NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Acura RL Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Acura RL has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 11 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Acura dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Acura RL. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1998 Acura RL owner complaints

Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Acura RL, describing incidents dated July 3, 2000 to March 10, 2020.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 2 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Seat Belts 2 complaints
Structure 2 complaints
Suspension 2 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 2 complaints

Newest complaints

ODI #11340379 · Filed July 20, 2020
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME…
ODI #11327944 · Filed June 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN…
ODI #10341626 · Filed July 6, 2010
MAY 15, 2010...I HAD MY LEFT CV AXLE AND TIRE ALIGNMENT ON THE LEFT SIDE SERVICED. JULY 2, 2010 I WAS DRIVING AND MADE A LEFT TURN. ABOUT A HALF A MILE DOWN THE ROAD MY CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE COMPLETELY COLLAPSED. I THOUGHT IT WAS A TIRE BLOW OUT, BUT IT WASN'T. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND INSPECTED…

Read all 11 complaints

Air Bag Inflators May Rupture or Underinflate Bag

NHTSA #20V026000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 17, 2020 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 1,439,841 vehicles

Repair completion: 7.91% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign D8J, Z8G · Owners notified October 1, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

HONDA/TRANSMISSION

NHTSA #99V227000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported August 19, 1999 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Potentially affected: 96,518 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign K68 · Owners notified August 30, 1999 · Vehicles built September 15, 1997 – July 31, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.

Safety consequence

THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK POSITION WOULD NOT LOCK THE WHEELS, AND A PARKED VEHICLE COULD MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 1999.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 HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

HONDA/BALL JOINTS

NHTSA #99V069000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Ball Joint · NHTSA notice

Reported May 10, 1999 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Potentially affected: 124,875 vehicles

Owners notified May 17, 1999 · Vehicles built September 16, 1997 – February 21, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 17, 1999.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 HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA 1-800-382-2238.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 Acura RL. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

11 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Acura RL.

Air Bags

ODI #11340379

Incident: March 10, 2020 · Filed: July 20, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. 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.

Air Bags

ODI #11327944

Incident: January 20, 2020 · Filed: June 9, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Suspension

ODI #10341626

Incident: July 2, 2010 · Filed: July 6, 2010

MAY 15, 2010...I HAD MY LEFT CV AXLE AND TIRE ALIGNMENT ON THE LEFT SIDE SERVICED. JULY 2, 2010 I WAS DRIVING AND MADE A LEFT TURN. ABOUT A HALF A MILE DOWN THE ROAD MY CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE COMPLETELY COLLAPSED. I THOUGHT IT WAS A TIRE BLOW OUT, BUT IT WASN'T. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND INSPECTED. DIAGNOSED: LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT CAUSED THE INCIDENT ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CURRENTLY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AS I AM TRYING TO SEE WHO'S AT FAULT IN ORDER TO GET ASSISTANCE FOR THE WORK TO BE DONE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS RECALLED DURING 1996-1999 FOR THIS PART. ALSO THE LEFT SIDE FRONT FENDER ETC IS DENTED. *TR

Structure; Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #10255952

Incident: January 3, 2009 · Filed: January 22, 2009

1998 ACURA AND OTHER HONDA VEHICLES INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ON DRIVERS SIDE FAILS NOT ALLOWING DRIVERS TO EGRESS THE VEHICLE. YOU CANT OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE. THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THE VEHICLE IF SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT IS TO HAVE SOMEONE OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. ACURA REFUSES TO FIX STATING VEHICLES ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. IF VEHICLE IS STUCK FROM OPPOSITE SIDE THERE IS NO WAY TO EGRESS VEHICLE YOU ARE TRAPPED. *TR

Seat Belts

ODI #10140777

Incident: June 1, 2005 · Filed: October 25, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY TWO OF THE SEAT BELTS LOCKED AND THEY HELD THE PASSENGERS IN THE SEAT. THESE WERE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND DRIVER SIDE REAR. THE SEAT BELTS HAD TO BE UNBUCKLED AND THEN PUT BACK ON TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Suspension

ODI #10106910

Incident: December 4, 2004 · Filed: January 6, 2005

A SQUEAKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR LESS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO REPLACED.*AK

Electrical System; Visibility; Seat Belts; Structure

ODI #10101140

Incident: November 1, 2004 · Filed: November 5, 2004

APPROXIMATELY 60 DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO REAR SEAT BELTS. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN WITH NO KEY OR PERSON REQUIRED. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. SENSORS</A>, WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD AND WIPERS HAVE NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE THEY WORK RANDOMLY OR NOT AT ALL. *TC *JB

Visibility

ODI #10029780

Incident: June 24, 2003 · Filed: July 22, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT WINDSHIELD HAS A GLARE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

Power Train

ODI #8013804

Incident: June 4, 2002 · Filed: July 11, 2002

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD NOT/ GO INTO GEAR OR MOVE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED IT WAS DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSMISSION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #724874

Incident: July 3, 2000 · Filed: July 3, 2000

REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED AT 16552 MILES DUE TO WEAR. FRONT BRAKE PADS REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED AT 26,219 MILES DUE TO WEAR. DEALER CLAIMS THAT THESE ARE JUST "SOFTER PADS" AND IT IS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKES TO WEAR OUT THIS QUICKLY. I DON'T BUY IT. NO ONE HAS BEEN HURT-YET. *AK

Other Acura RL model years

Check your 1998 Acura RL VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Acura RL at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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