Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | −77% | 6 | Headlight | Good |
| 2011 | 3 | −62% | 6 | Airbag | Good |
| 2010 | 9 | −15% | 7 | Airbag | Average |
| 2009 | 8 | −31% | 6 | Airbag | Average |
| 2008 | 13 | 1.2× | 6 | Airbag | Average |
| 2007 | 20 | typical | 7 | Airbag | Average |
| 2006 | 32 | 1.7× | 8 | Airbag | Caution |
| 2005 | 125 | 6.5× | 11 | Headlight | Avoid |
| 2004 | 11 | −46% | — | Electrical | Good |
| 2003 | 9 | −69% | 1 | Airbag | Good |
| 2002 | 43 | 1.9× | 2 | Airbag | Caution |
| 2001 | 12 | −23% | 2 | Transmission | Average |
| 2000 | 59 | 2.8× | 4 | Airbag | Avoid |
| 1999 | 24 | 1.4× | 2 | Airbag | Average |
| 1998 | 11 | −31% | 3 | Transmission | Average |
| 1997 | 19 | 1.2× | 2 | Transmission | Average |
| 1996 | 22 | 1.3× | 2 | Window & Wiper | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median RL year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Acura RL problems
Latest Acura RL recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999…
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska,…
Remedy: 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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Acura RL should you avoid?
2005, 2000, 2002 and 2006 — these years have the most complaints relative to other RL years at the same age, led by lights problems in the 2005.
What is the best year for the Acura RL?
2012 has the fewest complaints compared with other RL years at the same age, followed by 2003 and 2011. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Acura RL problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (141), lights (62) and electrical system (60). Airbag complaints peak in the 2005 model year.
How many recalls has the Acura RL had?
20 recalls across 1996–2012. The model year with the most is 2005. See all Acura RL recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.