Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 1998 Acura RL with NHTSA between 1998 and 2020.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 15 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 — 23
Against the median year of the Acura RL. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% 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 1998 Acura RL
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
318.8%
Seat Belts
212.5%
Median failure at 99,446 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
212.5%
Median failure at 99,446 miles
Suspension
212.5%
Median failure at 77,421 miles
Body & Structure
212.5%
Median failure at 114,723 miles
Airbags
212.5%
Doors, Latches & Locks
16.3%
Median failure at 130,000 miles
Brakes
16.3%
Electrical System
16.3%
Median failure at 99,446 miles
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.
May 1998peak 4Jul 2020
Recalls on the 1998 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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2020014178,835 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, exposure to moisture over time could cause the driver-front airbag not to inflate properly in a crash. In some cases, this could cause an airbag not to fully inflate, while in others it could cause it to deploy with more force than normal. It could also cause the inflator to rupture. If the airbag inflator ruptures, small pieces of metal could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag and prevent its proper function. Safety Risk: In a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the driver-front airbag may not inflate properly or the inflator could rupture. This could create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. There may be a significant delay before replacement parts are available. The company will send you a second letter once replacement parts are available and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to inspect the driver-front airbag inflator. If the inflator requires replacement, a newly design part will be installed.
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.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Weyers Cave, VA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11340379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 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 HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11327944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madera, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
MAY 15, 2010...I HAD MY LEFT CV AXLE AND TIRE ALIGNMENT ON THE LEFT SIDE SERVICED. JULY 2, 2010 I WAS DRIVING AND MADE A LEFT TURN. ABOUT A HALF A MILE DOWN THE ROAD MY CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE COMPLETELY COLLAPSED. I THOUGHT IT WAS A TIRE BLOW OUT, BUT IT WASN'T. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND INSPECTED. DIAGNOSED: LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT CAUSED THE INCIDENT ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CURRENTLY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AS I AM TRYING TO SEE WHO'S AT FAULT IN ORDER TO GET ASSISTANCE FOR THE WORK TO BE DONE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS RECALLED DURING 1996-1999 FOR THIS PART. ALSO THE LEFT SIDE FRONT FENDER ETC IS DENTED.
NHTSA complaint #10341626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesCanton, GA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
1998 ACURA AND OTHER HONDA VEHICLES INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ON DRIVERS SIDE FAILS NOT ALLOWING DRIVERS TO EGRESS THE VEHICLE. YOU CANT OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE. THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THE VEHICLE IF SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT IS TO HAVE SOMEONE OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. ACURA REFUSES TO FIX STATING VEHICLES ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. IF VEHICLE IS STUCK FROM OPPOSITE SIDE THERE IS NO WAY TO EGRESS VEHICLE YOU ARE TRAPPED.
NHTSA complaint #10255952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesCanton, GA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1998 ACURA AND OTHER HONDA VEHICLES INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ON DRIVERS SIDE FAILS NOT ALLOWING DRIVERS TO EGRESS THE VEHICLE. YOU CANT OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE. THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THE VEHICLE IF SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT IS TO HAVE SOMEONE OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. ACURA REFUSES TO FIX STATING VEHICLES ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. IF VEHICLE IS STUCK FROM OPPOSITE SIDE THERE IS NO WAY TO EGRESS VEHICLE YOU ARE TRAPPED.
NHTSA complaint #10255952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dover, NH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
DT: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY TWO OF THE SEAT BELTS LOCKED AND THEY HELD THE PASSENGERS IN THE SEAT. THESE WERE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND DRIVER SIDE REAR. THE SEAT BELTS HAD TO BE UNBUCKLED AND THEN PUT BACK ON TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10140777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,421 milesLindenhurst, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
A SQUEAKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR LESS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10106910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,446 milesStoneville, NC
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
APPROXIMATELY 60 DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO REAR SEAT BELTS. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN WITH NO KEY OR PERSON REQUIRED. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. SENSORS</A>, WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD AND WIPERS HAVE NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE THEY WORK RANDOMLY OR NOT AT ALL. *TC
NHTSA complaint #10101140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,446 milesStoneville, NC
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
APPROXIMATELY 60 DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO REAR SEAT BELTS. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN WITH NO KEY OR PERSON REQUIRED. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. SENSORS</A>, WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD AND WIPERS HAVE NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE THEY WORK RANDOMLY OR NOT AT ALL. *TC
NHTSA complaint #10101140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,446 milesStoneville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
APPROXIMATELY 60 DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO REAR SEAT BELTS. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN WITH NO KEY OR PERSON REQUIRED. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. SENSORS</A>, WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD AND WIPERS HAVE NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE THEY WORK RANDOMLY OR NOT AT ALL. *TC
NHTSA complaint #10101140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,446 milesStoneville, NC
STRUCTURE
APPROXIMATELY 60 DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO REAR SEAT BELTS. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN WITH NO KEY OR PERSON REQUIRED. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. SENSORS</A>, WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD AND WIPERS HAVE NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE THEY WORK RANDOMLY OR NOT AT ALL. *TC
NHTSA complaint #10101140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockton, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
CONSUMER STATES THAT WINDSHIELD HAS A GLARE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10029780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Castle Hayne, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD NOT/ GO INTO GEAR OR MOVE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED IT WAS DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8013804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Castle Hayne, NC
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD NOT/ GO INTO GEAR OR MOVE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED IT WAS DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8013804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chalfont, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED AT 16552 MILES DUE TO WEAR. FRONT BRAKE PADS REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED AT 26,219 MILES DUE TO WEAR. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THESE ARE JUST "SOFTER PADS" AND IT IS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKES TO WEAR OUT THIS QUICKLY. I DON'T BUY IT. NO ONE HAS BEEN HURT-YET.
NHTSA complaint #724874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver Spring, MD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION JERKS WHILE COMING OUT OF FIRST GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #535845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.