10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,229 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #65

Oct 012019

RDX

  • miles
First noted dimming low beam headlights in Oct 2019 with ~80K mileage. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms (visual observation during nighttime driving). I replaced the OEM halogen bulbs with Sylvania SilverStar Ultra higher intensity halogen bulbs, but no discernable improvement in brightness and continued to dim over time. In Jan 2021 with ~93K mileage, I purchased and installed LED low beam bulbs which are brighter than halogen bulbs to no avail. There was no significant improvement in brightness. Dimming was now becoming a significant safety issue for night driving. In July 2022 with 110K mileage, I had independent master mechanic (not affiliated with manufacturer or dealership) check LED bulb and headlight unit alignment. The mechanic also tested a few additional bulb types all without success. The mechanic indicated that the low beam reflectors must have deteriorated and only option going forwards is to replace entire headlight units. As it was no longer safe to drive the vehicle at night, I had mechanic replace both headlights with aftermarket units with LED low beam bulbs swapped over from the defective units. I am now out of pocket for the cost of the replacement bulbs, headlight units, and installation charges due to a defective design by Honda. Reflectors should not fail during the lifetime of a vehicle irrespective of warranty and in the case of my vehicle it was well under 100K mileage. As I am sure you are aware, Honda has issued recall in Dec 2014 for 2014-2015 RLX sedans for the same issue. I have the defective headlight units in my possession for inspection upon request.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #64

Jul 012021

RDX

  • miles
Headlights are so dim they are unsafe for driving. Replacing the bulb does not fix. Acura said I need replace both headlight assemblies because the inside of the projector lens is foggy. Cost quoted is $2255.54

- Usa, MA, USA

problem #63

Jun 252022

RDX

  • miles
Low beam headlights have become progressively dimmer to the point that the vehicle is unsafe to drive at night

- Fox Point, WI, USA

problem #62

Jun 022022

RDX

  • miles
My car has 80,000 miles. My headlamps do not provide adequate light to safely drive my car at night. They have gradually gotten very dim over the past 2-3 years and now I can barely see the road when I drive at night. I work 7AM-7PM so I must drive to and from work in the dark during the fall-spring. The dealer said it is $2800 to replace the headlamps. I do not have the money right now so I am putting it off and trying not to drive at night but at times it is unavoidable. Sometimes I drive with my brights on but that is dangerous to oncoming vehicles.

- Reston, VA, USA

problem #61

May 182022

RDX

  • miles
The headlights on this model get worse and worse each day. I've replaced the bulb but there is a more serious issue.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #60

Mar 212022

RDX

  • miles
The reflector plate inside the sealed front headlamps has deteriorated. The headlamps no longer project enough light to drive the Acura RDX safely at night. The Acura dealership inspected the vehicle, acknowledged the problem, and will replace the two lamps for a little over $2K. It-??s my understanding this occurs on model years 2013 and 2014 as well. Deterioration of the reflector plate occurs gradually over time. Therefore you don-??t realize that your ability to see the road area at night is becoming worse.

- Buford, GA, USA

problem #59

Apr 082022

RDX

  • miles
My 2015 Acura RDX headlights are so dim it is dangerous to drive at night, and changing the bulbs won't help. It seems to be a common problem for many other customers with this model.

- Sammamish, WA, USA

problem #58

Jan 012021

RDX

  • miles
Over the last year or so, the halogen headlights have gradually become so dim that visibility at night is severely impaired. Dealer has tested all electrical components and the bulbs have been replaced, with no improvement in visibility. Dealer recommendation is to replace both headlight assemblies at a quoted cost over $2500. I have found other owners complaining of the same degradation of visibility with non-HID equipped models so I don't believe this to be an isolated case.

- Cary, IL, USA

problem #57

Jan 012022

RDX

  • miles
Front headlights have gradually gotten dimmer to the point where they are almost unsafe.

- Saint James, NY, USA

problem #56

Feb 042022

RDX

  • miles
The headlights have gotten progressively worse over time to the point I cannot see. The light does not extend more than a feet feet and very dimly. Oncoming traffic is flashing brights at me as if i have no lights on. It is extremely dangerous and I have nearly had accidents.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #55

Feb 042022

RDX

  • miles
The headlight low beams are very dim and the service manager at Acura said this is a known problem with 2015 RDX. The metal lining that projects the bulb light deteriorates and the lights go dim. The replacement cost is about $2500. Acura has agreed to pay all but $750. I think this is a safety defect worthy of a recall. Please assist me as soon as possible. It-??s a major safety issue that Acura us aware of (as evidenced by their willing to cover 2/3 of the cost. I want them to cover 100% of the cost!

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #54

Jul 012021

RDX

  • miles
Headlight delaminated causing passenger side low beam to be so dim it doesn-??t look like it-??s illuminating. Pulled bulb to replace to identify it illuminates just as bright as driver side. Opened a case with Acura to which they referred me to go to the dealership and if they agreed they would consider it covered. 10 min into the diagnosis the tech agreed with me. Acura then denied my case indicating this is not under warranty and no recall. $160 for a diagnosis later the issue still remains. The worst client relations I-??ve ever experienced. Honda should be appalled they treat there customers this way.

- Highland, NY, USA

problem #53

Jan 182022

RDX

  • miles
RDX 2015 57, 500 miles. This is my 5th Acura. Since OCt 2021 difficult driving at night due to low beams not deflecting enough light-now cannot drive vehicle when it gets dark-UNSAFE took the car to acura dealership and service advisor stated the panel where bulb deflects and receives lights from is shattered. "This is a common defect". He stated I would need to replace the whole headlight assembly low beam panel-not only the bulbs. $2006.74 plus labor of $398 headlights on my vehicle dont project adequate light to see while driving at night. In my research of other vehicles of the same make, model, and year, shows that there are numerous customer complaints and issues with the functioning of the headlight assembly for the 2015 Acura RDX. The failed headlights are a big safety issue that Acura has adequately addressed.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #52

Dec 012021

RDX

  • miles
The headlights are extremely dim, dangerously so. I have tried troubleshooting and the voltage at the headlamp connector is 3 volts. The fusebox and headlamp relay are 14 volts. Searching for an answer online, I find there are a myriad of other owners with the same dim headlamp problem. Dealerships seem unable to fix to the issue.

- Circleville, OH, USA

problem #51

Jan 042022

RDX

  • miles
The low beam reflector surface is failing and the quality of the lighting on the road at night at standard low beam is a danger to me and to pedestrians. This almost resulted in serious injury to someone was when I was driving in the early evening last week and did not see a pedestrian walking along the side of the road until the very last second and swerved to avoid them. They were not wearing bright clothing, but I realized that it was also the fault of my headlights after a friend had driven my car and had questioned the quality of my headlights. The gradual deterioration in quality over time was something that I had come to accept, but now realize is very dangerous to me and pedestrians. I visited my local Honda dealership to ask about this and they indicated that they have had many customers ask about the quality of the lighting on these vehicles. In addition, a quick search on the internet identified a number of forums where this problem is starting to be reported more frequently and could be a danger to many people other than myself and the pedestrians on the roads around us, see for example community.cartalk.com/acura-rdx-2015-dim--headlights/180589/23

- Mendham, NJ, USA

problem #50

Jan 092022

RDX

  • miles
Low beam headlights shine very dimly. Can not see at night without using high beams Problem has not yet been reported to dealer. Vehicle has not yet been inspected by dealer, police or insurance representative No warning lights activated to warn about problem

- Hunter, NY, USA

problem #49

Jan 032022

RDX

  • miles
Headlights have gotten so dim it is unsafe to drive at night. No change in brightness even after replacing the halogen bulbs with brighter than OEM version. The problem is apparently deterioration inside the headlight assembly/housing causing the light to not reflect out forward properly.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #48

Dec 102021

RDX

  • miles
Low beam headlight projectors reflective backing has deteriorated causing loss of reflected light end result very dim low beam headlights. Obviously everyone in my vehicle or on the roadway around me is at risk of injury or death due to poor forward lighting. Problem has been confirmed by a 30 year Master ASE certified technician. Manufacturer has not inspected the vehicle but has notified me that headlamps are not a safety related component. No warning lights or messages related to this concern. This problem IS a safety concern of the highest order and the manufacturer should be held responsible for repair cost. Acura-??s response to my concern has been laughable. They appear to believe they cannot be held responsible for they safety of the vehicles they produce or the injury or loss of life they may inflict. Please help resolve this issue.

- Valdosta, GA, USA

problem #47

Dec 012021

RDX

  • miles
The current mileage on my odometer is 69,125. Over the past few weeks (last few hundred miles), I have noticed that my low beam headlights have become very dim and are continually getting dimmer. Having read MANY other complaints about this problem with this particular year model, I took my car to our local Acura dealership to be diagnosed. The findings were that the internal reflector has deteriorated and is not projecting light properly. It seems like the 2014 Acura RDX has a recall in place for this same issue but the 2015 does not. Without adequate lighting, it is nearly impossible to drive at night. I can hardly see 20 feet in front of me--a huge safety issue. My inability to see what's around me while driving in the dark is a huge liability to other motorists around me. This has forced me to only drive in daylight. If I have to drive at night, I'm forced to use my high beams which poses safety issues for others on the road. The issue has been confirmed by my local Acura dealership. I received a repair quote of $2,196. There are no warning lights or anything alarming me that there's an issue with the light output. I sincerely hope that you all will investigate this issue and require a recall of all 2015 Acura RDX models.

- Prattville, AL, USA

problem #46

Jan 012022

RDX

  • miles
Front headlights (low beams) are very dim even after replacing the bulb. This was noticed on a long drive back home during the night. While passing opposing traffic it was almost impossible to keep visibility of the lane markers and road.

- Gilroy, CA, USA

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