Yes, there is a class action settlement for 2019 and 2020 Acura RDX vehicles affected by infotainment system defects. A $10.5 million settlement was approved in December 2021 by the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, with funds recovered in January 2022.
The lawsuit alleged that Acura sold RDX models with infotainment systems that frequently froze, crashed, failed to start up, or failed to shut down—leaving owners dealing with broken touchscreens and inoperable backup cameras. This settlement provides eligible RDX owners with an extended warranty on the infotainment system plus manufacturer-funded repairs and training programs. If you owned or leased a 2019 or 2020 Acura RDX and experienced infotainment problems, you may still be able to receive compensation or benefits under the settlement terms.
Table of Contents
- What Was the Acura RDX Infotainment System Defect?
- Understanding the Timeline and Legal Approval
- What Did the Settlement Actually Provide to Owners?
- The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Promise Gap
- Common Infotainment Failures Owners Reported
- How to Check If Your Acura RDX Qualifies
- What This Settlement Means for Current and Future RDX Owners
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Was the Acura RDX Infotainment System Defect?
The defect involved infotainment systems in 2019 and 2020 Acura RDX vehicles that exhibited multiple failure modes. Owners reported systems that would freeze mid-operation, fail to power on after starting the vehicle, crash unexpectedly, or refuse to shut down. In some cases, these failures affected safety-critical features—particularly the backup camera, which became completely unusable when the infotainment system malfunctioned.
This wasn’t a minor inconvenience; it undermined a safety feature that drivers rely on for reverse parking and collision avoidance. The defect was traced to software and hardware issues within the infotainment unit itself. Unlike minor software glitches that might be fixed with an update, these problems persisted even after dealership diagnostics and often required full system replacement. Acura’s dealership network struggled to provide consistent repair solutions, and many owners experienced repeat failures or lengthy repair wait times.
Understanding the Timeline and Legal Approval
The settlement received final approval on December 6, 2021, from Judge R. Gary Klausner in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. This approval meant that the settlement terms were deemed fair, reasonable, and adequate to compensate the affected class members.
The $10.5 million fund was recovered by January 2022, making it available for distribution to eligible claimants. One important limitation to understand: the settlement process took time. Owners who experienced infotainment problems in 2019 or 2020 may not have seen resolution or compensation until well into 2022 or later, depending on when they filed claims and when settlement checks or repairs were processed. If you own an affected RDX and were unaware of the settlement, you may still have options to file a claim, though there are deadlines associated with settlement funds.
What Did the Settlement Actually Provide to Owners?
The settlement offered multiple forms of compensation and remediation, recognizing that not all owners suffered identical harm. The primary benefit was a two-year extension (or up to 24,000 additional miles, whichever came first) of warranty coverage specifically for infotainment system defects. This extension applied to vehicles still within six years and 74,000 miles of their original purchase or lease date.
Beyond the extended warranty, Acura implemented the Dealership Assistance and Assessment Program (DAAP), which required additional training for dealership technicians to improve infotainment repair quality and consistency. Some RDX owners also received two free years of AcuraLink Security Service, Acura’s connected vehicle platform. For example, an owner whose 2019 RDX infotainment system failed in late 2022 could use the extended warranty to get repairs covered without out-of-pocket costs, whereas previously they might have faced a significant bill after the original warranty expired.
The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Promise Gap
A separate issue that contributed to owner dissatisfaction was Acura’s marketing claim about smartphone integration features. Prior to the 2019 RDX launch, promotional materials indicated that the infotainment system would support both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, when vehicles arrived at dealerships and in customer driveways, only Apple CarPlay was functional at launch.
Android Auto support did not materialize in the way Acura had promised. This feature gap frustrated Android smartphone users who expected seamless integration and instead faced a system that couldn’t provide the same smartphone mirroring experience as owners with iPhones. When combined with the infotainment stability problems, this broken promise added to owner complaints and contributed to the overall case against Acura. While the settlement didn’t explicitly address the Android Auto gap, it did provide extended warranty coverage for the underlying system that failed to deliver on manufacturer promises.
Common Infotainment Failures Owners Reported
Beyond the basic freeze-and-crash symptoms, owners documented several specific failure patterns. Some reported that the infotainment system would fail to recognize newly paired Bluetooth devices, or would suddenly disconnect from previously paired phones mid-drive. Others experienced situations where the navigation map would freeze, leaving the driver without access to turn-by-turn directions.
The backup camera failure was particularly concerning because it rendered a critical safety feature unusable. A key warning to understand: even after dealership repairs, some owners experienced recurring failures. The settlement’s extended warranty coverage and DAAP training program were designed to address this recurring-failure problem, but it meant that some RDX owners had to visit dealerships multiple times for the same infotainment issue. If you own an affected RDX, document every failure and repair attempt, as this information can be valuable for any claim-related communications.
How to Check If Your Acura RDX Qualifies
To qualify for settlement benefits, your vehicle must be a 2019 or 2020 Acura RDX, and you must have experienced infotainment system problems that fall within the defect description (freezing, failure to start, crashing, failure to shut down, or backup camera malfunction linked to infotainment failure). Settlement funds and claims processes have deadlines—filing requirements typically have specific cutoff dates that have already passed for this older settlement, though extended warranty benefits may still be available.
Contact Acura directly or check with an authorized Acura dealership to confirm your vehicle’s eligibility and to inquire about any remaining settlement benefits. Keep records of any infotainment-related repair work performed on your vehicle, including service dates and work orders, as these documents support any claim you may file.
What This Settlement Means for Current and Future RDX Owners
The Acura RDX infotainment settlement represents a meaningful enforcement action that resulted in system improvements and owner compensation. Acura’s decision to fund extended warranty coverage, implement dealership technician training, and provide complimentary security services acknowledged both the scope of the defect and its impact on owner experience. For prospective RDX buyers, this settlement demonstrates that Acura and honda are willing to address defects when they affect vehicle safety or promised functionality.
The infotainment landscape in connected vehicles continues to evolve, with larger touchscreens, more complex software integration, and expanded smartphone connectivity becoming standard. While the 2019-2020 RDX infotainment issues have been largely addressed through settlement remedies, future model years have introduced new infotainment platforms that may present different challenges. Current RDX owners benefit from lessons learned during this settlement period, as dealership training and manufacturer attention to infotainment stability has improved.
Frequently Asked Questions
My 2019 RDX infotainment system failed in 2023. Can I still get it fixed under the settlement?
Extended warranty coverage applied to vehicles within six years and 74,000 miles of their original purchase or lease date at the time of settlement approval (December 2021). Depending on your vehicle’s current mileage and age, you may still be within that window. Contact an authorized Acura dealership with your vehicle’s purchase date and current mileage to confirm eligibility.
What if my infotainment system fails multiple times? Does the warranty cover repeat failures?
Yes. The extended warranty covers infotainment system defects, and the Dealership Assistance and Assessment Program (DAAP) was implemented specifically to improve repair quality and reduce repeat failures. If you experience multiple failures, inform the dealership and request that they document the pattern in your service records.
Will the settlement cover a completely new infotainment system if mine can’t be repaired?
The extended warranty covers repairs to the infotainment system as deemed necessary by Acura’s service standards. If repair is not feasible, replacement may be covered, but this determination is made by the dealership technician. The DAAP training was designed to ensure consistent and thorough repair assessments.
Why wasn’t Android Auto ever made available on my 2019 RDX?
While promotional materials promised Android Auto functionality, it was not available at the RDX’s launch. The settlement addressed infotainment system stability and provided extended warranty coverage, but did not retroactively add Android Auto support to 2019 and 2020 models. This remains a limitation of the settlement.
What does the AcuraLink Security Service provide?
AcuraLink Security Service includes remote features such as vehicle diagnostics, emergency assistance, and remote services. For eligible RDX owners, the settlement provided two complimentary years of this service to compensate for the infotainment issues and associated inconvenience.
Is there a deadline to file a claim under this settlement?
Settlement claim deadlines have already passed for this 2019-2020 RDX infotainment settlement. However, extended warranty benefits and other remedies may still be available to eligible vehicle owners. Verify your vehicle’s status with an authorized dealership.
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