CarBrief

The 2008 Acura RL has a small number of owner complaints, 13 on file with NHTSA[1]. It also has 6 recalls on file, most of them for air bag inflators, so check that each one has been done[2].

13owner complaints[1]
6recalls[2]
19MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 13 owner complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash. None mention a fire, an injury or a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Air bags is the biggest group with 8 complaints[4]. Brakes, tires, fuel system, latches and locks, electrical system and equipment adaptive/mobility have 1 each[5][6][7][8][9][10]. One complaint can name more than one component, so the groups add up to more than 13[1].

We read the complaint texts in the sample. It is small, so treat it as a hint and not a pattern.

Groups with a single complaint say little on their own.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls that apply to this car[2]. Five concern air bag inflators. Some of these recalls cover many Honda and Acura models. They still apply to the RL because the RL is named in each one[11][12][13][14][15].

Honda customer service is listed at 1-888-234-2138 for the air bag recalls[11].

Fuel economy

EPA rates the RL with the 3.5L 6-cylinder engine, Automatic (S5) and all-wheel drive at 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG[3]. It uses premium fuel[3]. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $4,350[3]. That cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

In NHTSA testing of the 4-door all-wheel-drive version, the RL earned 5 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 9.7%[17]. Our data has no other NHTSA star ratings for this car.

Engine and size

The EPA-rated engine is a 3.5L 6-cylinder[3]. These are Canadian-market specifications, so US cars can differ slightly[18].

Measure Value
Length[18] 194 in
Width[18] 73 in
Height[18] 57 in
Wheelbase[18] 110 in
Curb weight[18] 4,001 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

1996: 22 complaints, 2 recalls19961997: 19 complaints, 2 recalls1998: 11 complaints, 3 recalls19981999: 24 complaints, 2 recalls2000: 59 complaints, 4 recalls20002001: 12 complaints, 2 recalls2002: 43 complaints, 2 recalls20022003: 9 complaints, 1 recalls2004: 11 complaints, 0 recalls20042005: 125 complaints, 11 recalls2006: 32 complaints, 8 recalls20062007: 20 complaints, 7 recalls2008: 13 complaints, 6 recalls1320082009: 8 complaints, 6 recalls2010: 9 complaints, 7 recalls20102011: 3 complaints, 6 recalls2012: 1 complaints, 6 recalls2012
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each RL model year. The 2008 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1996222
1997192
1998113
1999242
2000594
2001122
2002432
200391
2004110
200512511
2006328
2007207
2008136
200986
201097
201136
201216

NHTSA counts 13 complaints and 6 recalls for 2008[2]. Across the RL model years in the data, 2005 stands out with 125 complaints and 11 recalls[2]. 2012 has the fewest complaints at 1[2].

For 2008, 13 complaints is in the middle of the range, and 6 recalls matches 2009, 2011 and 2012[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so use them only to compare RL years with each other.

Should you buy a used 2008 Acura RL?

The complaint record for this year is light, with 13 reports and no deaths or injuries[1]. The bigger issue is the air bag inflator recalls, which carry a risk of serious injury or death if an inflator ruptures[11][12][13][14][15]. Before buying or driving one, have a dealer check the VIN and confirm every recall has been completed. Owners in the complaint sample describe waiting for parts, so ask about timing too[4]. Fuel cost at 19 combined MPG on premium is also worth budgeting[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2008 Acura RL?
NHTSA has 13 complaints, and 8 name air bags[1][4]. The other groups have 1 each[5][6][7][8][9][10].
Does the 2008 Acura RL have recalls?
Yes, 6 recalls are on file[2]. Five are air bag inflator recalls and one is a power steering hose recall[2][11][12][13][14][15][16].
What MPG does the 2008 Acura RL get?
EPA rates it at 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG[3].
Is the 2008 Acura RL safe in a rollover?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars for rollover, with a 9.7% rollover risk[17].
Which Acura RL year has the fewest complaints?
In NHTSA data, 2012 has 1 complaint, the fewest[2]. 2008 has 13[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 13 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Acura RL (1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura RL model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for RL, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 8 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 1 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 1 complaints name the equipment adaptive/mobility component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 1 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 1 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 1 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 1 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Recall 19V500, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 19V501, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 17V029, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 16V344, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 16V061, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 07V551, filed December 4, 2007: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RL 4DR SEDAN AWD /ELITE: length 194 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,001 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.