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
The worst 2008 Acura RL problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags8
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Fuel system1
- Locks1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags8
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Fuel system1
- Locks1
- Tires1
Recalls 6
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 19V500000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 19V501000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 17V029000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 16V344000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- 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
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 07V551000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Acura RL 72
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.
- Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag Inflator for 2013-14 ILX Hybrid and Other Listed Years and...
- Service News
- Service bulletin
- Service Bulletin
- ServiceNews Article
- Service Bulletin
- Service bulletin
- Dealer message
- Tech line summary article
2008 Acura RL crash test ratings
Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura RL 4-DR. w/SAB | 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. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | 5 |
2008 Acura RL fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 16 | 24 | 19 |
What 2008 Acura RL owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 acura rl. The contact stated that the dealer repaired the vehicle per the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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.
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.
Compare the 2008 Acura RL
Other model years
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Questions about the 2008 Acura RL
Is the 2008 Acura RL reliable?
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2008 Acura RL, 1.2 times a typical RL model year.
What is the 2008 Acura RL year score?
The 2008 Acura RL scores 65 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Acura RL: 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 RL?
Airbags, with 8 complaints. Next is brakes (1).
How many recalls does the 2008 Acura RL have?
6 recalls, covering air bags and steering.
Is the 2008 Acura RL safe in a crash?
The 2008 Acura RL was crash tested, but no overall score was published. Partial scores: rollover 5 out of 5.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Acura RL airbags?
Yes, 5 recalls: 19V500000, 19V501000, 17V029000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Acura RL have bad airbags?
The Acura RL model years with the most airbags complaints are 2005 (36 complaints), 2000 (26 complaints) and 2002 (18 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Acura RL get?
Official estimates for the 2008 Acura RL range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, 4WD) gets 16 city and 24 highway.
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