher lumen rated halogen bulbs, that improved it a little bit, but not very much. The low beam lighting was much worse than my 2004 Acura TL at time. I have also read the reports from other owners and my mechanic also received similar complaints from RDX customers. I am taking my car in today to have the headlight assemblies replaced and installing aftermarket halogen bulbs ($>1,000) to hopefully improve exterior lighting so we can drive the car safely at night. Note, we have not taken our 2013 Acura RDX out at night in over 5 years as it's just not safe.

- Cary, NC, USA

problem #16

Mar 042018

RDX

  • miles
Headlights are very dim and make it extremely difficult to drive in the dark. Can barely see a few feet in front. Auto shops have commented how dim the lights are and have changed to the brightest bulbs and still there is no change. This makes driving conditions dangerous

- Pittsburgh , PA, USA

problem #15

Jun 012020

RDX

  • miles
Low beam headlights have gotten so weak it is dangerous to drive after dark. Lights are working, but ouput from the lamp is greatly diminished. This is NOT involving the clear exterior cover to the headlights. Dealership service department confirmed lights working and recommends replacement of both side headlight assemblies, at cost of $2,000 plus.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #14

Feb 072022

RDX

  • miles
The low beam headlights on my 2013 Acura RDX have become so dim that it is dangerous to drive the vehicle at night. I am the original owner. The vehicle has been driven approximately 70,000 miles, has never been in an accident and is in excellent condition otherwise. A Honda dealership recently diagnosed the problem and advised that the headlight assemblies would need to be replaced at a cost of > $2,000. Other owners of this vehicle have reported experiencing the same problem on car forums and in reports to the NHTSA and identified the cause as deterioration of the reflective lining of the projector lens. This is a serious safety issue that the manufacturer should be held responsible for addressing.

- Pittsburgh , PA, USA

problem #13

Jan 172022

RDX

  • miles
I purchased this vehicle used last April, 2020. Six months ago, I noticed while driving at the night that it seemed as if my headlights were not on. I even pulled over at one point to see if they WERE! I purchased a commercial lens cleaning kit to see if it helped the illumination. It did not. I purchased new bulbs with a higher lumen rating than the OEM bulbs. No change. I have spoken with a master mechanic and a parts supplier. They could offer no solutions. I have read several blogs that all have the same theme: the Acura RDX models from 2013-2015 all have terrible headlight components that truly compromise driving at night and could very possibly be a significant contribution to an accident. According to Acura, they don't regard this issue as a problem they should address and the dealers want a small fortune to replace the entire headlight assembly. To do the replacement myself would still cost between $500-$700. For the reputation of the brand and the price I paid - even for a USED vehicle - it seems unconscionable that Acura will take zero responsibility for inherently flawed components and design. It's all about the money...

- Honolulu, HI, USA

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