YearToAvoid

2008 Acura MDX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

5/100

#19 most-complained of 20 MDX years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2008 Acura MDX has a complaint index of 5 and ranks 19th of 20 model years, earning a Good verdict with no recalls filed. Structure & Body issues are the top complaint area at 22% of reports.

Complaints
49
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
2 / 1
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17
15 city / 20 hwy

Top 2008 Acura MDX problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body11 (22%)
  2. Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (18%)
  3. Electrical System8 (16%)
  4. Brakes7 (14%)
  5. Engine7 (14%)
  6. Airbags5 (10%)
  7. Other4 (8%)
  8. Steering4 (8%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain3 (6%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers2 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the rear tailgate's manual closing mode is hard to control and may not clear obstructions before shutting.
  • Some describe brake fluid contamination shortly after delivery, leading to full brake system replacement at very low mileage.
  • Steering linkage on the front passenger side has reportedly failed, causing the tire to angle outward.
  • Owners report the A/C condenser developing a hole that vents refrigerant at highway speed.
  • The auto damper suspension system has reportedly failed due to sensor problems, defaulting to an unintended shock sensitivity.
  • One owner reported the engine catching fire while the vehicle was parked and not running.
2008 Acura MDX complaints: complaints filed per month5Feb 2008Nov 2009Sep 2010Apr 2013Feb 2015Jun 2016May 2019May 2023
61 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2008 to Jan 2026; peak Jun 2015 (5).

2008 Acura MDX recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2008 Acura MDX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15 MPG
Highway
20 MPG
Combined
17 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other MDX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Caution1687917
2007Good1199017
2008Good549017
2009Good3752017
2010Good3245118

All Acura MDX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Acura MDX reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2008 MDX a complaint index of 5, the second-lowest of all 20 model years covered, with a Good verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Acura MDX?
Structure & Body complaints lead at 22% of reports, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 18% and Electrical System at 16%.
Does the 2008 Acura MDX have any recalls?
NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2008 MDX.
How does the 2008 MDX compare to other MDX years?
It ranks 19th worst out of 20 years by complaint index, better than most other MDX model years, though its Good verdict is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Acura MDX?
EPA rates it at 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,700.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.