2008 Acura RDX: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 33 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (58% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2023
“Takata recall: I have two conflicting reports from NHTSA. 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”Owner report · Wheels · Feb 2019
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2018
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 acura rdx. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2017
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 acura rdx. The contact received a recall repair associated with NHTSA campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags). The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated after the repair was performed. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 41,877.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Takata recall. Acura was supposed to replace my airbag "in the summer of 2016". The summer is over, but the parts are still unavailable. I want this shrapnel bomb in my steering wheel replaced now.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 acura rdx. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, 'CERTIFICATION.' INCORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS WERE APPLIED TO THESE VEHICLES.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact RDX by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Acura RDX reliable?
NHTSA has 33 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Acura RDX. The most complained-about area is air bags (58% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Acura RDX problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,500 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Acura RDX have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.