1999 Acura RL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
92,751 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 22 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
Air Bags: 6; Electrical System: 2; Power Train: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 7 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2001: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10201954 · 2007-09-05 (September 5, 2007)
ENGINE QUIT WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF FAILURE OF EFI RELAY WHICH CUT OFF POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. PART WAS REPLACED - OLD PART NOT AVAILABLE. 1) I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT INTO A LOCAL STREET WHEN THE ENGINE DIED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC NEAR AND I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR BACK INTO AN ADJACENT LOT. 2) HOWEVER, IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY JUST ONE BLOCK AWAY, I WOULD HAVE LOST POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AND HAVE BEEN IN MUCH HEAVIER TRAFFIC, WHICH COULD EASILY HAVE LED TO A HIGH-SPEED COLLISION. 3…
Owner-reported narrative. 81,395 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10721483 · 2015-05-26 (May 26, 2015)
HONDA / ACURA IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE BELOW EXTENDED WARRANTY (S/B 06-008) ON MY VEHICLE (WHICH IS WITHIN STATED MILEAGE LIMITS BUT OUTSIDE THE ARBITRARY TIME LIMITS) WHICH HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATING THE INDICATED PROBLEM WITH THE OPDS FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR. THEIR FILE NUMBER IS B012015-05-2601760.THEIR STATED SOLUTION IS FOR ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS! THEY (MELISA) STATES I NEED TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSIS AT AN ACURA DEALER WITH ABSOLUTELY NO ASSURANCE OF A REIMBURSEMENT OR A FACTORY PAID REPAIR. AS THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAULT IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 128,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721483 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10526078 · 2013-07-22 (July 22, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A GRITTY LIQUID BEGAN TO SECRETE FROM THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE LIQUID SPLATTERED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT SEATS AND BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE THE LEATHER WHERE IT WAS NOT WIPED AWAY. THE LIQUID ALSO CAUSED IRRITATION TO THE CONTACT'S SKIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 144,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10526078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 888381 · 2001-05-16 (May 16, 2001)
WHILE FEEDING THE FUEL TANK FLAMES CAME OUT OF FUEL TANK.CONSUMER FAST RECAPED THE TANK, AND FIRE WAS PUT OUT. CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL SAFE IN VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 888381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454661 · 2012-04-10 (April 10, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LOUD NOISE AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V227000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 138,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 138,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454661 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10910110 · 2016-09-27 (September 27, 2016)
CAR HAD ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THE ODOMETER KEEP HAVING EQUAL NUMBERS ALOT OF THE TIME. ALSO ACCELERATION KEPT CHANGING ON ITS OWN. AS I WAS DRIVING AND ALSO ON THE HIGHWAY GOING TOWARDS OREGON. IN JULY OF 2016. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10910110 at NHTSA ↗