2013 Acura RDX Electrical System Problems

On 3/26/2026 a symbol of an engine appeared on my dash. Then several minutes later the car began running very rough and numerous warnings signs came on including Check Engine, Check AWD System, Check Power Steering System, Check Uphill Assist system and others. I took the car to my mechanic this morning and after checking various systems he determined the Cylinder Deactivation system was not performing properly. He replaced the spark plug for cylinder 3 and confirmed the ignition coil is functioning properly. He was not able to correct the problem and said I should contact the dealer as he thought Honda had issued an extended recall on the Acura 2013 RDXs because of this problem. He said this malfunction has caused my AWD system to be disabled. I called the dealer and they said there was no recall for this issue. I have an appointment on 3/31 to have them check it out. My car only has 83,635 miles on it.

Ofttimes when parking the car does not fully shut off because the accessory mode fails to shut off. I have to restart the car and put it in gear go forward or backward attempting to shut off everything several times before the car fully shuts off. I have had to purchase a new battery because the car failed to shut off when parked by an attendant. Sometimes it will take me at least six (6) attempts before the car finally shuts off. Thanks!

Unfortunately, I am writing to report a dangerous situation that occurred while I was driving on November 3rd, 2021. This involved a safety issue that could have resulted in serious injury to me and other drivers on the road. As I was traveling on a very busy street in Miami, FL at a speed of 45 MPH, my steering wheel suddenly became very heavy and hard to turn which made me have no control over my vehicle. I eventually pulled to the side of the road almost hitting not only the car in front of me but a pedestrian on the sidewalk. I did not understand what was going on as I have never encountered this situation in my life. I then could not move my vehicle because my steering wheel was heavy, and then there were a lot of flashing indicator lights like “check power steering” and other codes. As I sat there, a bit in shock, I tried to move the steering wheel, but it would not move at all, so I had to have the vehicle towed because it was unsafe to drive. As I started to research what had happened to my vehicle, there were several reported cases re: the same issues with the electronic power steering (EPS) control unit failing while driving. There were several detailed customer complaints on Acura customer owners’ forums. In addition, I found several reported cases on Acura service bulletins, one of which was the service bulletin 19-021. This has been a frustrating and nerve wrecking experience. I maintain my vehicle by following the service/maintenance manual and have been a proactive vehicle owner by investing in the upkeep. However, this does not seem to fall within the purview of what I have ever experienced in the past and concerns me that my SAFETY was jeopardized, so that is why I am reaching out to your organization.

OPERATION OF GPS VOICE ACTIVATION SYSTEM CAUSES SIGNIFICANT DRIVE DISTRACTION AND IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. FRIENDS WITH THE SAME MODEL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. SPECIFICS OF PROBLEM IS LISTED BELOW IN COMMUNICATION WITH HONDA. THIS IS PROBLEM IS SO POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS MY WIFE AND I DON'T USE THE SYSTEM ANY MORE. IN CONVERSATIONS WITH HONDA THEY WON'T RECOGNIZE THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THE PROBLEM SEE BELOW. ACR@AHM.ACURA.COM BACKGROUND: I CURRENTLY OWN TWO ACURA VEHICLES, A 2008 TL AND A 2013 RDX. I HAVE OWNED A TOTAL OF 4 ACURA VEHICLES AND THERE ARE CURRENTLY 5 HONDA VEHICLES IN MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY. I BELIEVE YOU MANUFACTURE AN SUPERIOR PRODUCT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WHAT I CONSIDER A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE 2013 RDX. I HAVE AN ADVANCED AEROSPACE ENGINEERING DEGREE FROM MIT AND CURRENTLY WORK IN THE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT ARENA. AND I SPEAK ENGLISH FLUENTLY (NATIVE LANGUAGE). PROBLEM: TRYING TO ACTIVATE THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM (PLACES MODE) WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION IS AT BEST USER UNFRIENDLY AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. MY WIFE AND I HAVE ENGAGED IN SEVERAL TRAINING EXERCISES SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER; ALL HAVE RESULTED IN FRUSTRATION AND FAILURE TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULT. (TRAINING CONSISTS OF TRYING TO USE THE SYSTEM ON A FAMILIAR ROUTE TO A KNOWN LOCATION.) AS YOU KNOW, IN THIS MODE, THE DRIVER MUST SPELL THE DESIRED LOCATION IN ORDER TO ENGAGE THE SYSTEM. YESTERDAY, THE SYSTEM COULDN'T RECOGNIZE THE LETTER ?E,? THE MOST COMMONLY USED LETTER IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. MY ATTENTION WAS CONSTANTLY DIVERTED FROM THE ROAD TO TRYING TO MAKE AN AUDIO INPUT THAT THE SYSTEM COULD UNDERSTAND THEN LOOKING AT THE SCREEN TO SELECT A NUMBERED VERIFICATION OF THE LETTER. THIS SCENARIO TOOK ABOUT 10 MINUTES FOR A 6 LETTER WORD. UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

KEYLESS IGNITION BUTTON ALLOWS DRIVERS TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND LEFT THE VEHICLE WHILE THE SHIFT IS NOT IN PARKING. IN MY CASE, THE VEHICLE ROLLS AND ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. *TR

THE BRAND NEW CAR WAS ON FIRE BY ITSELF ON OCTOBER 30, 2012. IT WAS AFTER THE HURRICANE SANDY. MY FAMILY WOKE UP BECAUSE OF SMELLING GAS FROM DOWNSTAIRS WHICH WAS THE ATTACHED GARAGE TO THE KITCHEN. WHEN MY HUSBAND OPENED THE KITCHEN DOOR TO THE GARAGE, HE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING BUT SMOKES. WE CALLED 911 AND FOUND OUT THERE WAS FIRE INSIDE OF THE CAR. THE FIRE STARTED INTERNALLY AND SPREAD OUT TO THE GARAGE. THERE WAS SIGN OF WATER THAT GOT INTO THE GARAGE. HOWEVER, WHEN FIRE FIGHTER OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR, THERE WAS NO WATER IN THE GARAGE. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS FINE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT AREA AND THE NAVIGATOR AREA WAS TOTALLY MELTED DOWN. THERE WAS NO POWER IN OUR TOWN SINCE OCTOBER 29, 2012. THE CAR WINDOWS(SIDE AND THE TOP) WERE OPEN BY ITSELF. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE CAR CAUSED FIRE BY ITSELF. THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF CARS BUT I DID NOT HEAR THE FLOOD CAUSED THE FIRE WHICH WAS PARKED INSIDE OF THE GARAGE. THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW AND HAD A TEMPERATE PLATE. THERE IS NO SMOKER IN MY FAMILY. *TR