Head-to-head reliability
Acura RL vs Honda Accord
How the Acura RL and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Acura RL vs Honda Accord: The Acura RL averages 23.6 complaints per year with 58 recalls, while the Honda Accord averages 452.4 complaints per year with 38 recalls. The RL's top issues are air bags and electrical, whereas the Accord's are engine and forward collision avoidance. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Acura RL or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Acura RL
The Acura RL is a low-volume luxury sedan with an average of 23.6 complaints per year over a decade, suggesting a relatively small but steady stream of owner issues. The most common complaints involve air bags, exterior lighting, and electrical problems, with some owners reporting long waits for recall repairs. With 58 recalls and 14 crash-related complaints, it's a car that demands careful recall checking before purchase. Overall, it appears to have fewer complaints per year than the Honda Accord, but the severity of air bag and electrical issues can be significant.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a high-volume family sedan with a much higher complaint rate—452.4 per year—reflecting its popularity and a wide range of reported problems. Engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems dominate complaints, with some owners describing sudden power loss, braking failures, and false alerts. With 38 recalls and 162 crash-related complaints, it's a vehicle that requires thorough inspection and recall verification. The sheer number of complaints means many owners experience issues, but the Accord's widespread availability also means more data and potentially more support.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Acura RL | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 236 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 58 | 38 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 14 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 23.6 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Acura RL
- 01AIR BAGS81
- 02EXTERIOR LIGHTING60
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM36
- 04SERVICE BRAKES16
- 05HYDRAULIC12
Owners report air bag inflator recalls that can require parking the car for months, with some complaining about lack of rental cars and long repair waits. The passenger-side inflator module is a frequent recall subject, and a crash complaint describes a frontal impact where air bag performance was a concern.
Many complaints focus on the HID headlights being blindingly bright to other drivers, with owners calling them a road hazard. This is more of a nuisance and safety concern for oncoming traffic than a failure, but it's a common owner gripe.
Owners describe random alarm triggers, key fob failures, and dashboard lights staying on or cycling after the car is off. One complaint mentions the car becoming totally disabled, leaving the owner unable to unlock doors or restart.
A complaint describes simultaneous gas and brake pedal deployment on a 2009 RL, leading to an impact with a parked vehicle. Another mentions a thud noise while braking on an MDX, suggesting brake-related noises or unintended acceleration concerns.
“I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH AND WAS TOLD TO PARK MY CAR. I DID FOR 9 MONTHS, FORCED TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. ACURA REFUSED TO PROVIDE A RENTAL. WE FILED A CLASS-ACTION SUIT. ACURA REQUIRED AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRBAGS/INFLATOR. I RECEIVED AN INVOICE I COUL…”
“MY WIFE WAS ENTERING A BEND IN THE ROAD AND CAME UPON A CAR STOPPED IN HER LANE, WITH NO BRAKES LIGHTS!!! SHE ATTEMPTED TO SWERVE TO THE SHOULDER BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. SHE IMPACTED THE CAR IN THE REAR, SLIGHTLY OFFSET TO THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE. THE FRONT O…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden loss of power, multiple warning lights (brake, hill descent, ABS, critical failure), and rattling noises during acceleration. Some describe rough transitions between EV and gas modes, with Honda allegedly not fixing the issue.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, causing near-collisions. Another describes a TPMS repair followed by a catastrophic tire failure, raising questions about service quality and electronic reliability.
Owners report false activations of adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems, sometimes under clear conditions, leading to sudden braking or alerts. These incidents occurred repeatedly on the same routes, suggesting a systemic sensor or software issue.
Complaints mention rotten-egg sulfur odors and potential fuel system defects, with one owner paying for repairs that didn't resolve the smell. A recall for fuel pump delivery indicates a known risk of fuel pump failure, which can cause stalling.
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Acura RL — 58 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles nationwide. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2012 Acura RL, 2011 Honda Element and 2011-2013 Ridgeline vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mary…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are…
The defect: 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. T…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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 E5…
The defect: 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…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura RL, 2010 Honda Element, and 2010-2013 Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
Acura RL or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Acura RL has far fewer complaints per year (23.6) compared to the Honda Accord (452.4), but the RL's issues often involve safety-critical air bags and electrical failures. The Accord's higher volume means more reported problems, but many are engine and electronic glitches that may be addressed by recalls. In practice, the RL may have fewer overall issues, but the Accord's problems are more widely documented and potentially easier to diagnose.
Key differences
- The Acura RL averages 23.6 complaints per year, while the Honda Accord averages 452.4, a nearly 20-fold difference in reported issues.
- Air bag inflator recalls on the Acura RL have led to owners parking their cars for months, whereas the Honda Accord's recalls include electrical, fuel pump, and seat belt issues.
- Honda Accord owners frequently report engine power loss and forward collision avoidance false activations, while Acura RL complaints center on electrical gremlins and blinding headlights.
- The Honda Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries reported in complaints, compared to 0 deaths and 12 injuries for the Acura RL, though these numbers reflect complaint volume and not necessarily real-world rates.
- Check for open air bag inflator recalls and confirm they have been repaired; some owners had to park their cars for months waiting for parts.
- Test all electrical functions, including door locks, alarm, and dashboard lights, as owners report random failures and total electrical shutdowns.
- Listen for rattling noises during acceleration and check for rough transitions between EV and gas modes, especially on hybrid models.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control systems for false alerts or sudden braking, as multiple owners reported these issues.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall website to see if any open recalls exist for the specific vehicle, especially air bag and fuel pump recalls.
- Ask for service records to verify that recall repairs were completed and to check for repeated electrical or engine complaints.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or hesitation during acceleration, and test all electronic features.
- For the Acura RL, inspect the headlights for aftermarket HID kits and ensure they are aimed correctly to avoid blinding other drivers.
- For the Honda Accord, check the tire condition and TPMS functionality, as one complaint linked a TPMS repair to a subsequent tire failure.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Acura RL or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
No VIN yet? Ask the seller.
A genuine seller should be happy to share it. Send this, then paste the VIN into the box above when it comes back.
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Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Acura RL vs Honda Accord
- Acura RL total complaints
- 236
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Acura RL total recalls
- 58
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Acura RL avg complaints/year
- 23.6
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Acura RL
- Acura RL top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE