Total Complaints
14 filings
ACURA RL · model year
14 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2008ACURARL carries 14 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 RL is air bags with 8 filings, followed by tires (1) and equipment adaptive/mobility (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2008 RL, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
14 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 8 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 wi
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, Calif
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, i
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 2010-20
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
Mileage: 75,000
THREE OF THE FOUR DOOR LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE DO NOT FUNCTION ELECTRONICALLY AND MUST BE MANUALLY ACTUATED. *TR
Mileage: 75,000
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 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
Mileage: 33,754
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 "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
Mileage: 749
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
Mileage: 2,600
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.