2000-2004 Acura RL Reliability Score: 8.5 out of 10

126 NHTSA Complaints

4 Recalls

1 Fire Reports

7 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

8.5 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar full-size sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 22 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 47.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall22 complaints against about 47 for similar vehicles

8.5

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20008.2
2001n/a
20028.8
2003n/a
20048.9

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

C35A1

3.5L 6-cyl / 210 hp

94 complaints 18.8 per year Gasoline

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems

electrical

transmission

steering

brakes

Same engine used in

HONDA Accord (2000-2002)

Acura RL Unidentified Engine

30 complaints 10.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems

transmission

exterior

other

engine

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

J35A8

3.5L 6-cyl / 300 hp

2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

electrical

body

Same engine used in

ACURA TL (2004-2008)ACURA RL (2005-2012)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Acura RL, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Safety Systems: 58 owner complaints

Electrical System: 26 owner complaints

Transmission: 16 owner complaints

Steering: 11 owner complaints

Engine: 9 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000-2004 Acura RL

On a used 2000-2004 Acura RL, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (58), the electrical system (26) and the transmission and drivetrain (16). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 58 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Acura RL about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Acura RL about the electrical system.
Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Acura RL about the transmission and drivetrain.
Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Acura RL about the steering.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 9 owner complaints on the 2000-2004 Acura RL about the engine.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000-2004 Acura RL

Recalls (4)

20V026000Jan 17, 2020critical

Air Bags

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.

20V027000Jan 17, 2020critical

Air Bags

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 driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

03V239000Jul 2, 2003serious

Service Brakes

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

02V119000May 14, 2002serious

Exterior Lighting

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.

All Generations

KA92000-2004 KB12005-2012

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Lexus

2001-2006

9.7/10

5 engines / 194 complaints

3 engines / 215 complaints

4 engines / 388 complaints

3 engines / 28 complaints

4 engines / 134 complaints

6 engines / 1,015 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2004 Acura RL complaints?

Owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2004 Acura RL. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the electrical system and the transmission.

Is the 2000-2004 Acura RL a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2004 Acura RL. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2004 Acura RL have?

NHTSA has 126 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2004 Acura RL as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2004 Acura RL?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2000-2004 Acura RL vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Acura RL?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the electrical system and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the RL have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2004 Acura RL. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 126 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.