Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 RDX.
As an SUV pairing an Automatic (S5) transmission with an engine requiring 5.0 quarts of 5W-30 oil, the 2012 Acura RDX returns an EPA-estimated 19/24/21 mpg. The vehicle has amassed just 15 owner complaints primarily concerning Air Bags, alongside 2 recalls. When viewed against the RDX's broader 2007-2025 complaint history—which peaks at 431 complaints in 2019 and drops to a low of 10 in 2024—the 2012 model sits firmly near the lower end of the spectrum, indicating a relatively stable and reliable period in the lineup's history.
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 35 · 440 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 (S5) |
| Overall length | 181.9 in |
| Overall width | 73.6 in |
| Overall height | 65.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3946 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 62.2 / 62.6 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 57/43 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 19 / 24 / 21 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 6.40 sec | 15.10 sec | 240 hp | FWD |
| 2007 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 6.50 sec | 15.10 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2007 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 6.50 sec | 15.10 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2007 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 6.70 sec | 15.30 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2007 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 7.00 sec | 15.50 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2007 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 7.10 sec | 15.60 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
| 2007 | 2.3L Technology Package 2.3L Turbo I-4 | 7.30 sec | 15.60 sec | 240 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.1 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 5.3 Pints |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 54 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 33 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 33 ft-lbs |
| Main Bearings | Except 8mm bolts, Step |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 720 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | NGK |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.028-0.031 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 13.0 ft-lbs |
| Ignition Timing | 14 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.00-1.10 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 2.66-3.00 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 35 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 440 cca |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum) | 47 |
| Engine Compression | 135 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI. |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 10 psi @ Idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | 0.008-0.010 in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | 0.011-0.013 in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 37 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 101 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.063 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.094 in / 0.35 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.106 in / 0.358 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 1.024 in / 0.295 in |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 22 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 36 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 | 36 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2012 Acura RDX sits at the end of the first generation (2007–2012), a period marked by a clear downward trend in complaints—from 53 in 2007 to just 15 in 2012—and a stable recall count of two per year from 2010 onward. With only 15 complaints and no investigations or fire/crash reports, 2012 is the most trouble-free year of its generation, matching 2009’s low complaint figure while benefiting from fewer TSBs (52) than earlier years. In stark contrast, the second generation that begins in 2013 sees a dramatic spike to 161 complaints and the first investigation, indicating a significant reliability break. The data does not specify root causes for the 2012 complaints, but the top area—air bags (6 complaints)—is a common concern across many vehicles of that era. Overall, the 2012 RDX represents the mature, refined endpoint of a stable generation, making it a strong buy for a used vehicle compared to the more problematic 2013–2015 models.
All 15 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's…
Showing 5 of 52 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B18-020 | 2026-02-28 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag… |
| B23040A | 2023-05-17 | Electrical System | Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS… |
| BPO05022022901 | 2022-05-02 | Equipment | Dealer message - American Honda is investigating a potential quality concern with RDX… |
| B18-020 | 2022-04-08 | Air Bags | Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
| B18-020 | 2022-03-01 | Equipment | Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
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.
5.0 qt of 5W-30. ONLY USE MOTOR OIL MEETING ACURA SPECIFICATION HT0-06 OR EQUIVALENT, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg.