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1999 Acura Rl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 24 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

24 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2021
Air Bags

1999 ACURA RL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11389115

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2020
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED RADLEY ACURA (5823 COLUMBI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED RADLEY ACURA (5823 COLUMBIA PIKE, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22041, (703) 824-5700) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11337625

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2020
Air Bags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. COURTESY ACURA (3701 NICHOLASVILLE…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. COURTESY ACURA (3701 NICHOLASVILLE RD, LEXINGTON, KY 40503) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11325999

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2016
Electrical System

CAR HAD ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THE ODOMETER KEEP HAVING EQUAL NUMBERS ALOT OF THE TIME. ALSO ACCELERATION KEPT CHANGING ON ITS OWN. AS I WAS DRIVING AND ALSO ON THE HIGHWAY GOING TOWARDS OREGON. IN JULY OF 2016. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10910110

125,000 miles · Sep 7, 2016
Air Bags

SRS LIGHT ILLUMIMATED. TOOK TO ACURA DEALER, STATED OPDS SENSOR AND/OR OPDS UNIT FAILURE. $1200-$1600 TO REPLACE 1 OR 2 UNITS. AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN EVENT OF IMPACT. THIS IS TOTALLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ODI #10904413

128,000 miles · May 26, 2015
Air Bags

HONDA / ACURA IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE BELOW EXTENDED WARRANTY (S/B 06-008) ON MY VEHICLE (WHICH IS WITHIN STATED MILEAGE LIMITS BUT OUTSIDE THE ARBITRARY TIME LIMITS) WHICH HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATING THE INDICATED PROBLEM WITH THE OPDS FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR. THEIR FILE NUMBER IS B012015-05-2601760.THEIR STATED SOLUTION IS FOR ME TO PA…

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HONDA / ACURA IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE BELOW EXTENDED WARRANTY (S/B 06-008) ON MY VEHICLE (WHICH IS WITHIN STATED MILEAGE LIMITS BUT OUTSIDE THE ARBITRARY TIME LIMITS) WHICH HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATING THE INDICATED PROBLEM WITH THE OPDS FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR. THEIR FILE NUMBER IS B012015-05-2601760.THEIR STATED SOLUTION IS FOR ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS! THEY (MELISA) STATES I NEED TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSIS AT AN ACURA DEALER WITH ABSOLUTELY NO ASSURANCE OF A REIMBURSEMENT OR A FACTORY PAID REPAIR. AS THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAULT IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS FAULT PUBLISHED ON LINE IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE MANUFACTURER TO MAKE REPAIRS. IT APPEARS TO ME THEY COVERED UP WHAT SHOULD BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL WITH THE EXPIRED EXTENDED WARRANTY. HTTP://ACURAZINE.COM/FORUMS/PROBLEMS-FIXES-70/SRS-INDICATOR-LIGHT-WARRANTY-EXTENSION-478199/ HTTPS://REPAIRPAL.COM/SENSOR-PROBLEMS-IN-ABS-MAY-CAUSE-SRS-LIGHT-TO-TURN-ON-519 DATE: APRIL 5, 2006 TO: ALL ACURA SALES, SERVICE & PARTS MANAGERS FROM: AMERICAN HONDA SERVICE DIVISION RE: WARRANTY EXTENSION ANNOUNCEMENT ON MARCH 2, 2006, WE ANNOUNCED AN OPDS (OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM) WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR CERTAIN 200103 3.2CLS, 200102 MDXS, 199903 3.5RLS, SELECTED 2004 RLS, 200204 RSXS, AND 200003 3.2TLS. SOME AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE OPDS THAT CAUSES THE SRS INDICATOR TO STAY ON WITH ONE OR MORE SRS DTCS. TO ENSURE CONTINUED RELIABILITY WITH THE OPDS, AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE OPDS UNIT AND THE OPDS SENSOR. THESE PARTS ARE NOW COVERED FOR 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION ... FOR DETAILED REPAIR, VIN, AND WARRANTY INFORMATION, SEE S/B 06-008, WARRANTY EXTENSION: OPDS UNIT OR OPDS SENSOR TRIGGERS SRS DTC(S) 15-1, 15-2, 15-3.

NHTSA ODI #10721483

144,000 miles · Jul 22, 2013
VisibilityInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A GRITTY LIQUID BEGAN TO SECRETE FROM THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE LIQUID SPLATTERED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT SEATS AND BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE THE LEATHER WHERE IT WAS NOT WIPED AWAY. THE LIQUID ALSO CAUSED IRRITATION TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A GRITTY LIQUID BEGAN TO SECRETE FROM THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE LIQUID SPLATTERED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT SEATS AND BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE THE LEATHER WHERE IT WAS NOT WIPED AWAY. THE LIQUID ALSO CAUSED IRRITATION TO THE CONTACT'S SKIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ODI #10526078

170,000 miles · Jan 2, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD NOISE AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD NOISE AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10490803

138,000 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LOUD NOISE AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V227000 (POWER T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LOUD NOISE AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V227000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 138,000.

NHTSA ODI #10454661

17,000 miles · Feb 24, 2009
Air BagsElectrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA 3.5RL. APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUSES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED APP…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA 3.5RL. APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUSES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY FOUR WEEKS LATER. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS. IN APRIL OF 2008, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE INFORMING HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM (OPDS) REPLACED. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY ONLY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SENSOR, BUT NOT THE CONTROL UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE SRS INDICATOR BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ODI #10259745

Official recalls

2

20V026000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 17, 2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

99V227000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Aug 19, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK POSITION WOULD NOT LOCK THE WHEELS, AND A PARKED VEHICLE COULD MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.