RoadVitals

2008 Acura RDX

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Apr 30, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Mar 6, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Acura RDX, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and other / unspecified categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 70 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags2051.3%
  • Electrical37.7%
  • Other / unspecified25.1%
  • Body & structure25.1%
  • Engine25.1%
  • Seat belts25.1%
  • Tires & wheels25.1%
  • Powertrain (other)12.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V182000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mar 6, 2019
1,101,534 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.)Manufacturer number U40,M45,O41,G44View on NHTSA.gov
16V061000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Feb 3, 2016
2,232,187 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number JY0, JY1, JY2View on NHTSA.gov
07V358000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Aug 13, 2007
744 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, 'CERTIFICATION.' INCORRECT CERTIFICATION LABELS WERE APPLIED TO THESE VEHICLES.
The risk: SOME CERTIFICATION LABELS MAY NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED TIRE AND RIM SIZE INFORMATION.
The 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.
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)Manufacturer number Q54View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 33
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 30, 2024

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

NHTSA ID
11586138
Incident
Mar 6, 2023
Airbags
Filed Mar 5, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11316290
Incident
Mar 1, 2018
Mileage
130,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 5, 2019

THE TURBO ON MY 2008 ACURA RDX HAS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IN THAT THE WASTE GATE ACTUATOR HAS A CONNECTION POINT THAT WITH OPERATING TIME BECOMES OBLONG AND DOES NOT ALLOW THE WASTE GATE TO OPEN AND CLOSE TOTALLY EFFECTING PERFORMANCE AND EVENTUALLY CRACKS AND BREAKS MAKING THE CAR GO INTO AN EMISSIONS FAULT MODE. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO ONE ACURA DEALERSHIP AND TWO ENGINE TURBO SHOPS TO DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM AND IT WAS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM TO ALL THREE. DEALERSHIP IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO ESTIMATED THE REPAIR AT SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE ACTUATOR ARM ATTACHMENT POINT IS OBVIOUSLY MADE OF A SOFT METAL TO CAUSE IT TO WEAR OUT INTO AN OBLONG SHAPE FROM A ROUND BOLT HOLE UNDER NORMAL USAGE. ALL MECHANICS CONSULTED WERE AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND ONE EVEN SHOWED US A YOUTUBE VIDEO SHOWING US THE PROBLEM UP CLOSE AND ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS AND HOW IT WAS RECTIFIED. WHOEVER MADE THE ACTUATOR FOR ACURA SOLD THEM A DEFECTIVE PART FOR IT TO BE SO COMMON.

NHTSA ID
11194217
Incident
Dec 15, 2018
Mileage
80,000 mi
AirbagsOther / unspecified
Filed Feb 26, 2019

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

NHTSA ID
11182546
Incident
Feb 21, 2019
Airbags
Filed Aug 4, 2018

TAKATA RECALL MY 2008 ACURA RDX WAS A PART OF THE TAKATA AIR BAG INFLATOR RECALL AND WAS APPARENTLY REPAIRED ON JANUARY 20TH OF 2017. HOWEVER, THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2008 ACURA RDX ON 7/27/2018 WHEN MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AS I STARTED THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP IN WEXFORD, PA ON 8/4/18, AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR WAS OPEN CAUSING THE SRS SYSTEM TO DEFAULT (CODE #32-21). MEANING THAT MY AIRBAG SAFETY SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, DUE TO THE FAULTY AIRBAG INFLATOR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN, AND I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE RESOLVED BY A FOLLOW UP RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INFLATORS FOR ALL CARS AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL. TO MY UNDERSTANDING, WHEN MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR WAS REPLACED/REPAIRED BACK IN 2017, THEY REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR AS WELL. SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT I CAN GET THIS FAULTY SYSTEM REPLACED THROUGH A RECALL OF BOTH AIRBAG INFLATORS FOR THE 2008 ACURA RDX (BOTH MEANING: DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG INFLATORS). PLEASE SEE ATTACHED INVOICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA ID
11115752
Incident
Jul 27, 2018
Mileage
97,464 mi
Airbags
Filed May 3, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11091586
Incident
May 1, 2018
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 6, 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

NHTSA ID
11083703
Incident
Feb 13, 2018
Airbags
Filed May 1, 2017

TAKATA RECALL - STILL HAVEN'T BEEN CONTACTED TO REPLACE/RECALL THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10981690
Incident
May 1, 2017

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B18-020

AIR BAGS

Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag Inflator for 2013-14 ILX Hybrid and Other Listed Years and Models.

B23040A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in rollover of internal chip memory. The rollover occurred on January 1, 2022 at 12:00AM local time

BPO05022022901

EQUIPMENT

Dealer message - American Honda is investigating a potential quality concern with RDX Accessory Cross Bar kit. Due to this investigation, American Honda is requesting all dealers to return any uninstalled inventory to American Honda for investigation and validation by the supplier.

B18-020

AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.

B18-020

AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; EQUIPMENT

Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.

B21120A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in "rollover" of the internal chip memory; the "rollover" will occur on January 1, 2022, at 12:00AM local time. As a result, the navigation date and time will be incorrect.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Acura RDX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025291044.7
2024112056.8
2023212046.6
2022312056.8
20211093052.9
20203395055.2
20194345055.0
2018761048.5
2017741154.8
2016402159.5
20154093161.0
20142403158.8
20131623160.0
2012152045.3
2011162043.5
2010222049.9
2009152046.0
2008Viewing333043.8
2007533051.6

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.