How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Acura RL?

NHTSA lists 58 Electrical System complaints for the 2005 RL, which is 46% of all 125 complaints filed for that model year, the highest share among RL model years in the data.

Is there a recall for the 2005 Acura RL electrical system?

No related recall is listed in the NHTSA data for this issue.

At what mileage do these electrical problems usually happen?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 73,000 miles, though individual complaints range from very low mileage up to over 115,000 miles.

What are the most common electrical complaints on the 2005 RL?

Owners most often describe headlight problems, including dim or flickering low beams, adaptive headlights that dim on hills and bumps, and one report of a door panel electrical fire.

Did any 2005 RL electrical complaints involve a fire or crash?

NHTSA data for this problem area lists 1 fire and 1 crash among the 58 Electrical System complaints for the 2005 RL.

2005 Acura RL Electrical System Problems

Owners filed 58 Electrical System complaints for the 2005 Acura RL, 46% of all complaints that year, the highest share of any RL model year. NHTSA lists no related recall, and the median failure mileage was 73,000 miles.

Electrical System complaints: 58; 46% of 125 complaints
All complaints this year: 125
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 73,000 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

Adaptive headlights (AFS) illuminate only a short distance ahead and self-adjust downward on hills or bumps, cutting visibility on dark roads.
Low-beam headlights flicker intermittently and sometimes go out completely while driving, then come back after cycling the light switch.
The navigation screen, which owners say controls electrical functions, has failed entirely along with simultaneous SH-AWD and VSA warning lights shortly after purchase.
A small electrical fire started in a driver-side door panel and melted through the outside door handle.
Halogen high-beam headlights were reported as too dim to safely see the road at highway speeds on unlit roads.

When 2005 Acura RL electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 29, 2004, latest Jun 27, 2023.

58 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2004 to Jun 2023; peak Dec 2009 (4).

Electrical System recalls for the 2005 Acura RL

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by RL model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

200558 (46%)
200613 (41%)
20074 (20%)
20081 (8%)
20091 (13%)
20101 (11%)
20110 (0%)
20121 (100%)
20150 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Acura RL?: NHTSA lists 58 Electrical System complaints for the 2005 RL, which is 46% of all 125 complaints filed for that model year, the highest share among RL model years in the data.
Is there a recall for the 2005 Acura RL electrical system?: No related recall is listed in the NHTSA data for this issue.
At what mileage do these electrical problems usually happen?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 73,000 miles, though individual complaints range from very low mileage up to over 115,000 miles.
What are the most common electrical complaints on the 2005 RL?: Owners most often describe headlight problems, including dim or flickering low beams, adaptive headlights that dim on hills and bumps, and one report of a door panel electrical fire.
Did any 2005 RL electrical complaints involve a fire or crash?: NHTSA data for this problem area lists 1 fire and 1 crash among the 58 Electrical System complaints for the 2005 RL.