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2008 Acura RDX problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Acura RDX is airbags, typically around 97,464 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical RDX model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
82/100
Owner complaints
33
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
70
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19mpg

The worst 2008 Acura RDX problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    20
  • Electrical
    3
  • Body
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Wheels
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Acura RDX

Airbag light 5

Recalls 3

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported March 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Risk
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

Recall number 19V182000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported February 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 16V061000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported August 13, 2007 · 744 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of part 567, 'certification.' incorrect certification labels were applied to these vehicles.
Risk
Some certification labels may not contain the required tire and rim size information.
Remedy
Dealers will remove the incorrect label and adhere the correct label. The recall is expected to begin on or about august 20, 2007. Owners may contact acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238.

Recall number 07V358000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2008 Acura RDX

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Acura RDX 70

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 70 bulletins for the 2008 Acura RDX

2008 Acura RDX crash test ratings

Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
Acura RDX 4-DR. w/SABPhrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.4

2008 Acura RDX fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.3L 4‑cyl4WD172219

What 2008 Acura RDX owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 30, 2024 · Transmission · PA

Acura rdx Acura says that the filter in the transmission is none serviceable but now my car is in a shop to replace the converter and they said the filter should be replaced which is why the torque converter went bad in the first place but they say it’s not to be serviced and now the shop would have to split the transmission to replace this filter which I can’t do being it would cost more then I paid for the car I think it’s definitely a safety issue if it locks the transmission up on the road I think something should be done about this filter issue which the shop said they put it inside the transmission for a reason so you’d have to spend money thanks

Filed Mar 5, 2020 · Airbags · 130,000 miles · OH

The SRS warning light has been on for over a year. We had the 2 recalls 2016 & 2019 driver's side airbag repaired at acura of dayton in october 2019, and they reset the warning light. It came back on within a few days. The code is 31-21 increased resistance l/s airbag inflator. I've also been told the airbag won't deploy if there is an accident. Please recall these, as I see other complaints.

Filed Apr 5, 2019 · Engine · 80,000 miles · CO

The turbo on my 2008 acura rdx has an obvious manufacturers defect in that the waste gate actuator has a connection point that with operating time becomes oblong and does not allow the waste gate to open and close totally effecting performance and eventually cracks and breaks making the car go into an emissions fault mode. We have taken it to one acura dealership and two engine turbo shops to diagnose this problem and it was a well known problem to all three. Dealership in colorado springs, colorado estimated the repair at six thousand dollars. The actuator arm attachment point is obviously made of a soft metal to cause it to wear out into an oblong shape from a round bolt hole under normal usage. All mechanics consulted were aware of the situation and one even showed us a youtube video showing us the problem up close and all the other people who have experienced this and how it was rectified. Whoever made the actuator for acura sold them a defective part for it to be so common.

Filed Feb 26, 2019 · Airbags, Wheels · CO

Takata recall: I have two conflicting reports from the federal safety agency. One states a recall date of 2/03/2016 (16v061000) on the airbags and the second report states there has not been any recalls. Which is correct?? Also: equipment label recall #07v358000 recall date 8/13/2007

Filed Aug 4, 2018 · Airbags · 97,464 miles · PA

Takata recall my 2008 acura rdx was a part of the takata air bag inflator recall and was apparently repaired on january 20th of 2017. However, the SRS light came on in my 2008 acura rdx on 7/27/2018 when my vehicle was stationary as I started the vehicle. I took my vehicle to the acura dealership in wexford, pa on 8/4/18, and they informed me that my passenger side airbag inflator was open causing the SRS system to default (code #32-21). Meaning that my airbag safety system will not function properly, due to the faulty airbag inflator. This is a major safety concern, and I would like this to be resolved by a follow up recall for the passenger side air bag inflators for all cars affected by the takata airbag inflator recall. To my understanding, when my drivers side airbag inflator was replaced/repaired back in 2017, they replaced the passenger side airbag inflator as well. So I would just like to make sure that I can get this faulty system replaced through a recall of both airbag inflators for the 2008 acura rdx (both meaning: driver's and passenger's side air bag inflators). Please see attached invoice. Thank you for your time.

Filed May 3, 2018 · Airbags · 130,000 miles · NY

Takata recall was supposedly completed,by dealer awhile ago. Now getting a 'check airbag system' message and 'side airbag off. Understand there are a fair number of complaints re this and wondering if should be covered because safety issue. Someone on a blog said their honda element similar issue was covered because safety issue. As it is about $1000 repair hoping you can tell me it should be covered.

Filed Apr 6, 2018 · Airbags · PA

My airbags light is coming on and off,took it to the dealer states it might be a sensor,it did cut off, next week back on,took it to dealer today ,tells me my airbag harness is bad,how my airbags have never been deployed, had the car for 5years,it had to have been a recall and I was notified or they sold me it faulty,this is sussman acura in jenkintown,pa

Filed May 1, 2017 · Airbags · NY

Takata recall - still haven't been contacted to replace/recall the vehicle.

Filed Jan 24, 2017 · Airbags · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 acura rdx. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags) however, the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced any failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Vin tool confirms remedy not yet available.

Filed Jan 4, 2017 · Airbags · 145,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 acura rdx. While the vehicle was stationary, the air bag indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2008 Acura RDX before you buy

Compare the 2008 Acura RDX

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2008 Acura RDX

Is the 2008 Acura RDX reliable?

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 2008 Acura RDX, fewer than a typical RDX model year.

What is the 2008 Acura RDX year score?

The 2008 Acura RDX scores 82 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Acura RDX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Acura RDX?

Airbags, with 20 complaints, typically around 97,464 miles. Next is electrical (3).

How many recalls does the 2008 Acura RDX have?

3 recalls, covering air bags and equipment.

Is the 2008 Acura RDX safe in a crash?

The 2008 Acura RDX was crash tested, but no overall score was published. Partial scores: rollover 4 out of 5.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Acura RDX airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 19V182000, 16V061000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Acura RDX have bad airbags?

The Acura RDX model years with the most airbags complaints are 2014 (41 complaints), 2013 (36 complaints) and 2015 (33 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Acura RDX get?

Official estimates for the 2008 Acura RDX range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, 4WD) gets 17 city and 22 highway.

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