2001 Acura RL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
112,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 12 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
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 | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
Air Bags: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Steering: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 6 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 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2001: 3; 2003: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2015: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 752983 · 2001-10-06 (October 6, 2001)
TRANSMISSION ON THIS MODEL FAILING ACROSS THE NATION, ACURA NOT ACKNOWLEDGING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 752983 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 754184 · 2001-11-07 (November 7, 2001)
TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN UPSHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR INTO SECOND GEAR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 754184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 745170 · 2001-05-10 (May 10, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS, VEHICLE STALLED. TRANSIMMISON HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING & DECELERATING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 745170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10355493 · 2010-09-14 (September 14, 2010)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10355493 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10466785 · 2012-07-20 (July 20, 2012)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10466785 at NHTSA ↗