2008 Acura RDX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
33 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 33 complaints (60.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 20 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
Air Bags: 20; Electrical System: 3; Tires: 2; Wheels: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2007: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 10; 2017: 3; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10469609 · 2012-08-07 (August 7, 2012)
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 M…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10567495 · 2014-03-05 (March 5, 2014)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10567495 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10339463 · 2010-06-22 (June 22, 2010)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10339463 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10485205 · 2012-11-19 (November 19, 2012)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 46,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10485205 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11586138 · 2024-04-30 (April 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11586138 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10723026 · 2015-06-02 (June 2, 2015)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 97,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10723026 at NHTSA ↗