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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2008 Acura RDXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 33 owner complaints for the 2008 Acura RDX. Most complaints involve air bags (20) and electrical system (3). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Mar 2019
Owner complaints
33
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Mar 6, 2019NHTSA 19V182000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 3, 2016NHTSA 16V061000

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, 'CERTIFICATION.' INCORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS WERE APPLIED TO THESE VEHICLES.

EquipmentReported Aug 13, 2007NHTSA 07V358000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

33 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2007 – Apr 2024
  1. Air bags20
  2. Electrical system3
  3. Power train2
  4. Wheels2
  5. Structure2
  6. Tires2
  7. Engine1
  8. Suspension1
  9. Vehicle speed control1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each RDX model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200753
200833
200915
201022
201116
201215
2013162
2014244
2015415
201641
201780
201878
2019439
2020349
2021117
202231
202324
202412
202530
20261
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

20 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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2020Air bagsODI 11316290

Electrical system

3 reports
“WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH, AN ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS BRAKING FOR A RED LIGHT. AFTER STOPPING AT THE LIGHT I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. THE CAR HESTITATED ABOUT 3 SECONDS BEFORE IT WAS ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD, WARNING CAME ON TO SHUT DOWN UNECESSARY POWER. . I WAS BARELY ABLE TO PULL CAR OFF THE ROAD. IT WOULD NOT MOVE MORE THAN TWO FEET AFTER I GOT IT OFF THE ROAD. AN HOUR LATER THE CAR WOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE TOW TRUCK, BUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THEN SHUT DOWN TOTALLY. RESTARTED THE CAR AGAIN TO MOVE TO TOW TRUCK. IT IS IN SHOP FOR SERVICE NOW. THE CAR HAD JUST BEEN CHECKED FOR A1 SERVICE AND ACURA AND PASSED INSPECTION AS WELL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2015Electrical systemODI 10723026

Power train

2 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2024Power trainODI 11586138
All 2008 RDX problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S5)
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RDX 4WD
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$4,200468
  • RDX 4WD
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    17 city · 22 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Acura RDX as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 2420
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 RDX questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Acura RDX have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Acura RDX problems?

Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (20), electrical system (3), power train (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Acura RDX get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Acura RDX at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026