2021 Acura RDX Driveshaft Recall (21V939)

Recall 21V939 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Acura RDX in recall 21V939?

A component in the right or left front driveshaft may have been improperly heat-treated, which could result in driveshaft failure.

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 driveshaft failure.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 RDX with recall 21V939?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, or cause the vehicle to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, or cause the vehicle to roll away when parked if the parking brake is not applied. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your RDX shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the driveshaft, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V939?

Recall 21V939 covers 279 vehicles: 2021 Acura RDX; 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid.

NHTSA lists 279 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the RDX driveshaft recall?

Yes. Dealers will replace the right or left front driveshaft as necessary, free of charge.

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 service 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BBY, NBW, and OBX.

Manufacturer recall number: BBY, NBW, OBX.

When was recall 21V939 announced?

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) reported recall 21V939 to NHTSA on December 2, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as January 24, 2022.

This recall was filed 58 months ago. If your RDX was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my RDX is part of recall 21V939?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V939 is open on your RDX, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V939000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should RDX owners do about recall 21V939?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V939000 applies to your RDX.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Acura dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Keep a simple log of any driveshaft symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are RDX owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 189 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 23 of them about the transmission.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 189 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 23 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Acura RDX: 113 complaints in total, 13 about the transmission
• 2022 Honda CR-V Hybrid: 76 complaints in total, 10 about the transmission

Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):

The transfer case began leaking between the transmission and transfer case. Upon taking it to a mechanic I’ve been told the entire transfer case needs replacement because it has prematurely failed. The repair cost is $5533.00. Through research I’ve seen there are many failing transfer cases on acuras with the SH all wheel drive systems.

2021 Acura RDX owner, VA, NHTSA complaint 11697855, filed November 6, 2025

A transmission fluid leak has been identified emanating from the passenger side output shaft seal, located between the transmission and the transfer case.

2021 Acura RDX owner, NC, NHTSA complaint 11746061, filed June 23, 2026

I own an Acura RDX that experienced a sudden failure of the transfer case. Prior to the failure, there was little or no warning that a major drivetrain component was about to fail. When the transfer case failed, the vehicle lost its normal all-wheel-drive operation and required expensive repairs.

2021 Acura RDX owner, IL, NHTSA complaint 11753864, filed July 30, 2026

Can recall 21V939 make my RDX a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

Transmission problems tend to come back. Harsh shifts, slipping, delayed engagement and sudden loss of drive power often return after a dealer reflashes software or replaces a part, and each return trip to the dealer is another repair attempt on the record.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Acura RDX has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 21V939