1999 Acura RL: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10041600 · 2003-10-10 (October 10, 2003)
THE LEFT UPPER CONTROL ARM BREAKS WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF IMPACT TO CAUSE IT TO BREAK. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 92,751 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088116 · 2004-08-18 (August 18, 2004)
REGULATOR FOR REAR WINDOW IS DEFECTIVE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088116 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114183 · 2005-03-16 (March 16, 2005)
THE SRS INDICATOR COMES ON AND STAYS ON WHEN A CELL PHONE OR LAPTOP IS USED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS HINDERS THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE AIR BAGS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A NEEDLESS DEATH TO THE PASSENGER. THE LIGHT CAN ONLY BE RESET BY THE DEALER WHICH COST $84.00 PER HOUR. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION ON THE WEB, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY A PROBLEM IN THE ACURA RLS BUT ALSO A PROBLEM WITH ALL ACURA VEHICLES (RL, TL, TL-S, RSX AND THE MDX). THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENGINEERING CONSIDERATIONS WHICH WOULD HAVE SHIELDED THE OPDS SENSORS FROM EVERYD…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10114183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134020 · 2005-08-24 (August 24, 2005)
DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND REALIZED SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE RIM. AFTER PULLING OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE SUSTAINED A TREAD SEPARATION FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD JUST HAD THE TIRES CHECKED AND ROTATED. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT SHE HAD A DEFECTIVE TIRE. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE SHE PURCHASED THE TIRE AND THEY DID OFFER TO REPLACE THE TIRE. *AK UPDATED 2/7/…
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10134020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160348 · 2006-06-21 (June 21, 2006)
99 3.5 RL REAR VIEW MIRROR LEAKING TOXIC MATERIAL. CAUSED SICKNESS. AFTER CONTACTING ACURA, THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO REMOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR (BECAUSE OF HEALTH ISSUES) ONLY. THEREFORE, I WOULD NOT HAVE A REAR VIEW MIRROR, WHICH WOULD ATTRIBUTE TO A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10175107 · 2006-12-04 (December 4, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE CONTACT REFERRED TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH INDICATED IF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, IT WAS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE SUPPLEMENTAL FRONT AIRBAGS FAILED, AND THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY FOR THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175107 at NHTSA ↗
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 10203090 · 2007-09-15 (September 15, 2007)
OPDS SENSORTRIGGERS SRS: SRS LIGHT RESET 5 TIMES SINCE 02/04 ONE TIME BY DEALERSHIP RIGHT BEFORE PURCHASE OF PRE CERTIFIED VEH IN 2004. THE LAST TIME WAS JULY OF 2007 WHEN I WAS TOLD I WOULD NEED A NEW CABLE REEL AND DRIVERS AIR BAG PRICED AT 1468.00 AT THAT TIME I RESEARCHED SRS PROBLEMS AND CALLED A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION IN MARCH 2006. THE PASSENGER SIDE OPDS SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND REPLACED 05/05. LABOR WAS CHARGED 130.50. I HAD TO FIND OUT THROUGH A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT …
Owner-reported narrative. 110,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203090 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 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 ↗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 ↗