ACURA RL · model year

1999 ACURA RL

26 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1999ACURARL carries 26 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 RL is air bags with 6 filings, followed by seat belts:front:buckle assembly (2) and electrical system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1999 RL, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

26
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

26 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS6
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
POWER TRAIN2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM1
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE1

Recent Complaints

20210121AIR BAGS

1999 ACURA RL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS

20200706AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 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 EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED RADLEY ACURA (5823 COLUMBIA PIKE, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22041, (703) 824-5700) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20200526AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. COURTESY ACURA (3701 NICHOLASVILLE RD, LEXINGTON, KY 40503) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20160927ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR HAD ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THE ODOMETER KEEP HAVING EQUAL NUMBERS ALOT OF THE TIME. ALSO ACCELERATION KEPT CHANGING ON ITS OWN. AS I WAS DRIVING AND ALSO ON THE HIGHWAY GOING TOWARDS OREGON. IN JULY OF 2016. *TR

20160907AIR BAGS

SRS LIGHT ILLUMIMATED. TOOK TO ACURA DEALER, STATED OPDS SENSOR AND/OR OPDS UNIT FAILURE. $1200-$1600 TO REPLACE 1 OR 2 UNITS. AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN EVENT OF IMPACT. THIS IS TOTALLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

Mileage: 125,000

20150526AIR BAGS

HONDA / ACURA IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE BELOW EXTENDED WARRANTY (S/B 06-008) ON MY VEHICLE (WHICH IS WITHIN STATED MILEAGE LIMITS BUT OUTSIDE THE ARBITRARY TIME LIMITS) WHICH HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATING THE INDICATED PROBLEM WITH THE OPDS FOR ABOUT ONE YEAR. THEIR FILE NUMBER IS B012015-05-2601760.THEIR STATED SOLUTION IS FOR ME TO PAY FOR REPAIRS! THEY (MELISA) STATES I NEED TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSIS AT AN ACURA DEALER WITH ABSOLUTELY NO ASSURANCE OF A REIMBURSEMENT OR A FACTORY PAID REPAIR. AS THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAULT IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS FAULT PUBLISHED ON LINE IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE MANUFACTURER TO MAKE REPAIRS. IT APPEARS TO ME THEY COVERED UP WHAT SHOULD BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL WITH THE EXPIRED EXTENDED WARRANTY. HTTP://ACURAZINE.COM/FORUMS/PROBLEMS-FIXES-70/SRS-INDICATOR-LIGHT-WARRANTY-EXTENSION-478199/ HTTPS://REPAIRPAL.COM/SENSOR-PROBLEMS-IN-ABS-MAY-CAUSE-SRS-LIGHT-TO-TURN-ON-519 DATE: APRIL 5, 2006 TO: ALL ACURA SALES, SERVICE & PA

Mileage: 128,000

20130722VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A GRITTY LIQUID BEGAN TO SECRETE FROM THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE LIQUID SPLATTERED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT SEATS AND BEGAN TO DISINTEGRATE THE LEATHER WHERE IT WAS NOT WIPED AWAY. THE LIQUID ALSO CAUSED IRRITATION TO THE CONTACT'S SKIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

Mileage: 144,000

20130102POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD NOISE AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

20120410POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LOUD NOISE AND STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V227000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 138,000.

Mileage: 138,000

20090224AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA 3.5RL. APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUSES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY FOUR WEEKS LATER. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS. IN APRIL OF 2008, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE INFORMING HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM (OPDS) REPLACED. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY ONLY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SENSOR, BUT NOT THE CONTROL UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE SRS INDICATOR BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE W

Mileage: 17,000

20090224ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 ACURA 3.5RL. APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUSES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY FOUR WEEKS LATER. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS. IN APRIL OF 2008, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE INFORMING HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM (OPDS) REPLACED. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY ONLY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE SENSOR, BUT NOT THE CONTROL UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE SRS INDICATOR BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE W

Mileage: 17,000

20080610VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY WIFE'S 1999 ACURA RL HAS A LIQUID SUBSTANCE SLOSHING AROUND INSIDE. MY WIFE WAS COMPLAINING OF A HEADACHE THAT DAY WHEN SHE CAME IN, AND, NOT KNOWING THE CONTENTS OF THE MIRROR, I REMOVED IT FOR FEAR THAT IT WOULD LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTES $300+ TO REPLACE, WHICH I FEEL IS UNREASONABLE FOR THE TYPE OF PART WE'RE TALKING ABOUT. I LOCATED OTHER CONSUMERS WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, EXCEPT THAT THEY LEFT THEIR MIRROR IN PLACE AND IT EITHER LEAKED OR EXPLODED. APPARENTLY THE LIQUID INSIDE THE MIRROR IS CORROSIVE BECAUSE IN EVERY CASE THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WAS RUINED WHEREVER THE SUBSTANCE CAME IN CONTACT WITH IT. I THEN CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE MIRROR BUT THEY HAVE SO FAR IGNORED MY CALLS AND EMAILS. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

20080610SEAT BELTS

ACCURA ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION TO CORRECT PROBLEM IF THE SRS (SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR) LIGHT STAYS ON. WHEN CAR BROUGHT IN FOR WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A FREE OF CHARGE REPAIR I WAS TOLD ONLY 2 OF THE 3 BROKEN SYSTEM COMPONENTS WAS COVERED AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,150. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

20070915AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

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 THIS HAS BEEN A ISSUE WITH ACURAS. I THEN WENT BACK TO THE LOCAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION THEY OWED ME MONIES BACK FOR THE LABOR CHARGED DUE TO THE WARRANTY EXTENTION. THERE WAS NO NOTICE THAT WENT OUT TO THE CUSTOMERS EVEN IF THEY HAD PAID FOR THE SERVICES NOW COVERED NO ONE WAS NOTIFIED EXCEPT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS.I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO FILE THROUGH THE COOPERATE OFFICE IN ORDER TO GET MY REFUND. I CALLED CORP

Mileage: 110,250

20070905FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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) I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP WHERE, FOR $300, THEY DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE MECHANIC COMMENTED THAT THE DESIGN OF SUPPLYING POWER TO THE FUEL PUMP THROUGH TWO DIFFERENT RELAYS WAS POORLY THOUGHT OUT.

Mileage: 81,395

20061204AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

Mileage: 81,000

20061204SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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.

Mileage: 81,000

20060621VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR

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

Mileage: 65,000

20050824TIRES:TREAD/BELT

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 2/7/2006 - *NM

Mileage: 41,000

20050316AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

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 EVERYDAY INTERFERENCES FROM LAPTOPS AND CELL PHONES RADIO FREQUENCIES. PLEASE GIVE THIS MATTER SOME ATTENTION BY CONTACTING THE ACURA CORPORATION AND ASKING FOR AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT ACTION THEY INTEND TO TAKE TO CORRECT THIS ENGINEERING DEFECT. AS WITH MOST MAJOR CORPORATIONS, THE AVERAGE CONSUMER HAS NO WAY OF CONTACTING THEM DIRECTLY. THANKS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. *AK

Compare 1999ACURARL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1999 ACURA RL have?
The 1999 ACURA RL has 26 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1999 ACURA RL?
The most-complained component for the 1999 ACURA RL is AIR BAGS with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 1999 ACURA RL safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.