What years of the Acura RL should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2005, 2006, and 2009 are the RL years to avoid, with 2005 ranking worst at a complaint index of 100 and 125 total complaints.

Which Acura RL year is best?

No RL model year earns a Best verdict. 2010 is the only year rated Good, with the lowest complaint index (38) among years with recorded data.

What is the most common problem with the Acura RL?

Across all model years, Electrical System issues account for 37% of the 213 total complaints (79 complaints), followed closely by Airbags at 33% (71 complaints).

Does the Acura RL have airbag recalls?

Yes. Airbag-related recall campaigns appear across nearly every RL model year, including inflator replacement recalls tied to the 2005, 2006, and 2009 model years.

Acura RL Best and Worst Years (2005–2015)

Acura RL years to avoid are 2005, 2006, and 2009, led by 2005 with a complaint index of 100 and 125 complaints, mostly electrical and airbag issues. No RL year earns a Best verdict; 2010 is the only Good year, with the lowest complaint index (38) among the years with data.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2006 Avoid 2009

Model years: 9; 2005–2015
NHTSA complaints: 213
Recall campaigns: 14
Crashes reported: 11
Fires reported: 4
Top problem area: Electrical System

RL Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Acura RL problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	100	125	4	1	11	Electrical System	19	—
2006	Avoid	88	32	3	1	8	Electrical System	19	—
2007	Caution	63	20	1	1	7	Airbags	19	—
2008	Caution	50	13	1	0	6	Airbags	19	—
2009	Avoid	75	8	1	1	6	Airbags	18	—
2010	Good	38	9	1	0	7	Airbags	18	—
2011	No verdict	25	3	0	0	6	Engine	20	—
2012	No verdict	0	1	0	0	6	Electrical System	20	—
2015	No verdict	13	2	0	0	0	Brakes	—	—

RL years to avoid: what went wrong

2005 Acura RL Index 100 · 125 complaints · 11 recalls

The 2005 RL has the highest complaint volume of any year, 125 complaints, and tops the complaint index at 100. Electrical System problems account for 46% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 73,000, including reports of door-panel wiring smoking or catching fire. Airbags make up 29% of complaints, at a much higher median mileage of 136,000. The year carries 11 recall campaigns, more than any other RL year, several tied to Takata airbag inflators. Owners also reported sudden loss of braking and steering control in isolated incidents.

2005 electrical system problems →2005 airbags problems →

2006 Acura RL Index 88 · 32 complaints · 8 recalls

The 2006 RL logs 32 complaints and a complaint index of 88, the second-highest of any RL year. Electrical System issues lead at 41% of complaints, median mileage 68,300, including a reported fire from faulty door wiring. Airbags follow at 28%, with reports of airbags failing to deploy in crashes at a median 50,000 miles. Suspension and tire complaints included a rear tire blowout. The year has 8 recall campaigns, again dominated by airbag inflator replacements.

2009 Acura RL Index 75 · 8 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2009 RL has just 8 complaints but a complaint index of 75, driven by a small number of severe reports relative to its low volume. Airbags are the top problem area at 38% of complaints, median mileage 55,000. Owners also reported sudden unintended acceleration and brake/accelerator pedal confusion around 15,000 to 17,000 miles, plus one report of a door handle smoking and melting electrical wiring. The year carries 6 recall campaigns, including two separate airbag inflator recalls.

Most common Acura RL problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System79 (37%)
Airbags71 (33%)
Engine20 (9%)
Brakes16 (8%)
Other14 (7%)
Structure & Body12 (6%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (4%)
Fuel System8 (4%)
Transmission & Powertrain6 (3%)
Steering4 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Acura RL should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2005, 2006, and 2009 are the RL years to avoid, with 2005 ranking worst at a complaint index of 100 and 125 total complaints.
Which Acura RL year is best?: No RL model year earns a Best verdict. 2010 is the only year rated Good, with the lowest complaint index (38) among years with recorded data.
What is the most common problem with the Acura RL?: Across all model years, Electrical System issues account for 37% of the 213 total complaints (79 complaints), followed closely by Airbags at 33% (71 complaints).
Does the Acura RL have airbag recalls?: Yes. Airbag-related recall campaigns appear across nearly every RL model year, including inflator replacement recalls tied to the 2005, 2006, and 2009 model years.