AcuraRDX2009Overview/acura/rdx/2009/base/

2009 Acura RDX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 RDX.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2009 Acura RDX is a compact SUV equipped with a 5.0 quart engine oil capacity using 5W-30 viscosity, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission and achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined; this model year sits in the lower-middle portion of the RDX's complaint history spanning 2007 to 2025, with its 15 total owner complaints and two recalls representing a notably more reliable profile compared to the model's peak of 431 complaints in 2019, though the lowest complaint year on record came much later in 2024 with just 10 reported issues.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/22/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 440 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 440 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-55R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.7 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height65.4 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3929 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 22 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RDX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–7.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 2010 2.3L Technology Package
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20102.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-46.40 sec15.10 sec240 hpFWD
20072.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-46.50 sec15.10 sec240 hpAWD
20072.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-46.50 sec15.10 sec240 hpAWD
20072.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.30 sec240 hpAWD
20072.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-47.00 sec15.50 sec240 hpAWD
20072.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-47.10 sec15.60 sec240 hpAWD
20072.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-47.30 sec15.60 sec240 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.3
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.3 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33 ft-lbs
Main BearingsExcept 8mm bolts, Step
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub242 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing14 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.99-1.10 lbs
Oil TypePAG 46
Oil Capacity2.50-2.83 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance440 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)47
Engine Compression135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket37 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle101 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.060 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.094 in / 0.35 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.106 in / 0.358 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.024 in / 0.295 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., step 2: 9036 ft. lbs

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2009 Acura RDX marks among the lowest complaint volumes of the 2007-2012 period, dropping to 15 reports from 53 in 2007 and 33 in 2008. This year sits at the beginning of a stable period from 2009 to 2012 where complaints remained between 15 and 22, before rising significantly to 161 in 2013. Federal records show 2 recalls and 55 Technical Service Bulletins for 2009, which is lower than the 3 recalls and 73 TSBs recorded for the 2007 model year. Specific feedback highlights 10 Air Bag complaints, with zero fire complaints and only one crash complaint noted in the database. Given its position at the low end of the 2007-2012 complaint arc, the 2009 model presents a statistically favorable option compared to the initial launch years or the higher-volume records seen from 2013 onward.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
55
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
15
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 15 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Air Bags10
Wheels,Service Brakes1
Visibility1
Power Train1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Vehicle Speed Control1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V182000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 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… 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…

16V061000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 55 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B18-0202026-02-28Air BagsService Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag…
B23040A2023-05-17Electrical SystemService News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS…
BPO050220229012022-05-02EquipmentDealer message - American Honda is investigating a potential quality concern with RDX…
B18-0202022-04-08Air BagsService bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…
B18-0202022-03-01EquipmentService Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RDX. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2009 RDX take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30. ONLY USE MOTOR OIL MEETING ACURA SPECIFICATION HT0-06 OR EQUIVALENT, per the factory manual.

Does the 2009 RDX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RDX get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined mpg.