general problems of the 2013 Acura RDX - part 2

The headlights have gotten progressively and dangerously dimmer over time and it is a known issue according to a local dealer. It's dangerous to drive at night but cost-prohibitive to fix.

Headlights are very dim due to degradation of the reflective projection surface. Internet searches indicate this is a common problem for the 2013-2015 Acura Rdxs. The only solution is to replace the entire headlight assembly.

The headlights have become too dim to drive safely at night. While researching the problem on-line, I see this is a known problem caused by the reflective material inside the headlamp assembly delaminating or discoloring. Although a known safety problem, Acura has not issued a needed recall to correct the problem.

A low-beam headlight is too dim to drive at night, especially during rain.

Exterior lighting. Low beam headlights are too dim. Due to the flawed design the reflective film backing material inside the low beam headlights delaminates. The vehicle no longer conforms to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108. Please investigate.

Low beam lighting failures due to the reflective property breakdown.

The low beam headlights are very dim. Researching on the internet this is a known issue with this model from 2013-2015, but there is no recall for this obvious safety issue. My dealer states they cannot do anything about it without recall, and it is very expensive to replace the entire headlight assembly. Apparently the low beam reflector oxidizes over time. I am afraid to drive this vehicle at night.

The low beam lamps have become very dim. I replaced with new lamps, but no improvement. After having the bulbs replaced and outside lamp assembly polished I discovered the projector lens itself that the lamps are inserted into have become clouded, similar to having cataracts. On social media I have learned this is a problem shared by many owners. One night after returning home from work I was stopped by a deputy sheriff because he noticed I had my bright lights on too long and that my low beams were too dim. I explained the issue to him and what I was in the process of doing so he let me go. So next day I contacted the dealership and Acura too about this issue. Being denied any satisfaction to remedy the issue I found it necessary to search for and then purchase out of pocket new after market headlight assemblies. The dealership quoted me well over $1,400 to purchase and install. I went to a local auto/body shop and got it done for just under $600. 00. I also purchased fog light assemblies to be added to the vehicle while the headlight assemblies were being installed. Total out of pocket was just over $900.

Headlights seem to be defective. So dim, you cannot see at night. This has been a problem with several years of Rdx from what I am reading.

The contact owns a 2013 Acura Rdx. The contact stated while driving a various speeds at night, the low beam lights were significantly dim, affecting the visibility of the roads lanes and the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that no issues were found. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

The low beam headlights are so dim that night time driving is dangerous. The car has approximately 150k miles on it. I have tried changing bulbs thinking they were just getting old and it did not improve visibility. I have seen other complaints about this for the Rdx 2013, '14, & '15 online so it is definitely a known issue. Acura needs to recall these vehicles and replace the headlight assembly with ones that work.

A few years ago I began to notice the lack of visibility when I would drive at night. I had my headlight bulbs replaced thinking it was a simple maintenance issue. After spending the money the lights did not get any better. They have only gotten worse over the year and now its so bad when I drive its a hazard. In speaking to Acura they have stated that this is a known issue and its the entire head light component that must be replaced not just the bulbs. That cost would be upwards of $2,000 just for the parts! I can not afford to purchase this and I dont think this falls under normal wear and tear maintenance. I am a very responsible car owner and have always kept records of my car service that I will attach for documentation.

Headlights are very dim. Because of dimness of my headlights, others car were not able to see me and came in front of me, the lights are so dim that I can’t see at night, rain, snow and just simply can’t see the line. I’m going to take my car into to dealership to formally get diagnosed but apparently his is ongoing problem on this models.

The low beam headlights on my 2013 Acura Rdx have become so dim that it is dangerous to drive the vehicle at night. I am the original owner. The vehicle has been driven approximately 70,000 miles, has never been in an accident and is in excellent condition otherwise. A Honda dealership recently diagnosed the problem and advised that the headlight assemblies would need to be replaced at a cost of > $2,000. Other owners of this vehicle have reported experiencing the same problem on car forums and in reports to the NHTSA and identified the cause as deterioration of the reflective lining of the projector lens. This is a serious safety issue that the manufacturer should be held responsible for addressing.

I purchased this vehicle used last April, 2020. Six months ago, I noticed while driving at the night that it seemed as if my headlights were not on. I even pulled over at one point to see if they were! I purchased a commercial lens cleaning kit to see if it helped the illumination. It did not. I purchased new bulbs with a higher lumen rating than the oem bulbs. No change. I have spoken with a master mechanic and a parts supplier. They could offer no solutions. I have read several blogs that all have the same theme: the Acura Rdx models from 2013-2015 all have terrible headlight components that truly compromise driving at night and could very possibly be a significant contribution to an accident. According to Acura, they don't regard this issue as a problem they should address and the dealers want a small fortune to replace the entire headlight assembly. To do the replacement myself would still cost between $500-$700. For the reputation of the brand and the price I paid - even for a used vehicle - it seems unconscionable that Acura will take zero responsibility for inherently flawed components and design. It's all about the money. . .

Very poor visibility from low beam lights. The daytime running lights are brighter than my low beams. Had bulbs replaced with upgraded bulbs still unable to drive this vehicle at night. I'm the original owner purchased new no accidents. Acura has a recall or warranty enhancement for other models with the same problems. I was told by the dealer only way to correct my issues is by replacing the headlight assembly. Very disappointed with my last 2 Acura vehicles. Acura should have kept making the vehicles in japan.

The headlights do not produce enough light to see the road. Every time the car is driven at night it is extremely dangerous.

Low beams (both) became so dim as to be unsafe to drive at night due to reflector becoming very clouded. Many other owners have reported the same issue. Fyi: low beam bulbs are good, high beam lights are fine, car has only 75k miles and is seldom driven at night.

Headlights (low beams) are way too dim making driving in the dark impossible. Replacing bulbs and aligning lights did not correct problem. Driver in another car said headlights were barely visible on their end.

The reflective surface inside the headlight assemblies has delaminated. This effectively makes the headlights useless and creates a very unsafe driving condition at night. I reported the issue to Acura's national customer service number but they did nothing but record the call. This is a known issue with Acura as they have done recalls on other year and model combinations. This is clearly a very serious latent manufacturing and safety issue that needs immediate attention. A simple google search will reveal many owners talkin about this on internet forums.

The front low beam headlights are extremely dim. Can typically only see approximately 30 feet in front while driving. Any speed in excess of 25mph is dangerous. High beams work fine. There are no fog lights on this vehicle.

I, along with many others according to the internet, am experiencing very low, unsafe visibility at night due to poor low beam performance. New bulbs make no difference and most of the time the vehicle must be operated using the high beams, which is a safety issue for other drivers.

The headlight projectors (not the bulbs) clouded and dimmed the lights over time, to the point where it became unsafe to drive at night, and I had to replace the headlight assemblies with new ones. Putting brighter bulbs in the headlight assemblies did not help. There is no warning indicator for this failure, and there is no exact date of the "incident. " in fact, it occurred gradually over time, and at first I thought it was my eyes and night driving. My dealer, criswell Acura of annapolis MD during a phone call has acknowledged and confirmed this problem with several model year Rdx's, and referred me to the national Acura customer service, who said there was nothing that they would do. I have seen in several online forums that this is a common problem among 2013-2016 Rdx's. . I recently replaced the headlights with aftermarket replacements at a cost of about $1,000 installed, which was about half the price of oem replacement parts, before installation. I kept the old, defective oem headlights, and have them available for inspection.

Low beam headlights gradually became dim to the point of not illuminating the road. Replacement halogen bulbs made no difference. The reflective coating inside the low beam projector housing delaminates to the point that no light illuminates the road. You literally have to drive with high beams on as those are in another housing. Acura dealer said only solution was to replace the entire headlight unit. I spent about $500 on replacement headlight housing from ebay and paid a body shop to install them. Acura refuses to recall the 2013-2014-2015 Rdx that all have this same issue.

The low-beam headlights are so dim at night that it is extremely dangerous to drive. One can only see several feet in front of the car. I understand other years of Acura Rdx's have a defect, and were subject to a recall, involving the reflective material in the headlight assembly. That material would degrade over time, making the lights dim. I have replaced the bulbs themselves, but that has not improved the situation.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? headlight assembly. Yes, it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? visibility at night is significantly diminished. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes. Car engine and body is in great shape. It is well maintained with approximately 101,019 miles. The low beam headlights have dimmed to the point the vehicle is almost undrivable at night. This is a well documented problem with other Acura Rdx owners with the same model year. The manufacturer will not fix the issue and is recommending a replacement of the entire headlight assembly which is >$2,000. This is not a wear and tear item. I've never had to replace this type of equipment on any vehicle I've owned.

The front headlights have failed and now hardly illuminate the roadway at night. I brought the vehicle to the dealer and they polished the outside housing of the headlamp assembly, but that failed to remedy the problem. I brought the vehicle to a local repair shop, and they report this is a common problem with Acuras and they state that the entire headlight assembly needs to be replaced. The headlights are available to be inspected on request. Without adequate headlight illumination, this puts the operator, passengers and pedestrians at risk as they cannot be seen at night.

The headlights begin to dim in December 2020. I finally had to replace headlamp unit: replace both leadlight assemblies on 12 March 2021 due to reflective chrome paint has worn/burnt away. Repairs costed $3,546. 20. It is 15 October 2023 and the headlights are beginning to dim-out again. The Acura dealership inspected my vehicle on 14 October 2023 and indicated that the headlamp unit need replacing, again.

The oem headlights assembly dims and overheat over prolonged use. The metal liner inside the headlights melts using a halogen bulb and overtime the liners reflective function goes away and produces a dim light beam. The light is no longer bright enough to drive in dark conditions. And it is hard for oncoming traffic to notice the lights.

Low beam headlights have gotten so weak it is dangerous to drive after dark. Lights are working, but ouput from the lamp is greatly diminished. This is not involving the clear exterior cover to the headlights. Dealership service department confirmed lights working and recommends replacement of both side headlight assemblies, at cost of $2,000 plus.

The headlights are extremely dim making it very difficult to see at night. The bulbs have been replaced and are still very dim. They are available for inspection upon request. There were no messages regarding any failure. And it first was noticed upon purchasing the car and driving it at night.

My headlights are dim and this started happening about 3 years ago when my car 7-years-old. I have to use my brights to drive at night. The ron tonkin Acura of portland, or told me the projectors are bad and that both headlights need to be placed for $2000. This is luxury vehicle and this situation is ridiculous. This needs to be a recall. Others have complained online about the same issue.

Headlight housing has failed to where lights are so dim, the vehicle has become too unsafe to drive at night unless using high beams. This problem for my vehicle is known by Acura, with their only solution being to replace the entire headlight housing. Replacing the bulbs is not the issued. There is a manufacturing defect on the reflective coating for the light housing which deteriorates over time causing extremely dim headlights. Problem was first observed 2-3 years ago but dimming of lights have been happening over time.

Headlights failed. Replaced light bulbs several times. The ballasts are not fogged but light is all diffracted. Very unsafe to drive. I have been dealing with the issues for years. I took the car to the dealer and their solution was aftermarket lights!.

Headlights are very dim. Sometimes need to use high beams to see at night. From what I read on line, it is a common problem with the headlight housing on 2013-2015 Acura Rdx. This is a serious safety risk and Acura should repair. I purchased the car used about 2 years ago and the problem has gotten worse.