2005 Acura RL Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Acura RL ranks worst among all RL model years, with a complaint index of 100, 125 complaints, and 11 recall campaigns. Electrical System problems dominate at 46% of complaints, followed by Airbags at 29%, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other RL years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 9 RL years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 125
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2005 Acura RL problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System58 (46%)
- Airbags36 (29%)
- Brakes8 (6%)
- Other8 (6%)
- Engine7 (6%)
- Structure & Body7 (6%)
- Fuel System3 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (2%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (2%)
- Seat Belts2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of steering and brake response while maneuvering at low speed, in one case leading to a collision.
- Electrical failures include the navigation screen and full electrical system shutting down shortly after purchase, accompanied by SH-AWD and VSA warning lights.
- A small electrical fire was reported in the driver-side door panel, melting through the outside door handle.
- Airbag inflator issues are tied to a crash where a vehicle swerved to avoid a stopped car in the road.
- Owners describe a metallic rattling and banging noise from brake components on rough or uneven roads that dealers said they could not fix without factory support.
- Some owners report brakes locking up on their own at low speeds or while turning.
2005 Acura RL recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V500000Jun 27, 2019Airbags1,558 vehicles
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. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.
- NHTSA 19V501000Jun 27, 2019Airbags1,657,752 vehicles
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. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
- NHTSA 17V029000Jan 10, 2017Airbags308,884 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.
2005 Acura RL fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other RL years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Acura RL reliable?
- Among RL model years, 2005 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst of the years with data, with 125 complaints and 11 recall campaigns, so it earns an Avoid verdict relative to other RL years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Acura RL?
- Electrical System issues make up 46% of complaints and Airbags make up 29%, according to NHTSA data. Brakes, Engine, and Structure & Body issues each account for smaller shares.
- Does the 2005 Acura RL have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag inflator recall campaigns covering the 2005 RL, including campaigns 19V500000, 19V501000, 17V029000, 16V344000, 16V061000, 14V700000, and 14V353000.
- How does the 2005 RL compare to other RL years?
- The 2005 RL has a complaint index of 100, higher than 2006 (88), 2007 (63), 2009 (75), and other later years, making it the worst-ranked year among RL model years with data.
- What mileage do 2005 Acura RL electrical problems show up at?
- The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints is 73,000 miles, according to NHTSA complaint data.