ACURA RL · model year

2006 ACURA RL

39 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006ACURARL carries 39 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 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 2006 RL is air bags with 9 filings, followed by electrical system (7) and exterior lighting (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 8 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 2006 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.

39
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

39 filings

Crashes Reported

3 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 BAGS9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
TIRES4
SERVICE BRAKES2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
WHEELS1
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
STEERING1
ENGINE1
POWER TRAIN1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recalls (8)

19V50100027/06/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

19V50000027/06/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 wi

06V27000026/07/2006

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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.

16V34400023/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, Calif

10V50400022/10/2010

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

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 O

17V02900010/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, i

07V55100004/12/2007

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

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.

16V06100003/02/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 2010-20

Recent Complaints

20230623UNKNOWN OR OTHER

It want start and has something to do with air control

20230623FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

It want start and has something to do with air control

20230623FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

It want start and has something to do with air control

20200917EXTERIOR LIGHTING

PROJECTOR HEADLIGHTS ARE OFTEN POINTED FAR TOO LOW AND MAKE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE IN NORMAL CITY CONDITIONS, HIGHWAY CONDITIONS HOWEVER ESPECIALLY ON BACKROADS. ACCORDING TO AN ONLINE FORUM FOR OTHER ACURA OWNER'S, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FACTORY STANDARDS DO NOT CORRECT.

20190624EXTERIOR LIGHTING

HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY QUIT WORKING CREATING HAZARD DRIVING AT NIGHT AND INCLEMENT WEATHER. SOMETIMES ONE SIDE AND THEN RANDOMLY BOTH LIGHTS DISCONTINUE WORKING. ACCORDING TO OWNERS ON ACURA OWNER WEBSITE/FORUM, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE.

Mileage: 178,000

20190521ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR WAS REPLACED LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO. THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME DOOR LOCK HAS REOCCURRED. THE LOCKED DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHEN THE DOOR HANDLE IS TOUCHED NOR WILL THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK CONTROL LOCK OR UNLOCK THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. WHILE DRIVING THE ACTUATOR IS CONSTANTLY TRYING TO LOCK THE DOORS BUT IT DOESN'T WORK. I HAVE SEEN OTHER SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE DURING MY ON-LINE RESEARCH. I CONTACTED THE ACURA DEALER THAT REPAIRED AND REPLACED THE ORIGINAL ACTUATOR BUT WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WARRANTY IS 1 YEAR.

Mileage: 170,000

20171210AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

20170301POWER TRAIN

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE WITH 61000 MILES. SLIPPAGE AND RUMBLE NOTED AT 45MPH AND 1550 RPMS. LURCHES AT TURNS FROM STOPPED POSITION.

Mileage: 61,000

20161031AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 10V504000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 16V061000 (AIR BAGS), AND 16V344000(AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20161031SERVICE BRAKES

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 10V504000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 16V061000 (AIR BAGS), AND 16V344000(AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20161003AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE FROM AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR, ACURA AUTOMOBILE DIVISION, I CALLED THE DEALER, WEIR CANYON ACURA IN ORANGE COUNTY, CA, IN EARLY JULY TO SCHEDULE THE SERVICE. HOWEVER, UNTIL NOW, THE RECALL SERVICE HAS NOT BEEN PERFORMED DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS. IT'S BEEN MORE THAN 60 DAYS SINCE MY APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THEREFORE, I FILED THIS COMPLAINT.

20160728AIR BAGS

2006 ACURA RL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER LEARNED WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE, THE DEALER WERE USING THE PARTS ON THEIR USED CAR INVENTORY, BEFORE MAKING PARTS AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS. *JB

20160715AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. 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. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20160705AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V344000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20160531AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND I RETURNED MY CAR TO HOOMAN ACURA IN VAN NUYS, CA. ON VAN NUYS BLVD. ON THE PHONE, I WAS TOLD THE POLICY WAS TO HOLD THE RETURNED CARS AT THE DEALER, I WOULD BE GIVEN A RENTAL VOUCHER, AND THAT I WOULD BE CALLED WHEN THE REPAIR WAS MADE. AT THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT HOOMAN WAS NOT TAKING THE RECALLED VEHICLES, COULD NOT PROVIDE A DATE BY WHICH THE FIX WOULD BE MADE, BUT WOULD PROVIDE ME A RENTAL CAR WHICH I HAD TO GET THAT DAY BY NOON. I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE RECALLED ACURA BACK TO MY HOUSE. THE COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE FALSE VEHICLE/RETENTION/STORAGE AGREEMENT WHICH I AM ATTACHING TO THIS COMPLAINT. IN SUM, THE AGMT SAYS THAT IT IS THE POLICY OF HONDA TO RETAIN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE UNTIL PARTS ARE IN TO EFFECT THE REPAIR. BUT THE PEOPLE AT THE DEALER TELL YOU THAT HOOMAN DEALERSHIP DOES NOT (AND NO DEALER) RETAINS THE RECALLED VEHICLE. YET THE AGMT THAT THE DEALER WANTS THE CUSTOMER TO SIGN SAYS THAT CUSTOMER "WISHES TO RETAIN THE VEH

20160519AIR BAGS

2006 ACURA RL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEALERSHIP REPRESENTATIVES EXTREMELY RUDE WHEN CONSUMER REQUESTS LOANER VEHICLE INFORMATION UNTIL REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE AIRBAG RECALL. *SMD

20150812EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WOULD FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN GO OUT COMPLETELY. YOU HAVE TO TURN HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON FOR THE HEADLIGHT TO COME BACK ON. I HAVE CONCERNS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY.

Mileage: 100,000

20130922EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WOULD FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN GO OUT COMPLETELY. YOU HAVE TO TURN HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON FOR THE HEADLIGHT TO COME BACK ON. I HAVE CONCERNS FOR ME AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL ORDER ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL, THANK YOU.

Mileage: 81,600

20130507ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH MY 2006 RL. I HAVE GONE OUT TO START THE ENGINE AND NUMEROUS TIMES ESPECIALLY DURING COLD WEATHER IT WILL NOT START AND I HAVE HAD TO JUMP IT. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO 2 DIFFERENT ACURA DEALERSHIPS AND HAVE HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED 3 TIMES. IT HAS DONE IT ABOUT 12 TIMES DURING THE TIME OF NOVEMBER 2012- MARCH2013. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I SOME OUT TO EITHER GO TO WORK OR LEAVE WORK AND WILL HAVE TO JUMP START THE CAR. ALSO MY OTHER COMPLAINT IS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. I HAVE THE 06 RL AND MY FATHER IN LAW HAS A 05 RL AND DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER OF 2012 BOTH AIR CONDITIONING UNITS WENT BAD AT THE SAME TIME AND I AM WONDERING WHAT THE ISSUE IS WITH THAT. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20130305ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE SEPARATE DEALERS FOR INSPECTION HOWEVER, NOT ONE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. *TR UPDATED 04/30/13*LJ

Mileage: 43,000

Compare 2006ACURARL to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 ACURA RL have?
The 2006 ACURA RL has 39 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 ACURA RL?
Yes, the 2006 ACURA RL has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 ACURA RL?
The most-complained component for the 2006 ACURA RL is AIR BAGS with 9 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Is the 2006 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.