Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2004 Acura RL with NHTSA between 2004 and 2017.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 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 — 65
12.5% 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 2004 Acura RL
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
531.3%
Median failure at 95,500 miles
Equipment & Accessories
212.5%
Median failure at 101,000 miles
Steering
212.5%
Median failure at 126,500 miles
Airbags
212.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 107,000 mi
Doors, Latches & Locks
16.3%
Median failure at 82,000 miles
Stability & Traction Control
16.3%
Median failure at 122,000 miles
Lights
16.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.3%
Median failure at 122,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
16.3%
Median failure at 82,000 miles
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.
Side barrier crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2004 Acura 3.5 RL 4-DR. w/SAB
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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.
Sep 2004peak 4Oct 2017
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 107,000 milesWoodbury Heights, NJCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
MY WIFE WAS ENTERING A BEND IN THE ROAD AND CAME UPON A CAR STOPPED IN HER LANE, WITH NO BRAKES LIGHTS!!! SHE ATTEMPTED TO SWERVE TO THE SHOULDER BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. SHE IMPACTED THE CAR IN THE REAR, SLIGHTLY OFFSET TO THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE. THE FRONT OF HER CAR IMPACTED SLIGHTLY OFFSET TO THE LEFT (DRIVER'S) SIDE. SHE BRACED FOR IMPACT WITH HER LEFT HAND ON THE WHEEL. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG (EMPTY SEAT!) DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT!! THE FULL FORCE OF THE IMPACT WAS ABSORBED BY HER HAND, SHATTERING HER WRIST. SHE NEEDS SURGERY TO PIECE IT BACK TOGETHER AND THE SURGEON ESTIMATES A 12-18 MONTH RECOVERY TIME. SHE'S A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER WITH ~20 YEARS EXPERIENCE AND DRIVES A SCHOOL BUS FOR A LIVING. NO WAY SHOULD HER AIRBAG NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. HER CAREER AND OUR FINANCIAL WELL BEING IS IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF HER INJURY. I'VE NEVER SUED ANYONE IN MY LIFE AND DON'T CARE FOR THE PRACTICE, BUT I DON'T SEE HOW I CAN'T, THIS IS JUST NOT RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10481005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 122,000 milesWinterhaven, CA
POWER TRAIN
THE POWER STEERING LINE IS POURING OUT THE FLUID AND BURNS UNDER THE CAR CAUSING SMOKE
NHTSA complaint #11040280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesWinterhaven, CA
STEERING
THE POWER STEERING LINE IS POURING OUT THE FLUID AND BURNS UNDER THE CAR CAUSING SMOKE
NHTSA complaint #11040280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesWinterhaven, CA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
THE POWER STEERING LINE IS POURING OUT THE FLUID AND BURNS UNDER THE CAR CAUSING SMOKE
NHTSA complaint #11040280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,000 milesFort Worth, TX
STEERING
FAILURE OF POWER STEERING TILT/REACH. POWER STEERING TILT/REACH STOPPED WORKING. THE GEARS ACURA HAVE USED ARE PLASTIC AND FRAGILE. ACURA DOES NOT SELL THE GEARS, THEY WANT PEOPLE TO BUY NEW STEERING COLUMN. ONE PERSON CAN GET STEERING POSITIONED AT COMFORTABLE PLACE BUT THEN IF A PERSON OF DIFFERENT SIZE HAS TO DRIVE HE/SHE GETS TIRED THAT CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENT AND FATALITY. SEARCHING WEB SHOWS THAT PROBLEM IS COMMON IN ACURA RLS. ACURA SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE ASAP.
NHTSA complaint #10945358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,200 milesBelmont, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BLINKED RIGHT AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR. I KNEW I HAD A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE DOOR LOCKS WOULDN'T WORK. I TRIED TO RE-ENGAGE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO OPEN THE DOOR LOCKS, BUT THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ELECTRICALLY DEAD. I TRIED A COUPLE MORE TIMES TO START THE CAR, BUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I SAT IN THE CAR A COUPLE MINUTES WITHOUT TOUCHING ANYTHING. I TRIED ONCE AGAIN TO START THE CAR AND IT WORKED. ALL THE RADIO AND NAV SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE RESET. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 MORE TIMES OVER 3 MONTHS. EACH THE SAME WAY. AS I PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, IT BLINKED AND ELECTRICALLY FAILED. LAST TWO TIMES BEING ONLY 5 DAYS APART. SO IT'S HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND CLOSER TOGETHER. I HAD MY MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR. HE'D NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAD NO CLUE AS TO HOW OR WHY IT HAPPENED. HE EXAMINED THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND FOUND NADA. SO FAR, IT HAS NOT RE-OCCURRED 3 WEEKS AFTER BEING LOOKED AT. FRUSTRATING, CONCERNING.
NHTSA complaint #10639769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesBoynton Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I TRIED STARTING MY CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY BATTERY WENT DEAD. ALL THE GADGETS ON MY DASH AND NOT ONE COULD TELL ME MY BATTERY WAS DYING OR LOW ON CHARGE. SO I CALL AAA AND THEY REPLACE THE BATTERY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR IS WORKING BETTER AND MY AC IS WORKING BETTER. ALL THE TIMES I COMPLAINED TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP THAT MY AC WAS NOT COOLING PROPERLY IN THIS FLORIDA HEAT AND THEY CHECK IT AND THEY TELL ME IT'S WORKING JUST FINE. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I GET A NEW BATTERY AND MY AC IS WORKING MUCH BETTER AND NOW MY CAR IS REALLY COOLING DOWN. NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME LOW BATTERY. A CAR WITH ALL THESE ELECTRONICS AND NO WARNING AND THE ACURA DEALERSHIP IN DELRAY BEACH CHECKED IT OUT NUMEROUS TIME AND DID NOT KNOW THAT THE AC WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY BECAUSE THE CAR NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. SHAME ON ACURA.
NHTSA complaint #10629860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesBoynton Beach, FL
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
MY DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AND I'M UNSURE WHETHER IT'S THE SWITCH OR THE ACTUATOR. HONDA'S AND ACURA'S ARE SYNONYMOUS WITH MALFUNCTIONING ACTUATORS.FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO FIX DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS NUMEROUS TIMES. MY DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING, MY WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING EVERY SINGLE YEAR THAT I HAVE OWNER THIS CAR. I PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY SO THEY COULD FIX MY DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS EVERY YEAR. IT'S RIDICULOUS THE PRICES THEY CHARGE FOR THIS CAR AND THEY CAN'T MAKE IT LAST MORE THAN 1 YEAR. THE ACURA DEALERSHIP SHOWED ME, THAT ALL THE PARTS ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND THEY WEAR. AS LONG AS IT'S UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, I HAVE TO KEEP PAYING A DEDUCTIBLE AND BRINGING IT IN FOR THEM TO FIX.
NHTSA complaint #10629858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesBoynton Beach, FL
ENGINE
I TRIED STARTING MY CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY BATTERY WENT DEAD. ALL THE GADGETS ON MY DASH AND NOT ONE COULD TELL ME MY BATTERY WAS DYING OR LOW ON CHARGE. SO I CALL AAA AND THEY REPLACE THE BATTERY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR IS WORKING BETTER AND MY AC IS WORKING BETTER. ALL THE TIMES I COMPLAINED TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP THAT MY AC WAS NOT COOLING PROPERLY IN THIS FLORIDA HEAT AND THEY CHECK IT AND THEY TELL ME IT'S WORKING JUST FINE. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I GET A NEW BATTERY AND MY AC IS WORKING MUCH BETTER AND NOW MY CAR IS REALLY COOLING DOWN. NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME LOW BATTERY. A CAR WITH ALL THESE ELECTRONICS AND NO WARNING AND THE ACURA DEALERSHIP IN DELRAY BEACH CHECKED IT OUT NUMEROUS TIME AND DID NOT KNOW THAT THE AC WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY BECAUSE THE CAR NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. SHAME ON ACURA.
NHTSA complaint #10629860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, GA
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG OR SRS(SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM) LIGHT IS ON MY 2004 ACURA RL WHEN BUYING THE CAR I DON'T NOTICE THE LIGHT WAS ON UNTIL I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT AND BILL OF SALES WAS FINAL AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSE SINCE I BROUGHT THE CAR RIGHT BEFORE CLOSING TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10525344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesHoffman Estates, IL
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE DVD NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THE RL IS BURNING OUT THE DVD DISK AND CAUSING THE NAVIGATION TO STOP WORKING. THE GPS LOCATOR ON THE SCREEN HAD MY VEHICLE NOWHERE NEAR THE ACTUAL LOCATION. THE NAVIGATION VOICE WOULD GIVE COMMAND TO MAKE A TURN WHERE NO ROAD EXISTED. I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE FAILURE OF THE DVD DRIVE IN THE CAR IS A MORE COMMON EVENT AS I READ THE ACURA FORUMS. HTTP://TSX.ACURAZINE.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=676588.
NHTSA complaint #10509009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesHoffman Estates, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DVD NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THE RL IS BURNING OUT THE DVD DISK AND CAUSING THE NAVIGATION TO STOP WORKING. THE GPS LOCATOR ON THE SCREEN HAD MY VEHICLE NOWHERE NEAR THE ACTUAL LOCATION. THE NAVIGATION VOICE WOULD GIVE COMMAND TO MAKE A TURN WHERE NO ROAD EXISTED. I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE FAILURE OF THE DVD DRIVE IN THE CAR IS A MORE COMMON EVENT AS I READ THE ACURA FORUMS. HTTP://TSX.ACURAZINE.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=676588.
NHTSA complaint #10509009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE DVD NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THE RL IS BURNING OUT THE DVD DISK AND CAUSING THE NAVIGATION TO STOP WORKING. THE GPS LOCATOR ON THE SCREEN HAD MY VEHICLE NOWHERE NEAR THE ACTUAL LOCATION. THE NAVIGATION VOICE WOULD GIVE COMMAND TO MAKE A TURN WHERE NO ROAD EXISTED. I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THE FAILURE OF THE DVD DRIVE IN THE CAR IS A MORE COMMON EVENT AS I READ THE ACURA FORUMS. HTTP://TSX.ACURAZINE.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=676588.
NHTSA complaint #10509009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesHoffman Estates, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
(10/18/12 APPROXIMATELY) THE ALARM SYSTEM WENT OFF RANDOMLY AND THE REMOTE FOB FAILED TO OPERATE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS CYCLING ON AND OFF AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY WOULD REMAIN LIT. IT WAS A STORMY NIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED SO I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE ALARM SENSOR BEING OVER SENSITIVE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. ON 1/29/13 THE VEHICLE ALARM ACTIVATED AGAIN RANDOMLY AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESET WITH THE KEYLESS FOB. ON THE MORNING OF 1/30/13 THE VEHICLE FOB FAILED TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY LIGHTS WERE ON WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE STARTED AND AFTER A 20 MINUTE DRIVE AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE THE DASHBOARD LIGHT WENT OFF AS THE SHOULD. ON THE EVENING OF 1/30/13 THE VEHICLE KEYLESS ENTRY OPERATED CORRECTLY HAVING NOT FUNCTIONED EARLIER IN THE DAY. LATER ON THAT SAME EVENING (1/30/13) THE ALARM ACTIVATED. IT COULD NOT BE RESET BY THE KEYLESS FOB AND THE KEY NEEDED TO BE USED IN THE DOOR TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE WHICH DEACTIVATED THE ALARM. THE VEHICLE WAS RE-LOCKED WITH THE KEY AND APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES LATER I WENT OUT AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON AND THE ALARM WAS NOT SOUNDING. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT FLASHING BUT REMAINED ON CONTINUOUSLY. I TURNED THE HEADLIGHT CONTROL FROM 'AUTO' TO 'OFF AND THE LIGHT TURN OFF BUT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS REMAINED LIT. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND GOT NO RESPONSE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE FUSE BOX IN THE DRIVER WELL I FOUND WATER IN THE FUSE BOX AND A DRIP COMING FROM SATURATED INSULATION ABOVE. PRESSING ON THE INSULATION RESULT IN A FLOW OF WATER. A SIMILAR SITUATION DOCUMENTED IN THE ACURA SERVICE BULLETIN 98-028 MAY BED A SIMILAR PROBLEM NOW OCCURRING IN THE 2004 MODEL. ELECTRICAL FAILURES COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE SYSTEMS TO SHUT DOWN OR MALFUNCTION DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN SERIOUS IF NOT FATAL INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #10495311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesWoodbury Heights, NJCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
MY WIFE WAS ENTERING A BEND IN THE ROAD AND CAME UPON A CAR STOPPED IN HER LANE, WITH NO BRAKES LIGHTS!!! SHE ATTEMPTED TO SWERVE TO THE SHOULDER BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. SHE IMPACTED THE CAR IN THE REAR, SLIGHTLY OFFSET TO THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE. THE FRONT OF HER CAR IMPACTED SLIGHTLY OFFSET TO THE LEFT (DRIVER'S) SIDE. SHE BRACED FOR IMPACT WITH HER LEFT HAND ON THE WHEEL. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG (EMPTY SEAT!) DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT!! THE FULL FORCE OF THE IMPACT WAS ABSORBED BY HER HAND, SHATTERING HER WRIST. SHE NEEDS SURGERY TO PIECE IT BACK TOGETHER AND THE SURGEON ESTIMATES A 12-18 MONTH RECOVERY TIME. SHE'S A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER WITH ~20 YEARS EXPERIENCE AND DRIVES A SCHOOL BUS FOR A LIVING. NO WAY SHOULD HER AIRBAG NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. HER CAREER AND OUR FINANCIAL WELL BEING IS IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF HER INJURY. I'VE NEVER SUED ANYONE IN MY LIFE AND DON'T CARE FOR THE PRACTICE, BUT I DON'T SEE HOW I CAN'T, THIS IS JUST NOT RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10481005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
C, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #10091312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mystic, CT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
XEON HIGHLIGHTS ON HIGH END AUTOMOBILES ARE BLINDING AND LEAVE RETINAL SPOTS. DID ANYONE CHECK THESE LIGHTS BEFORE THEY WERE APPROVED?
NHTSA complaint #10091228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
