Acura RL Reliability Problems

RL owners have made 28 complaints over 17 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 7th in overall reliability out of 17 Acura models, with real electrical and lights concerns.

2 Common Acura RL Problems

A list of some of the most common issues RL owners have to deal with.

  1. Takata Airbag Inflator Recall

    A large number of Acura vehicles have been recalled because they contain dangerous airbag inflators made by Takata. The shrapnel-hurling inflators have been recalled in over 37 million vehicles (and counting).

    Continue reading article "Takata Airbag Inflator Recall" Crash ttest dummy about to slam into an airbag with a super-imposed Takata logo

  2. Excessive Oil Consumption

    Changed your oil recently? I'm guessing you think you’re good to go for another 3,000 to 5,000 miles depending on the oil you’re using. Acura owners with V6 J-Series engines better think again.

    Continue reading article "Excessive Oil Consumption" A gauge cluster with an orange wrench warning light labeled 'Service Due Now'

What RL Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

RL Generations

The RL has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 1st generation (1996–2004).

RL Key Numbers

  1. 28 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 310 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 21 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

RL Class-Action Lawsuits

The RL has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Dismissed

    Grodzitsky v. American Honda Motor Company

    1. Dismissed

      A Honda window regulator lawsuit won't move forward as a class action after an appeals court shot down that idea in a 2-1 ruling.

    2. Case Filed

      The plaintiff filed the lawsuit alleging defective Honda/Acura window regulators caused the windows to fall into the door frames.

    Class Vehicles
    • 2000-2011 MDX
    • 2000-2011 TSX
    • 2000-2011 RL
    • 2000-2011 Acura CL
    Location
    California

Recent RL News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Any hope of a proposed class-action lawsuit for faulty window regulators in certain Acure vehicles has fizzled after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals shot down the proposal in a 2-to-1 ruling.

    The plaintiff argued that Honda, parent company of Acura, installed window regulators that are insufficiently strong and insufficiently durable to withstand the forces required to perform [their] intended function. Functions like making sure the dang window doesn't fall into the door, for example.

    The lawsuit originally included the 2000-2011 Acura MDX, Acura TSX, Acura RL and Acura CL but those vehicles were dropped in a last-ditch effort to save the suit.

    It didn't work.

    keep reading article "Window Regulator Class-Action Lawsuit Stopped in Appeals Court"

  2. Acura's parent company, Honda, has reluctantly agreed to settle an oil consumption lawsuit for vehicles with 3.7-liter J37 engines.

    I emphasize reluctant because the automaker says they're closing the book on this case to "avoid the time and expense of ongoing litigation" and says only a small number of customers have filed complaints.

    Despite that rousing show of support for its customers, the settlement will provide relief for out-of-pocket expenses related to consumption issues if the owner can show documentation like oil change receipts. Honda has also agreed to extend its powertrain warranty. CarComplaints.com has a great breakdown of the settlement details in further detail.

    keep reading article "Acura Agrees to Oil Consumption Settlement for J37 Engines"

Other Acura Models