Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While driving at night, on numerous occasions the right headlight would flicker intermittently and then go out completely. You have to turn headlight switch off and then back on for the headlight to come back on. I have concerns for me and my family's safety.
Headlights randomly quit working creating hazard driving at night and inclement weather. Sometimes one side and then randomly both lights discontinue working. According to owners on Acura owner website/forum, this is a common issue.
One night while driving the driver's side headlight began flickering constantly and the afs light was illuminated and has been steadily on since then, whenever my headlights are in operation. Also, the headlight went dark. This began when the car was in motion heading from a rural area into a more populated one. I was able to turn the lights on and off very quickly and the headlight was illuminated. However. This is extremely dangerous and looks illegal from a law enforcement point of view. Every since then I have had issues with intermittent operational headlights. One of them will flicker constantly and more often than not, turn off completely. Also, the afs doesn't work so my headlights no longer shift when I turn. In addition to myself, I have read several forums where this has been happening to owners of this same generation RL. …
2005 Acura RL, headlights have flickered since purchase in 2005, have reported this over the past 9-10 years corporately and to the local Acura dealers, Acura of pleasanton and Acura of the desert. This has now become a safety issue, flickering lights now turn off at night in the dark while in motion creating a driving hazard for both the occupants of the Acura and any surrounding vehicles. This is a common problem with the 2005 Acura RL according to numerous online blogs and sites. Acura continues to ignore and refuses to assume responsibility. Please intervene on behalf of current 2005 Acura RL owners, a fix or recall is necessary before some is killed or injured.
Related recalls (1)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles, during the manufacturing process, oil was applied to the brake pedal assembly to prevent rust. This oil can leak into the brake stop switch and contaminate the electrical contacts.
Remedy: Dealers will clean any excess oil from the pedal assembly and replace the stop switch. Owner notification began May 16, 2002.
Frequently asked questions
Which Acura RL years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (49) and 2006 (5) model years. Headlight complaints make up 39% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Acura RL headlight problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 02V-119 (switch, May 14, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Acura RL headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (9 mentions).
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.