Owners have filed 26 complaints
about the 1996 Acura RL with NHTSA between 1997 and 2018.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 15 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 38
Against the median year of the Acura RL. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 79
15.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1996 Acura RL
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
623.1%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
Brakes
623.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 144,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
415.4%
Median failure at 193,200 miles
Electrical System
311.5%
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 125,500 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
311.5%
Airbags
27.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Other & Unspecified
13.8%
Body & Structure
13.8%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
111.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
111.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
444.4%
150,000+ miles
333.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 1997peak 3Jul 2018
Recalls on the 1996 Acura RL
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
06E049000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
99V227000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Risk: 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.
99V069000
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19991565,689 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, the transmission case bolt which allows service access to disconnect the differential from the transmission could loosen and fall out. If the bolt falls out, the extension shaft could disengage from the differential, disconnecting the drive train between the transmission and the differential. This could cause the vehicle to lose power to the drive wheels without warning. Also, shifting to the PARK position would not lock the wheels, and a parked vehicle could move unexpectedly if the parking brake is not set. Correction: An updated transmission case bolt (with an o-ring instead of thread lock/sealer) will be installed on affected vehicles.
Recall 199910110,190 units in Canada
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the front suspension lower ball joints may prematurely wear out due to improper finishing of the surface of the spherical portion of the ball joints between the front lower arm and knuckle. Although a loosening ball joint will emit some noise, in the worst case the ball joint may separate without prior warning. A separated ball joint can result in an apparent sudden loss of power, reduced steering control and a possible crash. Correction: The front suspension lower ball joints will be replaced.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 179,000 milesMacon, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* CONTACT OWNS A 1996 ACURA RL. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A STRONG BURNING ODOR WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DIMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 179,000.
NHTSA complaint #10882156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,500 milesIrmo, SCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 ACURA 3.5RL. ON OCTOBER 22, 2007, THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED SMOKE. SHE THEN HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD BURNED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,500.
NHTSA complaint #10206675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,000 milesSeattle, WACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO STRIKE A POST. DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER DID NOT AGREE.
NHTSA complaint #10103681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION OF 40 MPH IN WHICH BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #857448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Willingboro, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ; LOCKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING. FREQUENT ALARMS.
NHTSA complaint #11114116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bryn Mawr, PA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10972087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 179,000 milesMacon, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* CONTACT OWNS A 1996 ACURA RL. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A STRONG BURNING ODOR WAS NOTICED COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DIMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 179,000.
NHTSA complaint #10882156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 193,200 milesAlexandria, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN DRIVING NORMALLY, THE ENGINE WILL COMPLETELY DIE, AS IF THE IGNITION HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. THE CODE SET INDICATES MISFIRE ON ALL CYLINDERS. STARTS AGAIN IMMEDIATELY, BUT DOES NOT ALWAYS CONTINUE TO RUN. THIS WILL HAPPEN NUMEROUS TIMES THEN NOT AGAIN FOR DAYS. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TESTS OK, FUEL PRESSURE TEST OK, TOO.
NHTSA complaint #10442629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 193,200 milesAlexandria, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN DRIVING NORMALLY, THE ENGINE WILL COMPLETELY DIE, AS IF THE IGNITION HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. THE COSE SET IN OBD II INDICATED MISFIRE ON ALL CYLINDERS. IT STARTS AGAIN IMMEDIATELY, BUT DOES NOT ALWAYS CONTINUE TO RUN. THIS WILL HAPPEN NUMEROUS TIMES PER DAY, SEVERAL DAYS IN A ROW, THEN NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TESTS COMPLETELY OK. FUEL PRESSURE TESTS ARE OK TOO. CAR IS AT GOSS' GARAGE IN SEABROOK, MD, PHONE 301-577-9200.
NHTSA complaint #10442640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesSpringfied, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10353975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,500 milesIrmo, SCFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 ACURA 3.5RL. ON OCTOBER 22, 2007, THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED SMOKE. SHE THEN HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD BURNED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,500.
NHTSA complaint #10206675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,000 milesUpper Marlboro, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN I FIRST START VEHICLE I HEAR A NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEAR THE FIREWALL. THE NOISE SOUNDED FOR A 20 TO 30 SECONDS, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ABS SYSTEMS WENT OUT. WHEN THE NOISE WAS SHORT THE ABS SYSTEM WENT OUT AFTER A MILE OR TWO DRIVE. DURING THE MILE OR TWO DRIVE. I HEARD THE SAME NOISE OFF AND ON UNTIL THE ABS SYSTEM EVENTUALLY WENT OUT. THIS FIRST OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2006.
NHTSA complaint #10190864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBaltimore, MD
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON MY 1996 ACURA 3.5 RL ARE BROKEN ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR WINDOWS. BEFORE THE REGULATORS BROKE, THE WINDOW WOULD COME UP SLOWLY AND STOP ALMOST TO THE TOP. AFTER A LITTLE WHILE, I HAD TO PULL THE WINDOW UP THE REST OF THE WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10166540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,000 milesSeattle, WACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO STRIKE A POST. DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER DID NOT AGREE.
NHTSA complaint #10103681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
NAR 1/15/2003. THE LEFT REAR AND RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD USED THE WINDOW NO MORE THAN 60 TO 75 TIMES SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE AND A WINDOW REGULATOR SHOULD NOT FAIL IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE DEALER DID REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH HAD SINCE EXPIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY, EVEN THOUGH THEY ADMITTED THE REGULATORS WERE PRONE TO FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10003929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
High Point, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THIS PREVIOUSLY-OWNED RL, I HEARD A SQUEALING NOISE THAT I THOUGHT WAS COMING FROM THE A/C AND REPORTED IT TO MY DEALER WHO COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. THE NEXT TIME I HEARD THIS NOISE MY WINDOWS WERE DOWN AND THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD, IT ECHOED OFF SURROUNDING BUILDINGS. I HIT MY BRAKES TO PULL OVER AND INVESTIGATE AND THE NOISE STOPPED. REPORTED TO DEALER BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. THIS NOISE STILL POPS UP FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT GOES AWAY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. NOISE IS A SQUEALING/HISSING SOUND THAT EMINATES FROM THE ABS AREA UNDER MY HOOD NEXT TO THE FIREWALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, ABS LIGHTS HAVEN'T ILLUMINATED DURING THE EVET AT ANY TIME, YET.
NHTSA complaint #10028480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,300 milesCincinnati, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN I FIRST START MY CAR, I HEAR A NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE FIRE WALL. WHEN THE NOISE SOUNDS FOR A 20 TO 30 SECOND PERIOD, THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ABS SYSTEMS GOES OUT. WHEN THE NOISE IS SHORT (5 SECOND BURSTS OF SOUND), THE ABS SYSTEM GOES OUT AFTER A MILE OR TWO DRIVE. DURING THE MILE OR TWO DRIVE, I HEAR THE SAME NOISE OFF AND ON UNTIL THE ABS SYSTEM EVENTUALLY GOES OUT. THIS FIRST OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 24, 2002. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10010178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Paso, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFTER RECALL#99V227000 WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE REMAINED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. PH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING, VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE, EXTENSION SHAFT AND SECONDARY DRIVE GEAR WAS WORN. A TRANSMISSION WAS ADDED, AND THE BROKEN DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10006705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Paso, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
AFTER RECALL#99V227000 WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE REMAINED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. PH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING, VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE, EXTENSION SHAFT AND SECONDARY DRIVE GEAR WAS WORN. A TRANSMISSION WAS ADDED, AND THE BROKEN DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10006705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Paso, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER RECALL#99V227000 WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE REMAINED EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. PH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING, VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE, EXTENSION SHAFT AND SECONDARY DRIVE GEAR WAS WORN. A TRANSMISSION WAS ADDED, AND THE BROKEN DOOR HANDLE WAS REPLACED. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10006705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE 5/2000 AND 11/2002. FEEL THIS IS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. DT
NHTSA complaint #770024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Island, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER STATED THAT AS VEHICLE STARTED HE HEARD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, WHERE SYSTEM-SUPPLEMENTING ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE NOISE COMES ON EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, 10 DAYS LATER ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON CONTINUOUSLY.
NHTSA complaint #564316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Island, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER STATED THAT AS VEHICLE STARTED HE HEARD NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, WHERE SYSTEM-SUPPLEMENTING ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE NOISE COMES ON EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, 10 DAYS LATER ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON CONTINUOUSLY.
NHTSA complaint #564316 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
FAILED LEFT FRONT, LEFT BACK, RIGHT BACK WINDOW REGULATORS WITH IN 3 MONTHS I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT , BUT ACURA IS NOT ADMITTING
NHTSA complaint #750159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
FAILED LEFT FRONT, LEFT BACK, RIGHT BACK WINDOW REGULATORS WITH IN 3 MONTHS I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT , BUT ACURA IS NOT ADMITTING
NHTSA complaint #750159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lacrescent, MN
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOWS ON FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WORK ERRATICALLY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #882215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TXCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION OF 40 MPH IN WHICH BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPOY. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #857448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glenview, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
THE CONSUMER HAS A RECALL LETTER FOR THE TRANSMISSION/RANSFER CASE. UPON CONTACTING THE DREALER CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO REPLACEMENT PARTS, AND COULD NOT BE ADVISED ON WHEN THERE WOULD BE. MFR RECALL #K68.
NHTSA complaint #847613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Davenport, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE BLEW UP AS CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE. WILL SEND IN MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #847247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.