Is the Acura RDX more reliable than the Volvo XC60?

Based on our data, the Acura RDX is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Acura RDX or the Volvo XC60?

The Volvo XC60 has more recalls (42) compared to the Acura RDX (14). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura RDX or the Volvo XC60?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Volvo XC60 has a lower complaint rate at 5.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13 for the Acura RDX. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Acura RDX or the Volvo XC60?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Acura RDX is cheaper to maintain at $497/year versus $746/year for the Volvo XC60.

Is the Acura RDX or Volvo XC60 safer?

Both the Acura RDX and Volvo XC60 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-17

Acura RDX vs Volvo XC60: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Acura RDX

Good

Volvo XC60

Good

Choosing between the Acura RDX and the Volvo XC60? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Acura RDX currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Acura RDX and Volvo XC60 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Volvo XC60 is in its second generation, which began in 2017. This generation was last redesigned in 2017, with facelifts in 2021 and 2025. The XC60's mature platform suggests that many initial issues have likely been addressed, offering a more reliable experience for buyers. In contrast, the Acura RDX is in its third generation, starting in 2019, with its last redesign occurring in 2019 and a facelift in 2022. The RDX is in the latter part of its generation cycle, indicating that it has likely benefited from refinements over the years, enhancing its reliability.

Verdict

The Acura RDX is more reliable than the Volvo XC60, scoring 78/100 vs 74/100.

The Acura RDX edges out the Volvo XC60 in reliability with a slightly higher score of 76/100 compared to 74/100 for the XC60. While the RDX has a higher owner complaint rate at 13 per 10,000 units versus the XC60's 5.3, it benefits from significantly fewer recalls, with just 14 compared to the XC60's 42 over the same period. Additionally, the RDX offers lower estimated annual repair costs at $497, compared to $746 for the XC60. Overall, the Acura RDX presents a more reliable option with fewer recalls and lower maintenance expenses, despite a higher rate of owner complaints.

Key Differences

1Acura RDX costs $249 less per year to repair
2Acura RDX has 28 fewer total recalls
3Volvo XC60 has 7.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

5Acura RDX

—

1Volvo XC60

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Acura RDX vs Volvo XC60: Which Is More Reliable?

Acura RDX vs Volvo XC60 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Acura RDX	Volvo XC60
Reliability Score	78/100	74/100
Years Tracked	8	8
Total Recalls	14	42
Complaints per 10k Sold	13	5.3
Annual Repair Cost	$497/yr	$746/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.5/yr
Major Repair Risk	6%	7%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	5	2

What Are the Common Problems With the Acura RDX and Volvo XC60?

The Volvo XC60 has a relatively high number of complaints related to the electrical system, with 81 total complaints and 5 linked to crashes, indicating a potentially severe issue in this area. In contrast, the Acura RDX shows a broader distribution of issues, with the highest number of complaints in the "Unknown or Other" category at 233, and significant visibility/wiper concerns at 148. The RDX also has notable engine-related complaints at 84, a problem category that is less pronounced in the XC60. Both models have a similar number of crash-linked complaints in their service brakes, but the RDX presents a more diverse range of problem areas, including power train and structure, each with crash-linked incidents.

Acura RDX vs Volvo XC60 common problem areas comparison
Component	Acura RDX	Volvo XC60
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3.1Average	0.5Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.8Very Low	1.8Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	2Low	0.2Very Low
ENGINE	1.1Low	—None
POWER TRAIN	1Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.8Very Low	0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.6Very Low	0.4Very Low
STEERING	0.4Very Low	0.3Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.4Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	0.4Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	0.2Very Low	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.2Very Low
TIRES	—None	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.1Very Low
SEATS	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Acura RDX or Volvo XC60?

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Volvo XC60 has an annual repair cost of $746, which is $249 more than the Acura RDX's $497. Over five years, this translates to a $1,245 difference. Additionally, the Volvo XC60's repair frequency is slightly higher at 0.5 visits per year compared to the Acura RDX's 0.4 visits. The risk of encountering a major repair is also slightly greater for the Volvo at 7%, versus 6% for the Acura. For cost-conscious buyers, the Acura RDX presents a better value, with lower annual repair costs, reduced repair frequency, and a marginally lower risk of major repairs.

How Does Acura RDX vs Volvo XC60 Reliability Compare by Year?

Acura RDX vs Volvo XC60 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Acura RDX	Volvo XC60	Edge
2026	87/1000R / 0C	74/1003R / 4C	Acura RDX
2025	81/1001R / 27C	76/1004R / 22C	Acura RDX
2023	82/1001R / 16C	74/1005R / 40C	Acura RDX
2021	77/1002R / 99C	75/1005R / 31C	Acura RDX
2020	67/1004R / 327C	75/1006R / 17C	Volvo XC60
2019	66/1004R / 417C	72/1008R / 33C	Volvo XC60
2018	79/1001R / 71C	74/1005R / 35C	Acura RDX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Acura RDX scored 87/100 and the 2025 Volvo XC60 scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Acura RDX vs the Volvo XC60?

If you prioritize low running costs and fewer repair headaches, the Acura RDX might be the better choice for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $497 and a repair frequency of 0.4 times per year, it is more affordable and less likely to need repairs compared to the Volvo XC60. Additionally, the RDX has a lower major repair risk of 6% and fewer recalls, with only 14 on record, making it a more reliable option for those seeking peace of mind. For those who value a balance between reliability and performance, the Volvo XC60 could be appealing despite its slightly lower reliability score of 74/100. It has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 5.3 compared to the RDX's 13. However, be prepared for a higher annual repair cost of $746 and a slightly higher repair frequency of 0.5 times per year. If you can manage these factors, the XC60 offers a robust driving experience with a focus on safety and comfort.

Acura RDX vs Volvo XC60: Common Questions

Is the Acura RDX more reliable than the Volvo XC60?: Based on our data, the Acura RDX is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Acura RDX or the Volvo XC60?: The Volvo XC60 has more recalls (42) compared to the Acura RDX (14). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura RDX or the Volvo XC60?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Volvo XC60 has a lower complaint rate at 5.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 13 for the Acura RDX. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Acura RDX or the Volvo XC60?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Acura RDX is cheaper to maintain at $497/year versus $746/year for the Volvo XC60.
Is the Acura RDX or Volvo XC60 safer?: Both the Acura RDX and Volvo XC60 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Acura RDX comparisons

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More Volvo XC60 comparisons

Volvo XC60 vs Genesis GV70 reliability Volvo XC60 vs Audi Q3 reliability Volvo XC60 vs BMW X1 reliability Volvo XC60 reliability by year Volvo XC60 years to avoid

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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