AI Damage2008 Acura RL: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Acura RL filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 62% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 3 Equipment 8% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Latches, locks, linkages 8% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 8% of all complaints
- Air bags: 8 complaints (62% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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…
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, [ZIP], [phone]) serviced the brake system but the failure continued.
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.
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.
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.
Three of the four door locks on the vehicle do not function electronically and must be manually actuated.
This summer (2010) she drove the rl to our local acura service department and the staff at the 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.
Tl 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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,843 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the RL has 21 complaints (20 years in the data). This year has 13, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Latches, locks, linkages. Door, hood and tailgate latches, especially near the impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Acura RL?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, equipment. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: brake failure (8%), door locks, latches, handles (8%), fuel system, fuel smell (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Acura RL?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Acura RL from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.