ACURA RL · model year

2000 ACURA RL

79 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2000ACURARL carries 79 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, 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 2000 RL is air bags with 19 filings, followed by electrical system (6) and air bags:frontal:sensor/control module (5). 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. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2000 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.

79
Complaints
6
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

79 filings

Crashes Reported

6 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 BAGS19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE5
POWER TRAIN4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
SEAT BELTS3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
STEERING2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE1

Recalls (4)

20V02600017/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, 1997-1

20V02700017/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement

02V11900014/05/2002

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS, OIL WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO PREVENT RUST. THIS OIL CAN LEAK INTO THE BRAKE STOP SWITCH AND CONTAMINATE THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS.

03V23900002/07/2003

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY HAVE INTERNAL CORROSION, RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Recent Complaints

20221003SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

The contact owns a 2000 Acura RL. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light, and the vehicle stability assist (VSA) system warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced; however, the part had been discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Mileage: 79,000

20221003ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

The contact owns a 2000 Acura RL. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light, and the vehicle stability assist (VSA) system warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced; however, the part had been discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

Mileage: 79,000

20211223AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2000 Acura RL. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V027000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.

20210212AIR BAGS

THE SRS LAMP HAS REMAINED ON SINCE PURCHASE IN 2009.

20201017AIR BAGS

I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM AMERICA HONDA MOTOR COMPANY ON MARCH 2020 (NHTSA RECALL 20V-026) THAT THE INFLATOR INSIDE THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG MODULE MAY ABSORB MOISTURE, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG TO MALFUNCTION IN A CRASH WHERE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. THE LETTER STATES "THE REPLACEMENT PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR YOUR VEHICLE, IF NECESSARY, ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND ACURA IS UNABLE TO INSPECT/REPAIR YOUR VEHICLE AT THIS TIME." I CALLED A LOCAL ACURA DEALER ON 9/1/2020 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THEY ARE EXPECTED MAY 2021. THIS TIMEFRAME SEEMS UNREASONABLE TO ME.

Mileage: 100,000

20200821AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED ACURA OF MEMPHIS (2611 RIDGEWAY RD, MEMPHIS, TN 38119, (901) 630-4664) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. 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.

20200327AIR BAGS

DEALERSHIPS INTENTIONALLY IGNORE TAKATA/NADI AIRBAG SAFETY OCCUPANT SAFETY RECALLS ON JAN 2019 THIS VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO MCCONNELL HONDA ALABAMA DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP FOR MALFUNCTION INDICATION LIGHTS "BATT" "BRAKE". THIS MALFUNCTION WAS A RESULT OF AUG 2018 PATTON HONDA GEORGIA, DEALERSHIP SHOP REPAIR DIAGNOSTIC (PARKING LOT BRAKE TORQUING) ABUSE WHILE IN CUSTODY TO DIAGNOSE, A SLIGHT HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION AND RUBBER SQUEAK NOISE NEAR FRONT LEFT WHEEL. NO REMEDY WAS PROVIDED AND VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND BATTERY CHARGING DISABLED BY PATTON HONDA GEORGIA. OWNER WAS CHARGED A $100 SERVICE CHARGE. MCCONNELL HONDA ALABAMA DID NOT TROUBLESHOOT MALFUNCTION, REMOVED AND REPLAC ED A GOOD ALTERNATOR, WHICH DOES NOT SOLVE THE BATTERY CIRCUIT CHARGING MALFUNCTION AND BILLED CUSTOMER $1320 INITIALLY THEN $920 AFTER CUSTOMER EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT WITH BAD REPAIR THAT WILL PROVE FAULTY. MCCONNELL HONDA ALABAMA LATTER ATTEMPTS TO RE-TITLE AND SELL OWNER'S VEHICLE TO AUCTION DESPITE

Mileage: 210,000

20200327SEAT BELTS

DEALERSHIPS INTENTIONALLY IGNORE TAKATA/NADI AIRBAG SAFETY OCCUPANT SAFETY RECALLS ON JAN 2019 THIS VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO MCCONNELL HONDA ALABAMA DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP FOR MALFUNCTION INDICATION LIGHTS "BATT" "BRAKE". THIS MALFUNCTION WAS A RESULT OF AUG 2018 PATTON HONDA GEORGIA, DEALERSHIP SHOP REPAIR DIAGNOSTIC (PARKING LOT BRAKE TORQUING) ABUSE WHILE IN CUSTODY TO DIAGNOSE, A SLIGHT HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION AND RUBBER SQUEAK NOISE NEAR FRONT LEFT WHEEL. NO REMEDY WAS PROVIDED AND VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND BATTERY CHARGING DISABLED BY PATTON HONDA GEORGIA. OWNER WAS CHARGED A $100 SERVICE CHARGE. MCCONNELL HONDA ALABAMA DID NOT TROUBLESHOOT MALFUNCTION, REMOVED AND REPLAC ED A GOOD ALTERNATOR, WHICH DOES NOT SOLVE THE BATTERY CIRCUIT CHARGING MALFUNCTION AND BILLED CUSTOMER $1320 INITIALLY THEN $920 AFTER CUSTOMER EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT WITH BAD REPAIR THAT WILL PROVE FAULTY. MCCONNELL HONDA ALABAMA LATTER ATTEMPTS TO RE-TITLE AND SELL OWNER'S VEHICLE TO AUCTION DESPITE

Mileage: 210,000

20200327UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DEALERSHIPS INTENTIONALLY IGNORE TAKATA/NADI AIRBAG SAFETY OCCUPANT SAFETY RECALLS ON JAN 2019 THIS VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO MCCONNELL HONDA ALABAMA DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP FOR MALFUNCTION INDICATION LIGHTS "BATT" "BRAKE". THIS MALFUNCTION WAS A RESULT OF AUG 2018 PATTON HONDA GEORGIA, DEALERSHIP SHOP REPAIR DIAGNOSTIC (PARKING LOT BRAKE TORQUING) ABUSE WHILE IN CUSTODY TO DIAGNOSE, A SLIGHT HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION AND RUBBER SQUEAK NOISE NEAR FRONT LEFT WHEEL. NO REMEDY WAS PROVIDED AND VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND BATTERY CHARGING DISABLED BY PATTON HONDA GEORGIA. OWNER WAS CHARGED A $100 SERVICE CHARGE. MCCONNELL HONDA ALABAMA DID NOT TROUBLESHOOT MALFUNCTION, REMOVED AND REPLAC ED A GOOD ALTERNATOR, WHICH DOES NOT SOLVE THE BATTERY CIRCUIT CHARGING MALFUNCTION AND BILLED CUSTOMER $1320 INITIALLY THEN $920 AFTER CUSTOMER EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT WITH BAD REPAIR THAT WILL PROVE FAULTY. MCCONNELL HONDA ALABAMA LATTER ATTEMPTS TO RE-TITLE AND SELL OWNER'S VEHICLE TO AUCTION DESPITE

Mileage: 210,000

20170830AIR BAGS

TAMARA RECALL MY SRS LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUALLY. I AM CONCERNED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS. I NEED TO KNOW IF IT IS SAFE TO HAVE SOMEONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR IF THE AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE AND IS A RECALL. I DO NOT DRIVE THIS CAR VERY OFTEN BUT NOW I HAVE TO BECAUSE I HAVE NO OTHER TRANSPORTATION.

20161104AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ACURA RL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 75,000

20160914UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ODOMETER WAS TAMPERED WHICH I BELIEVE IS FRAUD IN THE US.

20160726AIR BAGS

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAGS, SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR

20160705AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ACURA RL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

20151113POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BOLT PREMATURELY FRACTURED INTERNALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE GEAR TRAIN DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR TRAIN DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V227000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

Mileage: 159,000

20151113VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BOLT PREMATURELY FRACTURED INTERNALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE GEAR TRAIN DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THERE WAS A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR TRAIN DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V227000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

Mileage: 159,000

20151108AIR BAGS

THE SRS SENSOR JUS POP ON THE ABS SENSOR POP ON ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POPS I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND ALSO I HEARD TICKING AND TAPPING AND THE ENGINE STARTED JUMPING WHETHER I'M GOING SLOW OR FAST I REALLY NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP WHY IS BECAUSE I CAN POSSIBLY BE IN GREAT DANGER DO TO THE SENSORS THAT ARE GOING OUT IN MY VEHICLE .

Mileage: 162,090

20151108ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE SRS SENSOR JUS POP ON THE ABS SENSOR POP ON ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POPS I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND ALSO I HEARD TICKING AND TAPPING AND THE ENGINE STARTED JUMPING WHETHER I'M GOING SLOW OR FAST I REALLY NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP WHY IS BECAUSE I CAN POSSIBLY BE IN GREAT DANGER DO TO THE SENSORS THAT ARE GOING OUT IN MY VEHICLE .

Mileage: 162,090

20151108UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE SRS SENSOR JUS POP ON THE ABS SENSOR POP ON ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POPS I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND ALSO I HEARD TICKING AND TAPPING AND THE ENGINE STARTED JUMPING WHETHER I'M GOING SLOW OR FAST I REALLY NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP WHY IS BECAUSE I CAN POSSIBLY BE IN GREAT DANGER DO TO THE SENSORS THAT ARE GOING OUT IN MY VEHICLE .

Mileage: 162,090

20150521AIR BAGS

SRS LIGHT ON THE DASH STAYS ON. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY WITH LIGHT ON. I HAD AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DETERMINE THAT THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A REPAIR THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY A MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. BASED ON REVIEW OF THE SAFERCAR.GOV WEBSITE THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR.

Mileage: 135,100

Compare 2000ACURARL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2000 ACURA RL have?
The 2000 ACURA RL has 79 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2000 ACURA RL?
Yes, the 2000 ACURA RL has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 ACURA RL?
The most-complained component for the 2000 ACURA RL is AIR BAGS with 19 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE.
Is the 2000 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.