2004 Acura RL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
104,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 11 complaints (45.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 27.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System) | 1 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
Electrical System: 5; Air Bags: 2; Steering: 2; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1; Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System): 1; Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 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 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
2004: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 3; 2017: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 10495311 · 2013-01-31 (January 31, 2013)
(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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10495311 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10629860 · 2014-09-01 (September 1, 2014)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10629860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10945358 · 2017-01-15 (January 15, 2017)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 131,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10945358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11040280 · 2017-10-26 (October 26, 2017)
THE POWER STEERING LINE IS POURING OUT THE FLUID AND BURNS UNDER THE CAR CAUSING SMOKE
Owner-reported narrative. 122,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11040280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481005 · 2012-10-18 (October 18, 2012)
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 SU…
Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481005 at NHTSA ↗