Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2001 Acura RL with NHTSA between 2001 and 2020.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 13 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 — 17
Against the median year of the Acura RL. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 43
8.3% 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 2001 Acura RL
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
541.7%
Median failure at 112,200 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
541.7%
Brakes
18.3%
Median failure at 110,000 miles
Steering
18.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 140,000 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
75,000 – 99,999 miles
116.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
466.7%
150,000+ miles
116.7%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2001 Acura RL 4-DR. w/SAB
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—
—
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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 2001peak 2Oct 2020
Recalls on the 2001 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 202001585,247 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. Note: This recall is for airbag inflators that may have been installed when the vehicle had the steering wheel airbag replaced. 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 2002084686 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain passenger vehicles, during the manufacturing process, oil was applied to the brake pedal assembly to prevent rust. This oil can leak into the brake stop switch and contaminate the electrical contacts. As a result the brake lights may not illuminate when the brakes are applied, which increases the risk of a crash. Correction: Dealers will clean any excess oil from the pedal assembly and replace the stop switch.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 140,000 milesOrlando, FLFire
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 09/06/2012
NHTSA complaint #10466785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Charlotte, NC
AIR BAGS
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL IN MARCH 2020. WHEN I CALLED THE ACURA DEALER IN CHARLOTTE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PART WOULD BE THERE IN JULY, CALLED IN JULY THEY SAID AUGUST CALLED IN SEPTEMBER AND THEY SAID THAT THE PART IS STILL NOT THERE
NHTSA complaint #11363527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 175,580 milesBrandon, FL
AIR BAGS
I CALLED ACURA TO SEE IF THE TYPE AIR BAG INFLATOR IN MY CAR USED AMMONIUM NITRATE. MY CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALLED LIST BUT GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM I WAS GOING TO REPLACE, AT LEAST THE DRIVER'S SIDE, IF THE INFLATOR WAS USING THE UNSTABLE PROPELLANT. ACURA WOULD NOT PROVIDE ME ANY INFORMATION. I CALLED NHTSA AND THEY TOLD ME TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THIS SITE TO SEE IF I CAN GET THE INFORMATION TO PROTECT MYSELF AND FAMILY REGARDLESS OF THE CORPORATE DECISION.
NHTSA complaint #10722868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesOrlando, FLFire
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 09/06/2012
NHTSA complaint #10466785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesWest Nyack, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.5RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BECAME FLAT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF MILES, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER AND THE REAR WHEELS WERE SPINNING ABNORMALLY AT DIFFERENT RATES. THE CONTACT THEN SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL BRAKING OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10355493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,663 milesGoffstown, NH
AIR BAGS
THE SRS (SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM) LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND AN ERROR CODE 15-1 AND THEY RESET THE LIGHT BUT SAID THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE SRS SYSTEM. I FOUND ANOTHER COMPLAINT (#10251604) AND HAVE THE SAME QUESTION WHY THIS IS NOT REGARDED AS A SAFETY CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #10259711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesVirginia Beach, VA
AIR BAGS
2001 ACURA RL. SRS LIGHT IS ON. DEALER CHECKED AND FOUND PROBLEM WITH OPDS UNIT AND SENSOR AND REPLACED. AFTER REPLACEMENT, RE-INITIALIZED THE SYSTEM BUT THE SRS STAYS ON. NOW, TURN OUT THAT THE SRS CONTROL UNIT IS BAD. DEALER SAID IT WILL COST APPROX $2000 TO REPLACE THE SRS CONTROL UNIT. WHY SRS CONTROL UNIT IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ITEM?
NHTSA complaint #10251604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,400 milesWinter Springs, FL
AIR BAGS
2001 ACURA 3.5 RL SRS LIGHT ELLUMINATES OPDS SENSOR OR MODULE ARE REPLACEABLE UNDER WARRANTY BUT OPDS BRAIN OR UNIT IS NOT COVERED AND THIS IS THE PART THAT IS CAUSING THE SRS LIGHT TO ELLUMINATE. DEALER SAYS IT IS FAULTY AND CAN NOT BE REPLACED FREE. SO NOW I HAVE NO AIR BAGS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10237807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
THE DIFFERENTIAL LEAKED OIL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #10008798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10006857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wakeeney, KS
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN UPSHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR INTO SECOND GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #754184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION ON THIS MODEL FAILING ACROSS THE NATION, ACURA NOT ACKNOWLEDGING.
NHTSA complaint #752983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gardena, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS, VEHICLE STALLED. TRANSIMMISON HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING & DECELERATING.
NHTSA complaint #745170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.