2008 Acura RDX Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Acura RDX, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags2051.3%
- Electrical37.7%
- Other / unspecified25.1%
- Body & structure25.1%
- Engine25.1%
- Seat belts25.1%
- Tires & wheels25.1%
- Powertrain (other)12.6%
- Transmission12.6%
- Steering12.6%
- Driver assistance12.6%
- Suspension12.6%
- Brakes12.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT PROPERLY AFTER BEING UNBUCKLED. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO PROPERLY DISPLAY AN ACCURATE SPEED RATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 10/29/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE UNWILLING TO TEST THE VEHICLE. SOME ADVISED ONLY ACURA COULD TEST/REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO WAS ADVISED THE TOOLS NEEDED WHERE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TESTED FOR THE ODOMETER FAILURE. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
ON FEBRUARY 12, 2013 I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 ACURA RDX ON A SIDE ROAD WHEN MY TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. I FELT A SLIGHT BUMPING FROM MY WHEELS. WHEN I LOOKED UP IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR SAW A SECTION OF MY TIRE LYING IN THE ROAD BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY I WAS AT A LOW SPEED. WHEN I PICKED UP AND CHECKED THE SECTION OF TIRE THAT HAD DETACHED I REALIZED THAT THE TIRE HAD SPLIT IN A CIRCUMFERENCE ALONG THE SIDE WALLS ON BOTH SIDES AND THAT THE SEGMENT THAT HAD DETACHED HAD THE TREAD SECTION INTACT ALONG WITH A FEW INCHES OF THE SIDEWALLS. THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE TIRE REMAINED ON THE RIM. THE TIRE WAS A MICHELIN MXM4 PILOT 235/55VRI AND HAD ONLY BEEN ON MY CAR FOR 26,000 MILES. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. THE DOT# FOR THIS TIRE IS B93JPHFX4110. NONE OF THESE TIRES HAVE PERFORMED TO NEAR THE 50,000 MILES THAT THEY ARE RATED AT. ON JANUARY 4, 2011 AT 26,644 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE 2 REAR TIRES AS THEY HAD WORN TO THE TREAD WEAR INDICATORS. ON JANUARY 6, 2012 AT 38,979 I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES AS THEY HAD WORN TO THE TREAD WEAR INDICATORS. THE TIRE THAT FRACTURED ALONG THE SIDE WALL IS NOW THE 5TH. TIRE THAT I HAVE NEEDED TO PURCHASE IN THIS SERIES FOR THIS CAR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A PARKING SPOT, THE CAR EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION DESPITE APPLICATION OF BRAKES. THE CAR JUMPED OVER PARKING STOPS AND COLLIDED WITH CAR PARKED IN OPPOSITE PARKING SLOT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT PROPERLY AFTER BEING UNBUCKLED. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO PROPERLY DISPLAY AN ACCURATE SPEED RATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 10/29/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE UNWILLING TO TEST THE VEHICLE. SOME ADVISED ONLY ACURA COULD TEST/REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO WAS ADVISED THE TOOLS NEEDED WHERE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TESTED FOR THE ODOMETER FAILURE. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
A/C CONDENSER ON THE ACURA RDX 2008 STILL UNDER WARRANTY DID NOT WORK WHEN THE WEATHER WAS WARMING UP. WENT TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID ALL THE FREON ESCAPED FROM A SMALL HOLE ON THE CONDENSER DUE TO SOME DEBRIS HITTING IT. DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $900 DO FIX IT!! THE CONDENSER HAS A DESIGN FLAW. IT IS NOT PROTECTED WITH A GRILL AND IT WILL KEEP HAPPENING AGAIN. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. A LOT OF HONDA AND ACURA VEHICLES OWNERS ARE REPORTING CONDENSER DAMAGE DUE TO ROAD DEBRIS!!! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA RDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT PROPERLY AFTER BEING UNBUCKLED. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO PROPERLY DISPLAY AN ACCURATE SPEED RATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 10/29/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE UNWILLING TO TEST THE VEHICLE. SOME ADVISED ONLY ACURA COULD TEST/REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO WAS ADVISED THE TOOLS NEEDED WHERE TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TESTED FOR THE ODOMETER FAILURE. *JS
THE HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE FRONT SEATS TILT FORWARD WAY TOO MUCH. THIS CAUSES THE PEOPLE SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT, ESPECIALLY THE DRIVER, TO HAVE TO HOLD THEIR HEAD DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THIS STRESSES THE MUSCLE IN THE NECK CAUSING FATIGUE TO THE NECK. THIS COULD RESULT IN SOME DRIVERS HAVING ACCIDENTS AND CAUSING INJURY. I AM TALKING ABOUT THE 2008 HONDA CR-V. THIS NEEDS TO BE CHECKED AS IT COULD HARM SOME DRIVERS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON FEBRUARY 12, 2013 I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 ACURA RDX ON A SIDE ROAD WHEN MY TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. I FELT A SLIGHT BUMPING FROM MY WHEELS. WHEN I LOOKED UP IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR SAW A SECTION OF MY TIRE LYING IN THE ROAD BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY I WAS AT A LOW SPEED. WHEN I PICKED UP AND CHECKED THE SECTION OF TIRE THAT HAD DETACHED I REALIZED THAT THE TIRE HAD SPLIT IN A CIRCUMFERENCE ALONG THE SIDE WALLS ON BOTH SIDES AND THAT THE SEGMENT THAT HAD DETACHED HAD THE TREAD SECTION INTACT ALONG WITH A FEW INCHES OF THE SIDEWALLS. THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE TIRE REMAINED ON THE RIM. THE TIRE WAS A MICHELIN MXM4 PILOT 235/55VRI AND HAD ONLY BEEN ON MY CAR FOR 26,000 MILES. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. THE DOT# FOR THIS TIRE IS B93JPHFX4110. NONE OF THESE TIRES HAVE PERFORMED TO NEAR THE 50,000 MILES THAT THEY ARE RATED AT. ON JANUARY 4, 2011 AT 26,644 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE 2 REAR TIRES AS THEY HAD WORN TO THE TREAD WEAR INDICATORS. ON JANUARY 6, 2012 AT 38,979 I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES AS THEY HAD WORN TO THE TREAD WEAR INDICATORS. THE TIRE THAT FRACTURED ALONG THE SIDE WALL IS NOW THE 5TH. TIRE THAT I HAVE NEEDED TO PURCHASE IN THIS SERIES FOR THIS CAR. *TR
YOKOHAMA AVID TRZ S316 31631 TIRES P255/55R-18 97T BSW WITH 13,000 MILES ON 2008 ACURA RDX. TIRES PURCHASED 10-30-2010 ON 4-12-2011, WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 60MPH, EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE ON RIGHT REAR TIRE. PULLED OFF OF FREEWAY AND REMOVED TIRE. COULD NOT FIND ANY CAUSE FOR LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE. TOOK WHEEL TO AIR SUPPLY AND RE-PRESSURIZED TIRE TO 35 PSI. MADE CLOSE EXAMINATION TO FIND CAUSE OF PRESSURE LOSS AND DISCOVERED NO PUNCTURE, NO OBJECT IN TIRE, NO LEAKS. A BUBBLE/BLISTER WAS OBSERVED ON INSIDE TIRE NEXT TO RIM . CARRIED FULLY PRESSURIZED TIRE TO DEALER (DISCOUNT TIRE, ARLINGTON, TX) POINTED OUT BLISTER TO TECH, HE BLAMED ROAD HAZARD, SAYS PROBABLY HIT A POTHOLE. WHILE THE TIRE WAS BEING REPLACED, I QUESTIONED THE COUNTERMAN AS TO WHY THE SUDDEN LOSS OF PRESSURE AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THE TIRE HAD A LARGE PUNCTURE. I ASKED TO SEE IT AND SURE ENOUGH, A 1/8 TO 1/4 INCH PUNCTURE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE! ANOTHER TECH ACTUALLY VOLUNTEERED THAT HE HAD HEARD AIR HISSING FROM THE TIRE WHEN HE TOOK IT OUT OF MY TRUNK! WHY WOULD A TIRE DEALER DISCOUNT THE INSIDE WALL BLISTER/BUBBLE AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF TIRE FAILURE AND THEN PUNCTURE THE TIRE ON PURPOSE TO CLAIM AS THE CAUSE OF TIRE FAILURE? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE FAILS TO SHIFT AND HITS REV LIMITER STOPPING ALL FORWARD MOMENTUM. MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE IS MARKETED AS AN AUTOMATIC, BUT WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN "S", YOU HAVE TO USE THE SHIFTERS TO SHIFT, HOWEVER IF YOU ARE IN EVEN A SLIGHT TURN, YOU CANNOT ACCESS THE SHIFTERS AS THEY TURN WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE ARE NO WARNINGS OF THIS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. ACURA HAS BEEN CONTACTED AN REFUSES TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE. THIS AFFECTS ALL RDX YEARS! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENTIRE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO PREMATURE WORN SEALS. THIS OF COURSE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE. APPARENTLY, THE SAME SEALS ARE USED IN THE 2004-2008 TL THAT HAVE A TSB FOR THIS (TSB 08-016). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A PARKING SPOT, THE CAR EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION DESPITE APPLICATION OF BRAKES. THE CAR JUMPED OVER PARKING STOPS AND COLLIDED WITH CAR PARKED IN OPPOSITE PARKING SLOT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A PARKING SPOT, THE CAR EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION DESPITE APPLICATION OF BRAKES. THE CAR JUMPED OVER PARKING STOPS AND COLLIDED WITH CAR PARKED IN OPPOSITE PARKING SLOT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT BRAKES ON MY 2008 ACURA RDX MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN APPLIED ON A SLIGHT DOWNGRADE OR WHEN STOPPING SLIGHTLY HARDER THAN NORMAL. I EXPERIENCED W/ ORIGINAL BRAKES, REPEATED VISITS TO DEALER HEARD & FOUND NOTHING. AT TIME OF BRAKE REPLACEMENT, BRAKES WERE FINE, NOISE STARTED AGAIN ABOUT 15K MILES INTO THE NEW BRAKES. TOOK TO DEALER ON SAT THEY AGAIN FIND NOTHING REPORT PADS/ROTORS NORMAL. THE DEALERSHIP NOW STATES THAT ACURA IS AWARE AND HAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE GRABBING ONTO THE ROTOR. FEEL MUSHY, RUBBING AND SLOW TO STOP. THE SOUND IS SIMILAR TO METAL TO METAL GRINDING. HAD A LOANER AND BRAKES WERE 1000% MORE STABLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .