Safety ratings
2001 Acura RL 4-DR. w/SAB
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlStandard
Crash test videos & photos
No public crash-test footage is available for this vehicle.
Recalls (2)
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULECampaign 20V027000 · 17/01/2020
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCHCampaign 02V119000 · 14/05/2002
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.
Risk: EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CLEAN ANY EXCESS OIL FROM THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THE STOP SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 16, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- POWER TRAIN8
- AIR BAGS6
- SERVICE BRAKES2
- HYDRAULIC2
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- TIRES1
- STEERING1
- FUEL SYSTEM1
Read individual complaints (25 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/26/2001· POWER TRAIN
IT TOOK OVER A MONTH TO HAVE CAR REPAIRED, RESEAN BEING - OVER 50 TRANSMISSIONS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THAT GOSE TO SHOW THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE WHO ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THANK-YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP...ZIA YUSUF
- 12/21/2001· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILURES THIS MAY BE A SAFETY HAZARD. IF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES SLOWS DOWN ABRUPTLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE DRIVER IS ACCELERATING. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN TRYING TO PASS SOMEONE, THE TRANSMISSION WILL SUDDENLY LEAVE THE ENGINE REVVING HIGH, BUT THE CAR WON T ACTUALLY ACCELERATE AND ACTUALLY SLOWS DOWN, SOMETIMES VERY NOTICEABLY. THIS CAN CAUSE SOMEONE TO REAR END YOU IF THEY RE COMING UP FROM BEHIND YOU NOT EXPECTING YOU TO SUDDENLY COME TO HALT FOR NO APPARENT REASON.
- 12/12/2008· AIR BAGS
2001 ACURA RL. SRS LIGHT IS ON. DEALER CHECKED AND FOUND PROBLEM WITH OPDS UNIT AND SENSOR AND REPLACED. AFTER REPLACEMENT, RE-INITIALIZED THE SYSTEM BUT THE SRS STAYS ON. NOW, TURN OUT THAT THE SRS CONTROL UNIT IS BAD. DEALER SAID IT WILL COST APPROX $2000 TO REPLACE THE SRS CONTROL UNIT. WHY SRS CONTROL UNIT IS NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ITEM? *TR
- 11/20/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HORN ASSEMBLY LOCATION IS IN A BAD PLACE FOR BLOWING THE HORN. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. DEALE R TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS THE DESIGN FOR THAT PARTICULAR VEHICLE.*AK
- 11/07/2001· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN UPSHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR INTO SECOND GEAR.*AK
- 10/09/2020· AIR BAGS
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL IN MARCH 2020. WHEN I CALLED THE ACURA DEALER IN CHARLOTTE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PART WOULD BE THERE IN JULY, CALLED IN JULY THEY SAID AUGUST CALLED IN SEPTEMBER AND THEY SAID THAT THE PART IS STILL NOT THERE
- 10/06/2001· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION ON THIS MODEL FAILING ACROSS THE NATION, ACURA NOT ACKNOWLEDGING. *AK
- 09/14/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA 3.5RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BECAME FLAT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE AND WITHIN A COUPLE OF MILES, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER AND THE REAR WHEELS WERE SPINNING ABNORMALLY AT DIFFERENT RATES. THE CONTACT THEN SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL BRAKING OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
- 08/12/2008· AIR BAGS
2001 ACURA 3.5 RL SRS LIGHT ELLUMINATES OPDS SENSOR OR MODULE ARE REPLACEABLE UNDER WARRANTY BUT OPDS BRAIN OR UNIT IS NOT COVERED AND THIS IS THE PART THAT IS CAUSING THE SRS LIGHT TO ELLUMINATE. DEALER SAYS IT IS FAULTY AND CAN NOT BE REPLACED FREE. SO NOW I HAVE NO AIR BAGS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
- 08/07/2002· TIRES
MICHILIN, RADIAL, P21550R1793V DOTB98CTTX1300 REPLACEMENTS. TIRE IS BLOWING OUT AROUND SIDEWALL EVERY 6000 MILES.*AK
- 08/03/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash
FRONT ROTORS WARP DUE TO METALLIC BRAKE PADS UNDER NORMAL USE RESULTING IN INCREASE OF NORMAL BRAKING DISTANCE *AK
- 07/20/2012· STEERINGFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 09/06/2012 *JS
- 07/09/2001· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL TANK OVERFLOWS ON GAS FILUP - EVEN AFTER GAS SHUTS OFF, GAS COMES UP AND OUT OF TANK AT THE FILLER HOLE SPILLING ONTO SIDE OF CAR AND REAR WHEEL AND REAL WHEEL BRAKE ROTOR. HAPPENED TWICE ON 4 FILLUPS (SO FAR), WITHOUT TOPPING OFF, USING DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS/PUMPS.*AK
- 06/02/2015· AIR BAGS
I CALLED ACURA TO SEE IF THE TYPE AIR BAG INFLATOR IN MY CAR USED AMMONIUM NITRATE. MY CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALLED LIST BUT GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM I WAS GOING TO REPLACE, AT LEAST THE DRIVER'S SIDE, IF THE INFLATOR WAS USING THE UNSTABLE PROPELLANT. ACURA WOULD NOT PROVIDE ME ANY INFORMATION. I CALLED NHTSA AND THEY TOLD ME TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THIS SITE TO SEE IF I CAN GET THE INFORMATION TO PROTECT MYSELF AND FAMILY REGARDLESS OF THE CORPORATE DECISION.
- 05/25/2001· STRUCTURE
AT FREEWAY SPEEDS I CAN HEAR A LOUD WIND NOISE AT THE TOP OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
- 05/10/2001· POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS, VEHICLE STALLED. TRANSIMMISON HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING & DECELERATING. *AK
- 04/10/2002· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND FOOT WAS ON BRAKE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK
- 03/13/2001· VISIBILITY
DESIGN FLAW: DRIVER SIDE MIRROR CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED OUTWARD FAR ENOUGH TO ELIMINATE DANGEROUS BLIND SPOT IF DRIVER SEAT IN REARMOST POSITION. *AK
- 02/23/2009· AIR BAGS
THE SRS (SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM) LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND AN ERROR CODE 15-1 AND THEY RESET THE LIGHT BUT SAID THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE SRS SYSTEM. I FOUND ANOTHER COMPLAINT (#10251604) AND HAVE THE SAME QUESTION WHY THIS IS NOT REGARDED AS A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
- 02/20/2003· POWER TRAIN
THE DIFFERENTIAL LEAKED OIL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A NOISE.*JB
- 02/17/2010· POWER TRAIN
2001 ACURA MDX TRANSMISSION FAILURE, NEEDS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION, 1ST TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 63K, NEEDED A 2ND TRANSMISSION AT 125K, NOW A 3RD TRANSMISSION AT 175K. *TR
- 02/10/2003· POWER TRAIN
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES.*JB
- 02/06/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE TRUCK WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK FORWARD. WE TOOK OFF FROM THE LIGHT AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY JERK AS IF SOMEONE WAS JAMMING ON THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE LIGHT AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT CAME ON. THE TRUCK BECAME UNDRIVEABLE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE TISCHER DEALER. THE TRUCK WAS REPAIRED AND WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE AIR INTAKE VALVE. I'M ISSUING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY A BRAND NEW LUXURY TRUCK SHOULD NOT EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM SO SOON IN ITS LIFE. IT IS ALSO, OBVIOUSLY, A DEFECT IN THE PART. THE DEFECT MAY EXTEND BEYOND JUST OUR TRUCK SO WE ARE ALERTING NHTSA TO TRACK. *AK
- 02/04/2002· AIR BAGS
MY 2001 ACURA MDX HAS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG (SRS) SYSTEM. THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS, IT HAS DISABLED ITSELF WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN HEAVY RAIN. IT HAS FAILED IN EXACTLY THE SAME VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS EACH TIME. IT STAYS DISABLED UNTIL I CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN ACURA DEALER TO REACTIVATE IT, WHICH IS A REAL HASSLE. THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NO WAY TO FIX IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT ACURA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO, AND ARE REFUSING TO REPLACE THE APPARENT DEFECT UNIT. THE DEALER'S SOLUTION TO THIS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT: "CHANGE YOUR DRIVING HABITS". THIS SOLUTION IS VERY UNACCEPTABLE. *AK
- 01/18/2001· SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT AFTER BEING IN USE. WOULD BE ON FLOOR AFTER BEING UNBUCKLED. 2ND TIME PUT IN NEW RETRACTOR, 1ST TIME AN ADJUSTOR.*AK