AcuraRDX2018Overview/acura/rdx/2018/base/

2018 Acura RDX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 RDX.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2018 Acura RDX is an SUV that uses a 4.5‑quart oil capacity and 0W‑20 oil, mated to a 6‑speed automatic transmission and delivers EPA‑rated fuel economy of 19 city, 27 highway, 22 combined mpg. In the context of its model‑wide reliability record, the 2018 version registers only 75 total owner complaints—well under the 431 complaints seen in the peak 2019 year—suggesting a relatively stable ownership experience. A single recall has been issued, and the majority of complaints cluster in the fuel system, underscoring the model's overall reliability.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/27/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 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 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5-J inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.5 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase105.5 in
Curb weight3856 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 27 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainAll-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.

6.2–7.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 2016 Advance Package
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Advance Package 3.5L V66.20 sec14.80 sec279 hpAWD
2016Advance Package 3.5L V66.20 sec14.80 sec279 hpAWD
2016Advance Package 3.5L V66.50 sec15.00 sec279 hpAWD
20143.5L V6 Technology Package6.20 sec14.80 sec273 hpAWD
20133.5L V6 Technology Package6.20 sec14.80 sec273 hpAWD
20133.5L V6 Technology Package6.30 sec14.90 sec273 hpAWD
20133.5L V6 Technology Package7.00 sec15.40 sec273 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.6 qt
Engine CoolantUse Honda Type 2 antifreeze
Engine Coolant Capacity7.8
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)3.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)68.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)32.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)16.0 ft-lbs
Flex or Driveplate BoltsAT: 55.0 ft-lbs, MT: 87.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts24 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub242.0
Rear Wheel Hub181.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerAcura
Spark Plug Gap3471cc and 3474cc Engines:
Spark Plug Torque16 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.95-1.06 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.75 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24F

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum58.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum65.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0-65.0 psi
Engine Compression135 min psi / Maximum Variation 29 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 37; Rear: 17
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 101; Rear: 80
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: .295
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor Runout.0016
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake Drum: 7.913

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees. Only if you are using a new pulley bolt or crankshaft, tighten the bolt in the following steps: Step 1: 52.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: loosen bolt, Step 4: 89.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: 9089 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Bearing cap bolts:

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
247 degrees; Side cap bolts: 36.0 ft. lbs.47 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 160,000 miUniversal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)

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 2018 Acura RDX sits near the bottom of a steep decline in complaints and recalls that began in the 2013‑2015 spike and peaked at 406 complaints in 2015. In 2018 it recorded only 75 complaints and a single recall, the lowest complaint count in the decade and the only year with zero investigations. The trend shows a gradual rebound after 2015, with 2016‑2018 maintaining low complaint levels before a sharp increase again in 2019. This places the 2018 model in a favorable position, reflecting improved reliability relative to earlier years. Given the low recall count, minimal investigations, and the best complaint figures of the generation, 2018 is a strong year to consider buying.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
56
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
75
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 75 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline15
Fuel/Propulsion System10
Power Train6
Unknown Or Other4
Service Brakes3
Engine3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Electrical System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V858000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 18/12/2023

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022… Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 56 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
ONL6T806032025 Acura Form2025-06-03Power TrainOwner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, the torque converter lock-up…
ONL6T806032025 Acura Lett2025-06-03Power TrainOwner Notification Letter - Under certain circumstances, the torque converter lock-up…
B23-0292025-04-18EngineService Bulletin - The lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to…
BEBM041820259012025-04-18EngineDealer Message - Torque converters may not have been manufactured to proper…
B23-0292024-02-26Engine And Engine CoolingService Bulletin - The lock-up clutch cannot provide adequate holding force due to…

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 2018 RDX take?

4.5 qt of 0W-20 STARBURST, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 RDX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RDX get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined mpg.