Is the Acura ZDX more reliable than the Lexus RX?

Based on our data, the Lexus RX is more reliable with an average score of 85/100 compared to 82/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Acura ZDX or the Lexus RX?

The Lexus RX has more recalls (42) compared to the Acura ZDX (4). 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 ZDX or the Lexus RX?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus RX has a lower complaint rate at 7.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 73.6 for the Acura ZDX. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Acura ZDX or Lexus RX safer?

Both the Acura ZDX and Lexus RX 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: 2026-05-15

Acura ZDX vs Lexus RX: Reliability Compared

Acura ZDX

Excellent

More Reliable

Lexus RX

Excellent

Choosing between the Acura ZDX and the Lexus RX? 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 midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Lexus RX currently leads with an average score of 85/100 compared to 82/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Acura ZDX and Lexus RX Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Lexus RX is in its fifth generation, introduced in 2023. Being early in its generation cycle, the RX might encounter typical first-year issues as new platforms often do. The previous fourth generation, which ran from 2016 to 2022, was mature and likely benefited from improved reliability due to its mid-cycle facelift in 2019. The Acura ZDX, on the other hand, is in its second generation, launched in 2024. With only a few years in production, it remains relatively new. The first generation, which lasted from 2010 to 2013, had a facelift in its final year. Given the ZDX's newer platform, potential buyers should be mindful of initial teething problems that newer models often experience.

Verdict

The Lexus RX is more reliable than the Acura ZDX, scoring 85/100 vs 82/100.

The Lexus RX outperforms the Acura ZDX in terms of reliability, boasting a higher average reliability score of 85/100 compared to the ZDX's 82/100. While the RX has experienced a higher total number of recalls over a longer production span, its owner complaints rate is significantly lower at 7.5 per 10,000 sold, versus the ZDX's 73.6. Both models face issues with their electrical systems, but the RX's broader range of common problems does not outweigh its superior reliability metrics. Overall, the Lexus RX's lower complaint rate and higher reliability score make it the more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Lexus RX has 66.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Acura ZDX has 38 fewer total recalls
3Lexus RX scores 3 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Acura ZDX

—

2Lexus RX

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Acura ZDX vs Lexus RX: Which Is More Reliable?

Acura ZDX vs Lexus RX at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Acura ZDX	Lexus RX
Reliability Score	82/100	85/100
Years Tracked	2	9
Total Recalls	4	42
Complaints per 10k Sold	73.6	7.5
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2025 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	1	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Acura ZDX and Lexus RX?

The Lexus RX exhibits a broader range of issues with 729 total complaints, notably in the air bags category, which accounts for 73 complaints, 11 of which are crash-linked, indicating a significant safety concern. In contrast, the Acura ZDX has only 45 total complaints, with the most prevalent issue being the service brakes, tallying 13 complaints, but with no crash-linked incidents. While the Lexus RX also shows notable issues in the electrical system and service brakes, both with crash-linked complaints, the Acura ZDX has fewer categories affected, with electrical and forward collision avoidance systems as primary concerns but without crash-related incidents. Overall, crash-linked complaints are more prominent in the Lexus RX, highlighting potential safety vulnerabilities compared to the Acura ZDX.

Acura ZDX vs Lexus RX common problem areas comparison
Component	Acura ZDX	Lexus RX
SERVICE BRAKES	21.3High	0.2Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	13.1Above Avg	0.6Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	11.5Above Avg	0.5Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	11.5Above Avg	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	4.9Average	—None
POWER TRAIN	3.3Average	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	—None	0.8Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.2Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.2Very Low
ENGINE	—None	0.2Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
TIRES	—None	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
STEERING	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None

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

How Does Acura ZDX vs Lexus RX Reliability Compare by Year?

Acura ZDX vs Lexus RX year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Acura ZDX	Lexus RX	Edge
2025	88/1000R / 0C	83/1005R / 9C	Acura ZDX
2024	76/1004R / 45C	85/1009R / 48C	Lexus RX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Acura ZDX scored 88/100 and the 2024 Lexus RX scored 85/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Acura ZDX vs the Lexus RX?

If you prioritize reliability and lower owner complaints, the Lexus RX might be the better choice. With a reliability score of 85/100 and only 7.5 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, it suggests a generally dependable performance. However, be mindful of the 42 total recalls, which indicate some past issues that Lexus has addressed. If these factors align with your priorities, the RX could offer a more reassuring ownership experience. On the other hand, if a lower number of recalls is important to you, consider the Acura ZDX. It has only 4 recalls, which might indicate fewer widespread issues. However, the ZDX has a higher rate of owner complaints at 73.6 per 10,000 sold, which could mean more frequent minor annoyances. Choose the ZDX if you value a vehicle with fewer historical recalls and are willing to deal with potentially more frequent smaller issues.

Acura ZDX vs Lexus RX: Common Questions

Is the Acura ZDX more reliable than the Lexus RX?: Based on our data, the Lexus RX is more reliable with an average score of 85/100 compared to 82/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Acura ZDX or the Lexus RX?: The Lexus RX has more recalls (42) compared to the Acura ZDX (4). 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 ZDX or the Lexus RX?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus RX has a lower complaint rate at 7.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 73.6 for the Acura ZDX. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Acura ZDX or Lexus RX safer?: Both the Acura ZDX and Lexus RX 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 ZDX comparisons

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More Lexus RX comparisons

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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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