Skip to content
Acura RLModel year report

2008 Acura RL Problems

Complaints
13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
18,177miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 16 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Acura RL (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2008 Acura RL. The part named most often is air bags, with 8 complaints (62% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and electrical system (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 18,177 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 72 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 5 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 45 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10860313, filed 2016-04

Equipment: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10238156, filed 2008-08, 749 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

75% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,600 and 33,754 miles.

50%0–100%10–2525%25–500%50–7525%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 18,177 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200820102012201682017
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Acura RL. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
RL · sedan AWDnot rated5 / 5——5 · 9.7% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2008 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Acura RL version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
RL 4WD/AWD3.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 Acura RL → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 72 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 72 bulletins →

Other model years of the Acura RL

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2010920,1007—18—Not enough data
2009845,1606—18—Not enough data
20081318,1776—19—Not enough data
20072034,7507—19—Falling
20063246,0008—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200512573,00011—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200411104,0000———Not enough data
2003980,8181———Not enough data
20024376,5002——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200112112,2002———Not enough data
20005977,0004——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19992492,7512———Falling
19981199,4463———Not enough data
199719145,0002———Stable
199622144,0002———Stable

All Acura RL model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Acura RL have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 2008 Acura RL as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Acura RL is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 8 complaints (62% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.

Has the 2008 Acura RL been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Acura RL get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Acura RL (RL, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Acura RL reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 18,177 miles and the middle half falls between 2,600 and 33,754 miles; 75% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.