Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 RDX.
The 2021 Acura RDX is paired with an automatic (S10) transmission, carries EPA fuel-economy ratings of 21/27/23 mpg, and calls for 5.1 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil at each service. In the model's 2007-2025 complaint history, the 2021 model logged 102 owner complaints and three recalls, a total that sits well below the 2019 peak of 431 complaints but above the 2024 low of 10. That positioning makes the 2021 RDX a comparatively moderate year in the reliability record, neither the most troubled nor the cleanest in the lineup.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 650 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.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S10) |
| Overall length | 186.6 in |
| Overall width | 74.8 in |
| Overall height | 65.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in |
| Curb weight | 4034 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 64.2 / 64.6 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 57/43 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 21 / 27 / 23 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
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.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | A-Spec PMC Edition 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.40 sec | 14.90 sec | 272 hp | AWD |
| 2022 | A-Spec Advance 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.20 sec | 14.90 sec | 272 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | A-Spec Package 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.40 sec | 14.80 sec | 272 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | A-Spec Package 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.60 sec | 15.20 sec | 272 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | Advance Package 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.60 sec | 15.10 sec | 272 hp | AWD |
| 2019 | Advance Package 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 7.10 sec | 15.50 sec | 272 hp | AWD |
| 2023 | SH-AWD A-Spec 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 7.00 sec | 15.40 sec | 272 hp | AWD |
| 2025 | SH-AWD A-Spec Advance 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.70 sec | 15.10 sec | 272 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.1 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Rear Diff: Acura AWD Fluid DPSF in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 5.1 qt |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 4.5 qt |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | Rear Diff: Acura AWD Fluid DPSF |
| Engine Coolant | Acura Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant Type 2 |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 5.7 qt |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 120.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) | 54.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s) | 9.0 ft-lbs |
| Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s) | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s) | 16.0 ft-lbs |
| Flex or Driveplate Bolts | 55.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential Fill Plug | Use new washer: 35.0 ft-lbs |
| Differential drain Plug | Use new washer: 35.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts | 40 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | Use new washer: 32.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | Use new washer: 32.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | Transmission in Neutral or Park: 720 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | Transmission in Neutral or Park: 720 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | Acura |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.0276-0.0295 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 16.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.11-1.22 lbs |
| Oil Group | POE |
| Oil Type | DENSO ND-14 |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.11-1.22 lbs |
| Oil Group | POE |
| Oil Type | DENSO ND-14 |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 72.5 psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 79.8 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 72.5-79.8 psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 14.5 minimum psi @ curb idle speed psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure RPM | 58.0 minimum psi @ 3,000 rpms. rpm |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | Front: 37; Rear: 17 |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | Front: 101; Rear: 80 |
| ABS Sensor Torque | 6.6 |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.063; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front: 1.024; Rear: .315 |
| Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation | .0006 |
| Maximum Rotor Runout | .0016 |
| Maximum Drum Diameter | Parking Brake: 7.913 |
| 1 | 44.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 29.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 120° | 44 in |
| 1 | 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 41°, Step 3: 8 mm Bolts: 16.0 | 26 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2021 Acura RDX recorded 102 complaints, 3 recalls, 0 investigations and 194 TSBs, which is markedly lower than the peak years of 2019‑2020 (431 and 338 complaints with 5 recalls each) but higher than the subsequent years of 2022‑2025 (30‑10 complaints and 2‑1 recalls). Complaint volumes rose sharply from a low of 40 in 2016 to a high of 431 in 2019, then fell again in 2021 before continuing a downward trend through 2025. Recall activity followed a similar pattern, peaking at five recalls in 2019‑2020, dropping to three in 2021, and settling at two or fewer recalls thereafter. This places the 2021 model year in the declining phase of the complaint/recall arc that began after the 2019‑2020 surge. Consequently, the 2021 RDX offers better reported reliability than the immediate preceding years while still showing slightly higher issue rates than the most recent models, making it a reasonable but not optimal choice among used options.
All 102 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Acura RDX and 2022 CR-V Hybrid vehicles. A component in the right or left front driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which could result in… Remedy: Dealers will replace the right or left front driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid… Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, October 18, 2024, and August 2025. This is a phased recall…
Showing 5 of 194 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B21673 | 2026-05-18 | Electrical System | Over The Air Update - Vehicles equipped with the System Updates application are capable… |
| B23-004 | 2025-10-17 | Structure | "Service Bulletin - A pop noise can occur from the rear roof area when turning into… |
| B25-049 | 2025-09-16 | Engine | Service Bulletin - Oil leak at the cam chain tensioner inspection cover due to and… |
| B19-053 | 2025-05-30 | Service Brakes | Service Bulletin - The front and/or rear brakes make a high-pitched squeal when the… |
| B19-053 | 2025-05-16 | Service Brakes | Service Bulletin - The front and/or rear brakes make a high-pitched squeal when the… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
5.1 qt of Acura 0W-20, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.