Acura RL Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Acura RL options? We analyzed 10 model years (2003–2012) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Acura RL has 236 owner complaints and 58 safety recalls across model years 2003–2012. The most reported issue area is AIR BAGS. 2005 drew the most complaints; 2012 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Acura
- Model
- RL
- Model years analyzed
- 2003–2012 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 236
- Safety recall campaigns
- 58
- Crash-related complaints
- 14
- Fire-related complaints
- 4
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2005 (125 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2012 (1 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- AIR BAGS
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Acura RL: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe ACURA RL has 236 NHTSA complaints and 58 recalls on record. 14 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 236 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 58 federal recall campaigns
- 14 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
58 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2003–2012. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 236 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
236 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
CANNOT SEE BEYOND ABOUT 50-60 FEET ON DARK ROADS USING LOW BEAMS ONLY. *TR
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION DURING NORMAL CONDITIONS (NEARLY 1 QUART FOR EVERY 1000 MILES). *TR
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, MULTIPLE WARNING SIGNALS AT ONCE CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON AVERAGE ROADS, ACC, CMBS, CHECK TRANSMISSION, CHECK AIR BAGS AND OTHERS. THE GREEN D THAT SHOWS THE GEAR SETTING BEGAN CONSTANTLY BLINKING. WHEN I STOPPED AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND STARTED AGAIN, ALL THE WARNING SIGNAL DID NOT REAPPEAR. WITHIN A PERIOD OF ABOUT 3 WEEKS, THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 7 TIMES. THE CAR RAN NORMALLY DESPITE ALL THESE WARNINGS.
2011 ACURA RL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR DRIVER FRONT AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE STARTED SMOKING AND BURNING ON MY VEHICLE. IT MELTED PART OF THE DOOR HANDLE AND LEFT MOST OF THE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT INOPERATIVE INCLUDING THE INABILITY TO START THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED/STATIONARY & OFF AT THE TIME OF OCCURRENCE.
FAILED TO GET A DATE TO REMEDY THE AIRBAG RECALL ON MY CAR.
Read 14 more owner reports
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
MY HUSBAND DROVE ONTO A SLOPED DRIVEWAY (UPHILL) AND LEFT THE CAR RUNNING, GOT OUT AND RANG THE DOORBELL TO OUR DAUGHTER'S HOUSE TO SEE IF ANYONE WAS HOME. THEY ANSWERED THE DOOR AND HE CAME BACK TO THE CAR AND MOTIONED FOR ME TO GET OUT OF CAR AND COME INTO HOUSE. HE REMEMBERED HE HAD LEFT THE CAR RUNNING, SO AS I GOT OUT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, HE REACHED IN AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. I TURNED TOWARD THE BACK OF CAR TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE BACK SEAT. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS STILL OPEN ALL THE WAY. THE CAR STARTED ROLLING BACKWARD DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, I TRIED TO RUN BUT THE DOOR HIT ME KNOCKED ME FACE DOWN ON THE ASPHALT OF THE STREET, AND THE BOTTOM OF THE OPEN FRONT DOOR SCRAPED OVER ME, ABRADING MY HEEL, BACK, AND LACERATING MY HEAD. WHEN MY FACE HIT THE ASPHALT, MY TWO UPPER FRONT TEETH GROUND INTO THE ASPHALT, BOTH HANDS TRYING TO BREAK MY FALL, AND BOTH KNEES CRASHING ON THE STREET SURFACE. I SUFFERED FRACTURES OF BOTH UPPER INCISORS, A 1 INCH LACERATION TO BACK OF SCALP, SPRAINED R THUMB, ABRASIONS OF BOTH HANDS AND BOTH KNEES. I PROCEEDED TO HAVE A RATHER SIGNIFICANT ASTHMA ATTACK FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTERWARD AND I THOUGHT I HAD ASPIRATED SOME OF THE TOOTH FRAGMENTS THAT BROKE OFF. I SPENT 3 HOURS IN ER GETTING CHEST AND ANKLE XRAYS AND GETTING THE LACERATION STAPLED. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNAL AND NO CLUE THAT TURNING THE ENGINE OFF WOULD LET THE CAR ROLL WHEN IT HAD STAYED STABLE WHEN ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE CAR CONTINUED BACKWARD ACROSS THE STREET AFTER ROLLING OVER ME AND ENDED UP ON THE LAWN OF THE NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET. IT SEEMS THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING SIGNAL OR SAFETY MECHANISM TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM BEING TURNED OFF IF IT IS NOT IN THE PROPER GEAR OR IF HAS SOMEHOW POPPED OUT OF PARK. *TR
WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED; SUDDENLY NOTICED VERY SLOW CAR AHEAD; UPON BRAKING, CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD; TO AVOID HEAD ON COLLISION TO LEFT, OR REAR END COLLISION AHEAD, TOOK TO SHOULDER TO ATTEMPT TO SLOW CAR DOWN; EVENTUALLY GOT CAR UNDER CONTROL AGAIN; HAVE REACHED NO DEFINITE CONCLUSIONS YET AS TO CAUSE, BUT HAVE CONTACTED DEALER FOR HELP, AS STILL WITHIN WARRANTY
I HAVE A 2009 ACURA RL. WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. AFTER ABOUT 20 FEET I NEEDED TO BRAKE. THE CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF BRAKING. WE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. ONLY THE DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED. NON OF THE DOORS WOULD OPEN EITHER FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN EITHER. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION, ONLY ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYING, AND THE DOORS REFUSING TO OPEN, THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OR SOMETHING GOING ON. *TR
ON THREE OCCASIONS THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL DEPLOYED AT THE SAME TIME ON MY 2009 ACURA RL. THE THIRD TIME THIS RESULTED IN AN IMPACT ON A PARKED VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE TWO INCHES APART AND WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT STOPS ON A LEVEL EQUAL TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THEREFORE IT CAUSES A CIRCUMSTANCE THAT DEPLOYS BOTH PEDALS SIMULTANEOUSLY.(I ACTUALLY FIND MYSELF AND MY WIFE HITTING THE BRAKE AND THE GAS AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE THE PEDALS ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER). I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO ACURA IN TORRANCE CA. AND TO THE DEALERSHIP IN SANFORD FL. AND THEY SAID IT THE WAY THE RL IS DESIGNED AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WE ARE CONCERNED THE VEHICLE PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY THREAT ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WILL TRADE IT FOR ANOTHER BRAND. BY THE WAY, THIS DECISION IS NOT MADE LIGHTLY AS I HAVE PURCHASED 11 HONDA ACCORDS AND 2 ACURAS SINCE 1980. THIS IS TRULY A VERY SAD ENDING FOR A LOYAL CUSTOMER BUT OUR SAFETY MUST BE A PRIORITY. THANK YOU. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WELLS ON HIS VEHICLE COLLECTED WATER ANYTIME IT RAINED OR IF MOISTURE WAS PRESENT ON THE ROAD SURFACE. HE STATED THAT IT SEEMED AS IF THERE WERE POCKETS ON THE WHEELS. THE CONTACT SLIPPED WHILE WALKING IN HIS GARAGE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION DUE TO THE PUDDLES FORMED BY PRECIPITATION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN THIS MANNER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300. UPDATED 06/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 06/26/09.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING FAILURE OF WHICH THE BRAKES FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN APPLIED. THE DEALER (DAVE WHITE ACURA, 5868 MONROE ST, SYLVANIA, OH 43560, (419) 885-3600) SERVICED THE BRAKE SYSTEM BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER WHO REPLACED VARIOUS PARTS INCLUDING THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER BUT THE REPAIRS PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 11/15/17 *BF UPDATED 11/27/2017*JS
2008 ACURA RL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICES 16V-344 & 16V-061 REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME- OVER 60 DAYS. *SMD
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM FOR MONTHS IF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RECALL WOULD BE COMPLETED OR IF THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED CONCERNING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RECALL AND HAD NOT CONFIRMED IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/10/16*LJ UPDATED 06/20/16.*JB
RECEIVED0 A NOTICE ABOUT THE AIR BAG. CALL TRYING TO GET IT REPLACED IN MARCH 2016. STILL HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT GETTING IT REPLACED. IT'S NOW MAY 2016.
Showing 20 of 236 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Acura RL
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Acura RL, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Acura RL has 236 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Acura RL has 58 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 14 of the Acura RL's 236 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Acura RL vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Acura RL vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Acura RL has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Acura RL stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Acura RL by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Acura RL.
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Acura RL reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Acura RL reliable?
Poor. The Acura RL has 236 NHTSA owner complaints and 58 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is AIR BAGS. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Acura RL years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2005 (125 complaints), 2006 (32 complaints), 2007 (20 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Acura RL problems?
Top reported issues: AIR BAGS (81 complaints); EXTERIOR LIGHTING (60 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (36 complaints).
Does the Acura RL have recalls?
Yes — 58 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Acura RL. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.