Is the Acura RL Reliable?

Q: Is the Acura RL reliable?

The Acura RL scores 71/100 on the VinCheckEngine reliability index, which rates as "Good" for the 1996–2012 model years. Run a free VIN report at vincheckengine.com for vehicle-specific analysis.

Q: What year RL is most reliable?

Among recently analyzed years, the 2003 Acura RL scored highest with a reliability score of 93/100. Fewer recalls and complaints were reported for that model year.

Q: How many miles does a RL last?

With regular maintenance, most Acura RL owners report 150,000–200,000+ miles of reliable service. High-mileage examples frequently appear at auction. Always verify with a VIN history report before purchasing a used RL.

1996–2012 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.

71/100

Good

Reliability Score

Total Recalls

170

Owner Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Own a Acura RL? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

Acura RL Reliability by Year

Model Year	Recalls	Complaints	Injuries	Deaths	Reliability Score	Rating
2012	4	0	—	—	80	Excellent
2011	5	2	—	—	73	Good
2010	5	7	—	—	68	Good
2009	4	12	1	—	68	Good
2008	3	5	—	—	80	Excellent
2007	4	11	1	—	69	Good
2006	3	21	2	—	63	Fair
2005	8	91	2	—	29	Poor
2004	0	14	—	—	86	Excellent
2003	0	7	—	—	93	Excellent

Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.

How the RL Compares to Similar Vehicles

Acura RL71/100

Sedan Category Average72/100

The RL scores 1 points below the average sedan. Consider checking years with lower complaint volumes.

Known Acura RL Reliability Issues

The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:

AIR BAGS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Based on 170 owner complaints across recent model years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Acura RL reliable?+

The Acura RL scores 71/100 on our reliability index — rated "Good." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 36 recall campaigns and 170 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.

What year RL is most reliable?+

Among the years analyzed, the 2003 RL achieved the highest reliability score of 93/100 with 0 recalls and 7 complaints.

How many miles does a RL last?+

With consistent maintenance, most Acura RL owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used RL will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.

More Acura RL Research

Common Problems

Detailed breakdown of every reported defect for the Acura RL.

Years to Avoid

Which RL years have the most problems — and which are the best buys.

Check a Specific Acura RL VIN

Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.

Run a Free VIN Report →