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U.S. public vehicle records

2006 Acura RL: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

32 owner complaints analyzed

8 distinct recall campaigns

46,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 32 complaints (28.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior412.5%
Electrical and battery issues412.5%
Steering behavior26.3%
Transmission and shifting13.1%
Engine operation13.1%

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.

Air Bags
9
Electrical System
7
Exterior Lighting
5
Tires
4
Service Brakes
2
Electrical System:Ignition
1
Engine
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags9
Electrical System7
Exterior Lighting5
Tires4
Service Brakes2
Electrical System:Ignition1
Engine1
Engine And Engine Cooling1

Air Bags: 9; Electrical System: 7; Exterior Lighting: 5; Tires: 4; Service Brakes: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
6
25,000 to 49,999
4
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
3
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0006
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9993
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 13 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.

2006
3
2007
2
2009
4
2010
2
2011
3
2012
1
2013
3
2015
1
2016
7
2017
2
2019
2
2020
1
2023
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20063
20072
20094
20102
20113
20121
20133
20151
20167
20172
20192
20201
20231

2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2009: 4; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 7; 2017: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2023: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10150822 · 2006-02-09 (February 9, 2006)

2006 ACURA RL MAKES A METAL TO METAL NOISE WHEN BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS. *TS **NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE NOISE WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE BRAKE PADS IN THE 2006 RL BECAUSE THE BRAKE PAD COMPOSITION HAD BEEN REDESIGNED. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10150822 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10155634 · 2006-04-18 (April 18, 2006)

I PURCHASED A 2006 ACURA RL IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR. ON MY WAY HOME, I STOPPED AT A REST STOP. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR, I COULDN'T TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH. I HAD TO CALL THE DEALER TO FIND OUT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WITH THE WHEELS IN ANY POSITION AND THE DRIVER HAS TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON THE LOCK BEFORE THE SWITCH WILL TURN. LUCKILY, I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT IN SOME HAZARDOUS LOCATION THAT REQUIRED THAT I IMMEDIATELY MOVE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS IN OTHER AUTOMOBILES BUT ONLY WHEN THE WHEELS WERE TURNED ALL THE WA…

Owner-reported narrative. 69 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155634 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10162679 · 2006-07-17 (July 17, 2006)

CAR SUDDENLY DIED AT 2500 MILES, WAS TOWED TO DEALER, ENGINE OIL PUMP NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY AT FACTORY, TOOK OVER 7 WEEKS FOR NEW CAR/REPLACEMENT CAR TO ARRIVE, RENTAL CAR FEES NOT REIMBURSED DESPITE REASSURANCES FROM MANUFACTURER AND DEALER. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162679 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10190663 · 2007-05-14 (May 14, 2007)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COMES EQUIPPED WITH TWO DIFFERENT CRUISE CONTROL MODES: STANDARD AND RADAR (ACC). WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH IN THE ACC MODE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES WHEN HE REMOVES HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLES DECELERATES. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING FAILURE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN JANUARY OF 2006. ONE YEAR AND THREE MONTHS LATER, ACURA FINALLY SENT SOMEONE TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND VIDEOTAPE THE FAILURE. ACURA ACKNOWLEDGES T…

Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10190663 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10197551 · 2007-07-26 (July 26, 2007)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA RL. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A POTHOLE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. HE THEN DROVE OVER ANOTHER POTHOLE AND THE TIRE DEFLATED. THE CONTACT REFILLED THE TIRE WITH AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE COMPANY, WHICH NOTICED A BUBBLE ON THE TIRE AND REFILLED IT WITH AIR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIM WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE TIRE AND RIM. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE BUBBLE IN THE TIRE AND THE CRACKED RIM MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY DEBRIS AND/…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197551 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10278068 · 2009-07-23 (July 23, 2009)

HONDA/MICHELIN PAX TIRES (NO FLAT) ARE DESIGN FOR ONLY ABOUT 20-30K MILES. THIS INFORMATION WAS NOT DISCLOSED AT THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE OF MY VEHICLE. THEY HAVE DECEIVED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS IS A QUALITY PRODUCT. IN ADDITION, THESE TIRES ARE FLAWED AND EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND YOUR CAR CAN'T BE DE-PAX. IF THEY ARE NOT REPLACED EVERY TWO YEARS IT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS WHICH CAN LEAD TO UNNECESSARY CRASHES. AS A CONCERNED CONSUMER ABOUT THIS PRODUCT AND MANY OTHERS WE WOULD LIKE A RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT ASAP! HONDA AND…

Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10278068 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10283516 · 2009-09-10 (September 10, 2009)

ON 4 OCCASIONS SINCE BUYING CAR IN 2006 REPORTED THAT INTERMITTENTLY CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHEN LIFTING FOOT OFF BRAKE. DEALERSHIP FOUND NO DEFECTS ON 4 SEPARATE CHECKS. AUG 13HAD THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION' OCCUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. TOTALLED CAR,DAMAGED 4 OTHERS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10283516 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10291110 · 2009-11-05 (November 5, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA RL. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED ON WATER, CRASHED INTO A RAIL, AND THEN WAS STRUCK BY A SEMI-TRACTOR TRAILER. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CHECK AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, BUT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALER. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL ONLY DEPLOY IF THE DRIVER WAS IN GREAT DANGER. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50000. UPDATED 01/12/…

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291110 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

06V270000 · Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual

Reported: 2006-07-26 (July 26, 2006)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.

Consequence: THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: HONDA WILL SEND A POSTCARD TO DEALERS AND OWNERS WITH THE CORRECT NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION AND WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSERT THE CARD INTO THE "REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS" SECTION OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 2, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009, ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 OR HONDA MOTORCYCLES AT 1-866-784-1870.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
07V551000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections

Reported: 2007-12-04 (December 4, 2007)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PROLONGED HIGH UNDER-HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY CAUSING THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID.

Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO A HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEAT RESISTANT POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 800-382-2238.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
10V504000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder

Reported: 2010-10-22 (October 22, 2010)

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ODYSSEY AND ACURA RL VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS A LUBRICANT FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Consequence: A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V061000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-02-03 (February 3, 2016)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
16V344000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-23 (May 23, 2016)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V029000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V500000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V501000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 2019)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

NHTSA campaign record ↗