Before you buy
This 2008 Acura Rl has 13 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2008 Acura Rl Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2008 Acura Rl.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2008 Acura Rl Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not Rated9.7% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
9.7% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2008 Acura Rl has 13 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Airbag Malfunctions. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Acura
- Model
- Rl
- Model year
- 2008
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 13
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Safety recall campaigns
- 6
- Top reported component
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 19
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 16 / 24
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 5/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2008 Acura Rl problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Airbag Malfunctions
Brake System
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Brake System, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2008 Acura Rl?
This ACURA RL year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.
Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.
May Suit
This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2008 Acura Rl
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
- Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
- Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN
Before You Close the Deal
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2008 Acura Rl, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
The ACURA RL has 13 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. 1 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Recall context: 6 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.
- 13 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 6 federal recall campaigns
- 1 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Full breakdown
All 2008 Acura Rl complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Acura Rl. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Acura Rl. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 …
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 WA…
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 AMOU…
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.…
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 R…
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 …
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 PAR…
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 LA…
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 S…
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…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2008 Acura Rl.
Safety recalls
2008 Acura Rl recalls
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2008 Acura Rl. 6 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2008 Acura Rl buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2008 Acura Rl reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 13 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns for this model year. This ACURA RL year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Acura Rl?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (8 complaints). #2: Brake System (1 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (1 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Acura Rl?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2008 Acura Rl?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2008 Acura Rl, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 13 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2008 Acura Rl have any recalls?▾
Yes. 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2008 Acura Rl. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 6 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2008 Acura Rl?▾
This ACURA RL year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Acura Rl reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2008 Acura Rl based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.