Model year guide

2008 Acura RL

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Acura RL is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 16 on record.

2008 Acura RL — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Acura RL at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints13
Combined19 mpg
Typical price$9,540

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Acura RL recalls 6

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #19V500000 · 27/06/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #19V501000 · 27/06/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement s…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #16V344000 · 23/05/2016

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the …

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #17V029000 · 10/01/2017

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American S…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #16V061000 · 03/02/2016

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 suscept…

Fix: 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.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections NHTSA Campaign #07V551000 · 04/12/2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PROLONGED HIGH UNDER-HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY CAUSING THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEAT RESISTANT POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 800-382-2238.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Acura RL common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Latches/locks/linkages
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2008 Acura RL MPG & running costs

Combined19 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,000

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Acura RL worth?

Low
$7,000
Typical price
$9,540
High
$13,200

From 16 comparable 2008 Acura RL listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Acura RL costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$7,250
Total$27,250
Per mile$0.36

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($9,540) with the same model 4 model-years older ($3,760), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Acura RL trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Tech
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl 290 hp

2008 Acura RL vehicles on record

2008 Acura RL 2008 Acura RL BaseJH4KB166X8C002612 2008 Acura RL 2008 Acura RL BaseJH4KB16678C003183 2008 Acura RL 2008 Acura RL BaseJH4KB16648C001441 2008 Acura RL 2008 Acura RL BaseJH4KB16688C001779 2008 Acura RL 2008 Acura RL BaseJH4KB16608C004126 2008 Acura RL 2008 Acura RL BaseJH4KB16688C000096 2008 Acura RL 2008 Acura RL BaseJH4KB16678C000025 2008 Acura RL BaseJH4KB16688C003080 2008 Acura RL BaseJH4KB16678C003538 2008 Acura RL BaseJH4KB16658C001030 2008 Acura RL 2008 Acura RL BaseJH4KB16698C001449 2008 Acura RL 2008 Acura RL BaseJH4KB16668C002400 2008 Acura RL BaseJH4KB16638C000569 2008 Acura RL 2008 Acura RL TechJH4KB16678C001501 2008 Acura RL 2008 Acura RL TechJH4KB16608C001632 2008 Acura RL 2008 Acura RL TechJH4KB16658C004722

Other Acura RL model years

2012 2010 2009 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

2008 Acura RL — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Acura RL have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2008 Acura RL. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Acura RL?

Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, service brakes, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Acura RL get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Acura RL at about 19 mpg combined (16 city / 24 highway).

How much is a 2008 Acura RL worth?

Comparable 2008 Acura RL listings run roughly $7,000–$13,200, typically around $9,540 (from 16 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.