NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Acura RL Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2001 Acura RL has 2 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 2001 Acura RL, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2001 Acura RL owner complaints

Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Acura RL, describing incidents dated May 8, 2001 to March 10, 2020.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 5 complaints
Power Train 4 complaints
Service Brakes 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint

Of the 11 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11363527 · Filed October 9, 2020
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
ODI #10722868 · Filed June 2, 2015
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…
ODI #10466785 · Filed July 20, 2012
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…

Read all 11 complaints

Air Bag Inflators May Rupture or Underinflate Bag

NHTSA #20V027000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

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

Potentially affected: 875,966 vehicles

Repair completion: 13.98% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign U6R, H6S · Owners notified October 1, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

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 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.

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/BRAKE STOP SWITCH

NHTSA #02V119000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported May 14, 2002 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.

Potentially affected: 25,765 vehicles

Owners notified May 16, 2002 · Vehicles built February 14, 2000 – March 7, 2002 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2001 Acura RL 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

11 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Acura RL.

Air Bags

ODI #11363527

Incident: March 10, 2020 · Filed: October 9, 2020

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

Air Bags

ODI #10722868

Incident: June 2, 2015 · Filed: June 2, 2015

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.

Steering

ODI #10466785

Fire

Incident: January 4, 2012 · Filed: July 20, 2012

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10355493

Incident: September 11, 2010 · Filed: September 14, 2010

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.

Air Bags

ODI #10259711

Incident: January 22, 2009 · Filed: February 23, 2009

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

Air Bags

ODI #10251604

Incident: November 12, 2008 · Filed: December 12, 2008

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

Air Bags

ODI #10237807

Incident: August 5, 2008 · Filed: August 12, 2008

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.

Power Train

ODI #10008798

Filed: February 20, 2003

THE DIFFERENTIAL LEAKED OIL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A NOISE.*JB

Power Train

ODI #10006857

Incident: July 15, 2001 · Filed: February 10, 2003

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES.*JB

Power Train

ODI #752983

Incident: September 24, 2001 · Filed: October 6, 2001

TRANSMISSION ON THIS MODEL FAILING ACROSS THE NATION, ACURA NOT ACKNOWLEDGING. *AK

Other Acura RL model years

Check your 2001 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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