I recently purchased a 2018 RDX with 90,000 kilometers. On the sales test drive, I noticed that the front suspension was clunky. The car has an Acura extended warranty and I thought it might be sway bar links or bushings. The purchase was finalized and I began the process of resolving the problem with the service department.

The noise is most noticeable at at lower speeds over pockmarked pavement and curb cuts.

At first, they denied hearing any noise. Things escalated to the service manager and he agreed there was a noise. They changed the swaybar links and bushings (51306-STK-A01, 51325-TX4-A01, 51320-TX4-A01). No improvement.

Next, they changed the struts and dust cap (51608-TX4-A01, 51611-TX4-A12 51621-TX4-A12). That improved things about 70%, but the noise still remains. I was under the impression they would be changing the strut top mounts (51920-TX4-A01), but there were none listed on the repair order. An online parts vendor states the part is “backordered – no ETA”, so maybe that is why they were omitted.

I was poking around the NHSTA and they show a manufacturer communication from just last month:

September 7, 2021: Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2021 ILXs, 2022 MDXs & 2017-2018 RDXs with a client complaint of front suspension/damper noise. Noise can be described as knock, clunk, rattle, thump or creak. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Does anybody know what AHM is trying to track down? Could it be the beginning stages of a technical service bulletin or recall?

The car is a great car, but I cannot tolerate the front suspension sounding like a miled-out, K-car taxicab.

I have same exact problem, waiting for Strut Mounts, they have been backordered since at least July. My last conversation with the dealer said they expect the mounts in this November, I'm not holding my breath. The ride quality is terrible.
I am hoping the reason for the backorder is they have redesigned the strut mounts because of this issue.

Thanks, @Enhale, for the information. I have gone back to the dealer to enquire about the strut top mounts.

I recently drove a family member's Murano, also a MacPherson strut front suspension setup, and it was super quiet. No clunking there.

My 2014 has had a clunky front end for 4 years, I just ignore it and avoid bumps...

Hey Acura, 2016 RDX too! clunk

September 7, 2021: Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2017-2021 ILXs, 2022 MDXs & 2017-2018 RDXs with a client complaint of front suspension/damper noise. Noise can be described as knock, clunk, rattle, thump or creak. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to inspect the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

So I went back to the dealer because the clunking noise became very frequent and I could pretty much reproduce it anytime by turning the steering wheel all the way right and stepping on the gas.

Dealer said everything looked normal upon first inspection but found that the control arm bushings on both sides were binding when the steering wheel is turned. By "binding" they said that the bushings were loose and would move out of position, causing the "clunk" as the car moved. They removed, reinstalled, and torqued to spec. They said the bushings were still in good condition...we shall see.

So far no more noise and the car handles like new again. Hope this helps.

I think you may have a broken motor mount, that would explain the torque from turning wheels and hard accelaration.

Any updates?
​​​​201Did you manage to correct the remaining 30%?
My 2018 is making a light knocking/clunking sound over small bumps. I thought it was bushings also. Dealer is suggesting struts.
I have about 65k km (about 40k miles) on it

My 2016 SH-AWD with 41K is doing the same. Please keep us updated. If nothing else, the noise really bugs me.