1998 Acura RL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
99,446 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 10.0% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 10.0% |
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 | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Rear/Other | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 1 |
Air Bags: 2; Electrical System: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 1; Seat Belts:Front: 1; Seat Belts:Rear/Other: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 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 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 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: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10029780 · 2003-07-22 (July 22, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WINDSHIELD HAS A GLARE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101140 · 2004-11-05 (November 5, 2004)
APPROXIMATELY 60 DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO REAR SEAT BELTS. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN WITH NO KEY OR PERSON REQUIRED. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. SENSORS</A>, WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD AND WIPERS HAVE NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE THEY WORK RANDOMLY OR NOT AT ALL. *TC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 99,446 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106910 · 2005-01-06 (January 6, 2005)
A SQUEAKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR LESS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO REPLACED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 77,421 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140777 · 2005-10-25 (October 25, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY TWO OF THE SEAT BELTS LOCKED AND THEY HELD THE PASSENGERS IN THE SEAT. THESE WERE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND DRIVER SIDE REAR. THE SEAT BELTS HAD TO BE UNBUCKLED AND THEN PUT BACK ON TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10140777 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255952 · 2009-01-22 (January 22, 2009)
1998 ACURA AND OTHER HONDA VEHICLES INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ON DRIVERS SIDE FAILS NOT ALLOWING DRIVERS TO EGRESS THE VEHICLE. YOU CANT OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE. THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THE VEHICLE IF SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT IS TO HAVE SOMEONE OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. ACURA REFUSES TO FIX STATING VEHICLES ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. IF VEHICLE IS STUCK FROM OPPOSITE SIDE THERE IS NO WAY TO EGRESS VEHICLE YOU ARE TRAPPED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10341626 · 2010-07-06 (July 6, 2010)
MAY 15, 2010...I HAD MY LEFT CV AXLE AND TIRE ALIGNMENT ON THE LEFT SIDE SERVICED. JULY 2, 2010 I WAS DRIVING AND MADE A LEFT TURN. ABOUT A HALF A MILE DOWN THE ROAD MY CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE COMPLETELY COLLAPSED. I THOUGHT IT WAS A TIRE BLOW OUT, BUT IT WASN'T. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND INSPECTED. DIAGNOSED: LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT CAUSED THE INCIDENT ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CURRENTLY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AS I AM TRYING TO SEE WHO'S AT FAULT IN ORDER TO GET ASSISTANCE FOR THE WORK TO BE DONE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE LOWER…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10341626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11327944 · 2020-06-09 (June 9, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11327944 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11340379 · 2020-07-20 (July 20, 2020)
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11340379 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V026000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V069000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
Reported: 1999-05-10 (May 10, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V227000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 1999-08-19 (August 19, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK POSITION WOULD NOT LOCK THE WHEELS, AND A PARKED VEHICLE COULD MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗