Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2010 Acura RL with NHTSA between 2009 and 2016.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 12 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 — 14
Against the median year of the Acura RL. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 52
10% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2010 Acura RL
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
770.0%
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Lights
110.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 200 mi
Body & Structure
110.0%
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.
Dec 2009peak 4Sep 2016
Recalls on the 2010 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 2018523263,289 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator.
Recall 2016046269,201 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will inspect/replace the driver's frontal airbag inflator. Note: Honda Canada has created a special Airbag Inflator Hotline for immediate assistance. For more information, please contact: For Honda Owners: 1-877-445-7754 For Acura Owners: 1-877-445-9844
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 200 milesCanfield, OHCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA RL. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WAS MINOR VEHICLE DAMAGE. THE CONTACT HAS REPORTED THE FAILURE TO THE DEALER BUT NOT THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT IF THE BRAKES WERE NOT APPLIED A FATALITY COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
NHTSA complaint #10297711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Folsom, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - WE RECEIVED AN "IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL" NOTICE, INFORMING US OF THE DEFECTS IN PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG INFLATORS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE NATURE OF THE DEFECT IS SUCH THAT I WOULD NOT FEEL SAFE HAVING MYSELF OR A FAMILY MEMBER RIDE IN THE VEHICLE IN THE PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT SEAT. A SIMILAR RECALL NOTICE CAME OUT ABOUT THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAGS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. THAT PART WAS AVAILABLE QUICKLY, AND THE REPAIR WORK FOR THE RECALL DONE EXPEDITIOUSLY. I HAVE TO ASSUME THAT IS BECAUSE MY DEALERSHIP (OR AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CORPORATION) WAS PAYING FOR MY RENTAL CAR IN THE INTERIM. I THINK IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG FOR THIS REPAIR/RECALL TO BE ADDRESSED, AS I RECEIVED THE NOTICE AND CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE TWO MONTHS AGO. IT IS DECIDEDLY INCONVENIENT TO HAVE TO USE TWO VEHICLES TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY PLACES, AS NO ONE CAN RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT AND BE ENSURED THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, THE RISK OF DEATH OR GREAT BODILY INJURY WOULD NOT OCCUR. PLEASE TELL ME HOW I CAN GO ABOUT GETTING THIS REPAIR DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS I THINK THAT THE PRICE OF A RENTAL VEHICLE TO USE IN THE INTERIM SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE COVERED BY THE DEALER, BASED ON THE NATURE OF THE DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10908600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Powder Springs, GA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL--FIRST CALLED TO ORDER PARTS IN RECALL ( DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATORS) ON JULY 7. JUST CALLED ( SEPTEMBER 12) AND PARTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR SINCE THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG IS AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. I DO NOT FEEL THEY ARE RESPONDING IN AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF TIME TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. DEALER HAD NO IDEA WHEN PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. IT'S BEEN WELL OVER 60 DAYS SINCE I FIRST CALLED TO HAVE PARTS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10905880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Keller, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V344000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10897734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesLake Worth, FL
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL TRYING TO GET A REPLACEMENT RENTAL NO ONE RETURNS CALLS HAVE CALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS JUST GET A RUN AROUND NAPLETONS PALM BEACH ACURA DOES NOT WANT TO HELP THEY TOLD ME TO CALL ANOTHER DEALER..VERY UNPROFESSIONAL ..I REQUESTED NEW AIR BAG IN MAY 2016 AND THEY SAID NO LATTER THAN JULY...THIS IS TRUELY A POOR ORGANIZATION
NHTSA complaint #10897719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cookeville, TN
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECIEVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10895395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL: I WAS JUST NOTIFIED ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3, 2016 BY TELEPHONE BY ACURA EXECUTIVE CUSTOMER RELATIONS THAT MY PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN ORDERED. THIS WOMAN NOTIFIED ME ADDITIONALLY THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYONE SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A FAMILY CAR, A FAMILY SEDAN. I MUST HAVE AVAILABILITY OF MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT; IT CANNOT GO EMPTY. I STATED THIS TO ACURA AND REQUESTED THEY TAKE SPECIFIC ACTION BECAUSE THEY NEED TO GET ME A RENTAL VEHICLE IF NO ONE CAN SIT ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WITHOUT RISKING THEIR LIFE BECAUSE OF PROFIT DRIVEN MOTIVES BY TAKATA AND ACURA. THIS IS MY SECOND 2010 ACURA RL; THE FIRST ONE WAS TOTALED IN AN FRONT-TO-REAR-END COLLISION WHERE MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED. FORTUNATELY, THIS DEPLOYMENT DID NOT RESULT IN THE RELEASE OF METAL SHARDS. FURTHERMORE, I DROVE MY CURRENT RL AT RISK OF LOSING MY LIFE BECAUSE OF METAL SHARDS IN THE AIRBAG FOR THE DURATION UNTIL REPLACEMENT UNDER RECALL. I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN ENOUGH RISK OF LOSING MY LIFE AND/OR HEALTH AND THIS CANNOT CONTINUE. I DEMAND ACURA TAKE IMMEDIATE (I MEAN IMMEDIATE) STEPS TO GET ME A COMPARABLE RENTAL CAR. IF THEY DON'T RESPOND WITH AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION, I WILL RENT A CAR MYSELF AND WILL SUBMIT THE BILL TO ACURA FOR CHARGES INCURRED. SINCE THAT TELEPHONE CALL, I WENT THROUGH MY UNOPENED MAIL AND DISCOVERED THE RECALL NOTICE; THE LETTER IS DATED "JULY 2016". IT IS INTERESTING THIS COMPANY IS NOT CAPABLE OF INSTALLING AN ACTUAL DATE ON THE LETTERHEAD AND IS ALLOWED TO SIMPLY STATE AN ENTIRE MONTH. IN THAT LETTER, COMPLAINT PROCEDURES ARE EXPLAINED TO INCLUDE THAT I MAY FILE A COMPLAINT AFTER 60 DAYS. I SPOKE WITH MY OAKLAND ACURA DEALER WHO HAS MY RECALL PART ON ORDER AND HE SAID IT WOULD BE 3-4 WEEKS AT LEAST AND LIKELY MORE UNTIL A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG IS AVAILABLE FOR INSTALLATION. AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION IS REQUIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10893687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mckinney, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/28/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10889031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Bern, NC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2010 ACURA RL. CONSUMER STATES FAULT WITH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT DESIGN WHICH RESULTS IN A SERIOUS LACK OF VISION BEYOND 30 YARDS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT ON A RURAL ROAD AS HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE A DETOUR SIGN DUE TO ROAD FLOODING UNTIL IT WAS ALMOST TOO LATE TO STOP. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE TOP OF THE FENDER DESIGN SEEMED TO ACT AS A HOOD WHICH OBSCURED ALL OF THE ROADWAY BEYOND THIRTY FEET.
NHTSA complaint #10366295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Bern, NC
STRUCTURE
2010 ACURA RL. CONSUMER STATES FAULT WITH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT DESIGN WHICH RESULTS IN A SERIOUS LACK OF VISION BEYOND 30 YARDS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT ON A RURAL ROAD AS HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE A DETOUR SIGN DUE TO ROAD FLOODING UNTIL IT WAS ALMOST TOO LATE TO STOP. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE TOP OF THE FENDER DESIGN SEEMED TO ACT AS A HOOD WHICH OBSCURED ALL OF THE ROADWAY BEYOND THIRTY FEET.
NHTSA complaint #10366295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200 milesCanfield, OHCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA RL. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WAS MINOR VEHICLE DAMAGE. THE CONTACT HAS REPORTED THE FAILURE TO THE DEALER BUT NOT THE MANUFACTURER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT IF THE BRAKES WERE NOT APPLIED A FATALITY COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
NHTSA complaint #10297711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.