- The problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- The risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
Vehicle safety record
2008 Acura RL Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2008 Acura RL with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (8) and the body, doors & structure (1). Those complaints describe 1 crash. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in June 2019 for the inflator module. For comparison, the 2007 has 20 and the 2009 has 8.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical RL year, for its age
#233 most complained-about 2008 vehicle
- Complaints
- 13
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2008 Acura RL problems
Share of all 13 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2008 Acura RL recalls 6
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- The risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
- The problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- The risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.
- The problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- The risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.
- The problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, prolonged high under-hood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely causing the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid.
- The risk
- Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose free of charge. The recall began on december 12, 2007. Owners may contact honda at 800-382-2238.
What owners say
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13 complaints about the 2008 Acura RL
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 acura rl. The contact stated that there was a progressing failure of which the brakes failed to function properly when applied. The dealer (dave white acura, 5868 monroe st, sylvania, oh 43560, (419) 885-3600) serviced the brake system but the failure continued. In addition, the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who replaced various parts including the brake master cylinder but the repairs provided no solution. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was not available. ...Updated 11/15/17 *bf updated 11/27/2017*js
2008 Acura rl. Consumer writes in regards to recall notices 16v-344 & 16v-061 remedy not available within a reasonable time frame- over 60 days. *Smd
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 acura rl. The contact stated that the dealer repaired the vehicle per nhtsa campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags). The dealer was unable to confirm for months if the front passenger side air bag recall would be completed or if the vin was excluded. The manufacturer was contacted concerning the front passenger side air bag recall and had not confirmed if the vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 16v344000 (air bags). The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 acura rl. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v061000 (air bags) and 16v344000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 acura rl. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v344000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 acura rl. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 16v344000 (air bags) and 16v061000 (air bags); however, the parts needed to repair the vehicle were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 acura rl. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available. Updated 06/10/16*lj updated 06/20/16.*Jb
Received0 a notice about the air bag. Call trying to get it replaced in march 2016. Still have not heard anything about getting it replaced. It's now may 2016.
Takata recall: my car is under the takata recall. When I contacted my local dealer, they informed me I had to bring the car in first and then they would issue an ron so a rental car could be obtained. They said I could then take my rl home and park it in the garage until the parts were obtained. Since I bought the car at the dealer, they have serviced it, and I received an official safety recall notice from acura, why am I required to make a 40 mile round trip in a vehicle that acura admits driving the car can cause serious injury or death. It seems the dealership can simply supply the ron over the phone. Or am I missing something here?
Three of the four door locks on the vehicle do not function electronically and must be manually actuated. *Tr
My wife drives a 2008 acura rl. We live in las vegas, nevada. My wife noticed gas fumes inside the passenger cabin last summer (2009) and again this summer (2010) on hot days to the point she would become ill. I could smell strong gas fumes after she park the rl in the garage last summer (2009) and this summer (2010) on hot days. Nothing was done last year (2009) because we were told there was no repair to the problem. This summer (2010) she drove the rl to our local acura service department and the staff at the...
Read the full complaint
service department also noticed the smell of gas fumes inside the car. After the inspection we were told that this was normal due to our summer heat here in las vegas. The afternoon temperature was around 107 degrees. The service manager said that he could fix the problem with his own type of repair, he said that was not an official repair from acura. The problem with the gas fumes inside the car seems to have been fixed by the local service managers repair but on hot days we still smell strong gas fumes in our garage. We were told verbally from acura to park the rl outside and not in the garage on hot days if we smell gas fumes coming from the rl. I asked acura to put that in writing if that was acura?S position, acura refused to put anything in writing regarding gas fumes and our acura rl. *Tr
Note: 2009 acura not yet available on "pull down" menu- so I listed 2008.... Entering divided highway on "cloverleaf" entry, approx 38 mph, approx 4/5 of curved entry driven, car (2009 acura rl) began to fishtail, removed foot from accelerator, problem got worse, braking and steering ineffectual, "sh" handling, crash avoidance systems precluding driver initiated attempts or allowing driver to bring car under control. Resulting in damage in collision with guard rail, front and rear. Manufacturer has performed...
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"investigation" and carefully examined car/ downloaded computer "historic" info and says up to oem spec/ design. I say there is still a problem that needs to be addressed. I hope a recall is issued or changes made before serious injuries occur 2009 acura rl *tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 acura rl. The vehicle has michelin radial x tires. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact drove over a deep pothole and the tire pressure icon illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a dealer and the contact discovered that a tire was missing. The dealer could not determine why the tire detached from the vehicle, but stated that the tire's distance from the ground played a role. The current mileage was 3,000 and failure mileage was 2,600. Updated 04/25/08 *bf
Acura RL: every year compared
All RL years2008 Acura RL vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Acura RL | 13 | 6 | C | |
| 2008 Acura TL | 124 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2008 Acura MDX | 49 | 1 | A | Compare |
| 2008 Acura TSX | 34 | 3 | B | Compare |
| 2008 Acura RDX | 33 | 3 | A | Compare |
| 2008 Acura RSX | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2008 Acura RL
Does the 2008 Acura RL have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2008 Acura RL: inflator module (June 2019); inflator module (June 2019); inflator module (January 2017); inflator module (May 2016) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Acura RL?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (8), body, doors & structure (1), brakes (1).
How many complaints has the 2008 Acura RL had?
13 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 28, 2008 and the latest on September 21, 2017. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2008 Acura RL a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 49 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Acura RL year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Acura RL years have the most complaints?
2005 (125), 2000 (70), 2002 (59). See every Acura RL year compared.
What should I do if my 2008 Acura RL has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data