Is the 2012 Acura RL reliable?

NHTSA lists just 1 complaint for the 2012 Acura RL, giving it a complaint index of 0, the lowest of the 9 model years with data. Reported problems are minimal compared to other RL years.

Does the 2012 Acura RL have recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2012 RL, all related to airbags, mainly Takata frontal airbag inflator replacements. None are marked do-not-drive.

What is the main problem area for the 2012 Acura RL?

The only complaint on record involves the Electrical System, accounting for 100% of reported complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 16,000 miles.

Which Acura RL years should be avoided?

Based on NHTSA data, 2005, 2006, and 2009 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 100, 88, and 75. The 2012 RL is not among the avoid years.

How does the 2012 RL compare to the 2010 RL?

The 2010 RL has a Good verdict with a complaint index of 38, while the 2012 RL has no verdict listed but scores lower still at a complaint index of 0.

2012 Acura RL Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

No verdict The 2012 Acura RL has only 1 complaint on file with NHTSA and a complaint index of 0, the lowest among the 9 model years with data, ranking 9th (least complained-about). It does carry 6 airbag-related recalls, mostly shared Takata inflator campaigns.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index: 0/100; #9 of 9 RL years
Verdict: No verdict; vs. other years of this model
Complaints: 1; unique NHTSA reports
Recalls: 6; distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes: 0; reported in complaints
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Top issue: Electrical System
Best nearby year: 2010; rated Good

NHTSA overall rating: Not rated
EPA combined MPG: 20; 17 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths: 0 / 0

2012 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 18V662000Sep 27, 2018Airbags57,095 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles nationwide. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2012 Acura RL, 2011 Honda Element and 2011-2013 Ridgeline vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the 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. Lastly, if not included above, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2011 Honda Element, 2010-2012 Acura RL and 2010-2013 Ridgeline vehicles 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 air bag 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 November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are H2H and S2I.

See all 6 recalls for the 2012 Acura RL →

2012 Acura RL fuel economy and fuel cost

City: 17 MPG
Highway: 24 MPG
Combined: 20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA): $4,000; 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.

2012 compared with other RL years

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

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Good	38	9	7	18
2011	No verdict	25	3	6	20
2012	No verdict	0	1	6	20
2015	No verdict	13	2	0	—

All Acura RL years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Acura RL reliable?: NHTSA lists just 1 complaint for the 2012 Acura RL, giving it a complaint index of 0, the lowest of the 9 model years with data. Reported problems are minimal compared to other RL years.
Does the 2012 Acura RL have recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2012 RL, all related to airbags, mainly Takata frontal airbag inflator replacements. None are marked do-not-drive.
What is the main problem area for the 2012 Acura RL?: The only complaint on record involves the Electrical System, accounting for 100% of reported complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 16,000 miles.
Which Acura RL years should be avoided?: Based on NHTSA data, 2005, 2006, and 2009 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 100, 88, and 75. The 2012 RL is not among the avoid years.
How does the 2012 RL compare to the 2010 RL?: The 2010 RL has a Good verdict with a complaint index of 38, while the 2012 RL has no verdict listed but scores lower still at a complaint index of 0.