2009 Acura RL Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Acura RL ranks 3rd worst of 9 model years, with a complaint index of 75 and 6 airbag-related recalls. Owners most often reported airbag, brake, and engine problems, with a median failure mileage of 45,160 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #3 of 9 RL years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 8
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2009 Acura RL problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags3 (38%)
- Brakes2 (25%)
- Engine2 (25%)
- Fuel System2 (25%)
- Structure & Body2 (25%)
- Electrical System1 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (13%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the brake pedal feeling like it engages the accelerator at the same time, in one case causing an impact with a parked car.
- One driver reported the car failed to brake properly at a green light, leading to a collision where only the driver airbag deployed and doors would not open afterward.
- A front passenger door handle reportedly began smoking and burning, melting part of the handle and disabling electrical systems including the ability to start the car.
- Water was reported pooling in the wheel wells during rain, creating puddles that caused a driver to slip while walking near the vehicle.
- Some owners who received Takata airbag recall notices said replacement parts were unavailable for an extended period despite requesting repair.
2009 Acura RL recalls
6 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 18V041000Jan 9, 2018Airbags24,945 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura RL, 2010 Honda Element, and 2010-2013 Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of 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, Honda is recalling certain 2010 Acura RL, 2010-2011 Honda Element and Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." If not included in zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura RL, Honda Element, and Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher 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 air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are U0H, and G0I.
2009 Acura RL fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 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.
2009 compared with other RL years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Acura RL a good year to buy?
- It is rated Avoid relative to other RL model years. It has a complaint index of 75, the third-worst of the 9 RL years tracked, and 6 open recall campaigns, all involving airbags.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Acura RL?
- NHTSA complaints show airbags as the top problem area at 38% share, followed by brakes, engine, fuel system, and structure/body issues each at 25% share.
- Does the 2009 Acura RL have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2009 RL, all related to Takata airbag inflators on both driver and passenger sides.
- How does the 2009 RL compare to other RL years?
- The 2009 RL's complaint index of 75 is worse than the 2010 RL (38, rated Good) and the 2007-2008 RL (63 and 50, rated Caution), but better than the 2005 RL (100, rated Avoid).
- At what mileage do 2009 Acura RL problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure across reported complaints is 45,160 miles, though individual problem areas vary, with airbag issues reported at a median of 55,000 miles.