NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Acura RL Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2005 Acura RL has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns and 125 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 2005 Acura RL, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2005 Acura RL owner complaints

Owners have filed 125 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Acura RL, describing incidents dated April 5, 2004 to April 16, 2025.

Most-cited components

Exterior Lighting 49 complaints
Air Bags 36 complaints
Electrical System 18 complaints
Service Brakes 8 complaints
Structure 7 complaints
Unknown or Other 5 complaints

Of the 125 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 125 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11656922 · Filed April 26, 2025
I bought the car there was no airbag light on it I was driving down my road and it just randomly turned on been on ever since. Sunnyside Acura Told me that the frontal driver side airbag was replaced in 2016, Then they told me that it would not be under recall because they pretty much said they had…
ODI #11529219 · Filed June 27, 2023
The center display screen went blank (black) and I can't adjust anything
ODI #11430934 · Filed August 29, 2021
Small electric fire in driver side door panel melted all the way through outside door handle . After this happened to me I looked through forums and this seems to be a common issue with this car and there has been no recall for this issue . Very unsafe

Read all 125 complaints

Owner-reported

2005 Acura RL mileage at failure

77 of the 125 complaints on file for the 2005 Acura RL give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Exterior Lighting	Median 75,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–120,000 miles	Based on 39 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 Acura RL in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA15-001: Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since February 24, 2015
- Recall 14V-668
- Recall 15V-284
- Recall 15V-285
- Recall 15V-286
- Recall 15V-287
- Recall 15V-312
- and 188 more on the investigation page
Preliminary Evaluation PE14-016: Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Closed March 2, 2015
- Recall 13V-172
- Recall 14V-428
- Recall 14V-700
- Recall 14V-763
- Recall 14V-770
- Recall 14V-787
- and 3 more on the investigation page
Engineering Analysis EA13-002: Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction
Closed March 29, 2013
- Recall 13V-092

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #19V500000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 27, 2019 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 1,558 vehicles

Repair completion: 71.05% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign S5B, W59 · Owners notified August 12, 2019 · Vehicles built July 26, 2004 – June 10, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

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.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

NHTSA #19V501000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported June 27, 2019 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 1,657,752 vehicles

Repair completion: 47.72% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign E5D, X5C · Owners notified August 12, 2019 · Vehicles built July 15, 2004 – June 21, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

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.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #17V029000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 10, 2017 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 308,884 vehicles

Repair completion: 71.85% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign KD9, KE0 · Owners notified February 27, 2017 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

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.

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #16V344000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported May 23, 2016 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 1,790,894 vehicles

Repair completion: 57.83% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign KA0, KA1, KA2, KA3 · Owners notified June 29, 2016 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Safety consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

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.

Driver's Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #16V061000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported February 3, 2016 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 2,232,187 vehicles

Repair completion: 85.63% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign JY0, JY1, JY2 · Owners notified February 22, 2017 · Vehicles built February 23, 2004 – June 23, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

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.

Passenger Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

NHTSA #14V700000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported November 4, 2014 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Owners notified January 26, 2015 · Vehicles built July 15, 2004 – October 8, 2004 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

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.Note: This recall supersedes safety recall 14V-353, with the exception of vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in California.Those vehicles will continue to be addressed, and a free remedy provided, under that safety recall campaign.This recall also includes vehicles in the specific geographic areas listed above that were included within safety recalls 13V-132 and 14V-349.

Passenger Side Air Bag Inflator may Rupture

NHTSA #14V353000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported June 20, 2014 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 133,207 vehicles

Repair completion: 70% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign JH6,JH7,JH8,JH9,JJ0 · Owners notified September 12, 2014 · Vehicles built July 15, 2004 – October 8, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Safety consequence

Manufacturer remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

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.

Inadvertent Application of Brakes

NHTSA #13V092000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice

Reported March 14, 2013 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Potentially affected: 183,576 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign S87, S88, S89 · Owners notified April 22, 2013 · Vehicles built March 1, 2004 – June 29, 2005 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 Pilot vehicles manufactured July 29, 2004, through August 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 16, 2004, through September 22, 2005; and model year 2005 Acura RL vehicles manufactured March 1, 2004, through June 29, 2005. An electrical capacitor may have been damaged during the manufacturing of the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) control module causing intermittent, automatic, minor brake application. However, if the driver applies the brakes while the VSA is malfunctioning, the vehicle may come to an abrupt stop. Additionally, due to a loose ground connection, certain model year 2005 Pilots have a VSA system that may apply partial brake force, without the illumination of the brake lights, whether or not the driver is using the brakes.

Safety consequence

Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a dealer of their respective brand. The dealer will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the VSA modulator, free of charge. The affected model year 2005 Pilots will have their ground connection tightened. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Honda owners may contact Honda Automobile Customer Service at 1-800-999-1009, and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.honda.com; Acura owners may contact 1-800-382-2238, and select option 4, or go to www.recalls.acura.com.

Notes

Honda's recall campaign numbers are S87, S88, and S89.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.

BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER

NHTSA #10V504000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Master Cylinder · NHTSA notice

Reported October 22, 2010 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Potentially affected: 471,820 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign R51 HONDA R52 ACURA · Owners notified December 31, 2010 · Vehicles built February 23, 2004 – June 23, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ODYSSEY AND ACURA RL VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS A LUBRICANT FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.

Safety consequence

A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Notes

SAFETY RECALL NO. R51 HONDA R52 ACURA.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

POWER STEERING HOSE OIL LEAKING

NHTSA #07V551000 · Steering — Hydraulic Power Assist — Hose, Piping, and Connections · NHTSA notice

Reported December 4, 2007 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Potentially affected: 43,200 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign Q65 · Owners notified December 12, 2007 · Vehicles built March 1, 2004 – June 29, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PROLONGED HIGH UNDER-HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY CAUSING THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING FLUID.

Safety consequence

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO A HOT CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HEAT RESISTANT POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 800-382-2238.

Notes

HONDA RECALL NO. Q65.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FUEL PUMP RELAY

NHTSA #07V097000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported March 14, 2007 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)

Potentially affected: 166,561 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign Q37 Q38 · Owners notified April 2, 2007 · Vehicles built April 1, 2005 – May 31, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, A COIL WIRE INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO LOSE POWER. IF THE FUEL PUMP BECOMES INOPERATIVE, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START.

Safety consequence

IF THE FUEL PUMP LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING, AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Notes

HONDA RECALL NO. Q37 AND Q38.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2005 Acura RL 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

10% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

3 investigations

125 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Acura RL.

Air Bags

ODI #11656922

Incident: April 16, 2025 · Filed: April 26, 2025

I bought the car there was no airbag light on it I was driving down my road and it just randomly turned on been on ever since. Sunnyside Acura Told me that the frontal driver side airbag was replaced in 2016, Then they told me that it would not be under recall because they pretty much said they had already fixed it but the problem had occurred. They said it was done it 2016 the air bag should last the life of the vehicle. I was doing some research on Kelley Blue Book I had noticed that there is a campaign number and it sounds exactly like they issue that I was occurring that Acura told me and charged me $189 for diagnosis and told be about 2K to replace airbag . The campaign number is 19V501000 and it says August 12th 2019 is when the recall stated but Acura is showing not results and it is a safety issue so I would assume that it would be free of charge because of the safety issue not being my fault and having no history of car crashes and maintenance back to 2005 was done. .

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11529219

Incident: January 29, 2023 · Filed: June 27, 2023

The center display screen went blank (black) and I can't adjust anything

Electrical System

ODI #11430934

Fire

Incident: August 29, 2021 · Filed: August 29, 2021

Small electric fire in driver side door panel melted all the way through outside door handle . After this happened to me I looked through forums and this seems to be a common issue with this car and there has been no recall for this issue . Very unsafe

Structure

ODI #11327339

Incident: April 22, 2017 · Filed: June 4, 2020

MY VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD GLOVE BOX IS DEFECTIVE. I BELIEVE THIS HAPPENS TO MANY VEHICLES WHICH NO ONE BOTHERS TO REPORT. MY GLOVE BOX, WHEN IT'S HOT OR THE SUN IS OUT, THE EXTERNAL LEATHER OR MATERIAL THAT IT IS MADE OF, SOFTENS AND DETERIORATED LIKE IT'S MELTED PLASTIC. ANY CONTACT THE LEATHER HAS WITH ANYTHING, THE LEATHER IS DAMAGED EASILY AND INDENTED VERY BADLY WHERE IT'S UNABLE TO REPAIR BESIDES TAKING IT TO A PROFESSIONAL. I'VE NOTICED MANY OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE, AND IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT I. THE VEHICLE WHICH IS OVERLOOKED TO BE RECALLED. I'VE HAD MY SUNSHADE JUST TEMPORARILY LEFT TO LAY AGAINST THE GLOVE BOX IN THE SUN FOR ONLY A FEW MINUTES, AND THE LEATHER ON THE GLOVE BOX WAS INDENTED AND TORN FROM THE LIGHTWEIGHT SUNSHADE. *TR

Exterior Lighting; Air Bags

ODI #11301852

Incident: January 20, 2020 · Filed: January 25, 2020

CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT ON. CONNECTION TO HEADLIGHT DEFECTIVE, HEADLIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF RANDOMLY LIKE WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP, BUT TURNS BACK ON IF YOU TURN LIGHT OFF THEN ON AGAIN.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11281621

Incident: November 21, 2019 · Filed: November 21, 2019

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN SHIFTED TO N DURING AN EVENT, TACHOMETER READS 6000 RPM. THROTTLE PEDAL AND AREA ARE CLEAR, NO CODES.

Air Bags

ODI #11281525

Crash 1 injury

Incident: November 9, 2018 · Filed: November 21, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON WAS DRIVING AND APPROACHED A CRASH THAT HAD ALREADY TAKEN PLACE. THE VICTIM OF THE CRASH WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS LYING IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT'S SON SWERVED INTO THE OTHER LANE AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE THAT WAS INVOLVED IN THE CRASH AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER'S VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND THEN LANDED UPRIGHT AGAIN. THE CONTACT'S SON SUSTAINED HEAD TRAUMA, CUTS TO THE EYES, A BROKEN NOSE, AND ONE OF HIS EYELIDS WAS DETACHED FROM HIS EYE AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED BY A PLASTIC SURGEON. HE WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE REMAINED FOR A MONTH AND A HALF, BATTLING INFECTIONS DURING HIS RECOVERY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE OTHER FIVE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A WRECKING YARD TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.*DT CRASH REPORT (XXX) LICENSE NUMBER (XXX) VIN (XXXXXX) VEH LICENSE NUMBER (XXX) ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11155315

Incident: November 30, 2018 · Filed: December 1, 2018

HID HEADLIGHTS. MY PROBLEM HAS BEEN WITH MY HEADLIGHTS EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IN JULY OF 2015. EVERY NOW AND THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD FLICKER AND GO OUT. I CAN GET THE HEADLLIGHT TO COME BACK ON BY TURNING OFF THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURNING THEM BACK ON. THE PROBLEM CAN BE SO BAD AT TIMES THAT I HAVE TO DO IT REPEATEDLY WHILE I'M DRIVING. I DO MOST OF MY DRIVING AT NIGHT SO THIS HAS BECOME A VERY REAL ISSUE FOR ME. I'VE READ HOW OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUT ACURA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. IT'S A COSTLY REPAIR ESPECIALLY IF THEY CAN'T FIND EXACTLY WHAT THE ISSUE IS. I'VE ALREADY GOTTEN STOPPED BY A POLICEMAN ABOUT THE HEADLIGHT BEING OUT. AND WHEN I EXPLAINED TO HIM WHAT THE ISSUE WAS HE LET ME GO ONCE I SHOWED HIM THAT IT CAME BACK ON. THE CAR ITSELF HAS BEEN AMAZING TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY HOW HARD I'VE DRIVEN IT OVER THE YEARS AND IT NOW HAS ABOUT 238,000 MILES ON IT OF WHICH I PUT ABOUT 95,000 MILES. OTHER MAJOR REPAIRS LIKE THE AIR CONDITIONING I HAD REPLACED WITHIN A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS NOT SO LUCKY WITH THE RADIATOR THAT WENT UP. THE WHOLE ORDEAL ENDED UP COSTING OVER $1000 AT A AAA AUTO REPAIR CENTER. I STILL SAY IT IS AN AMAZING CAR FOR THE TECHNOLOGY, ROAD MILES, AND AGE OF VEHICLE. I PURCHASED IT BECAUSE IT WAS ALL-WHEEL DRIVE AND THE PRICE WAS JUST UNDER $10K BACK IN 2015. THIS CAR NEW WAS MORE LIKE $50K-$55K. I WISH THAT ACURA WOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FOR THE HID SYSTEM. I ACTUALLY READ HOW ONE OWNER HAD BOTH HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. SCARY TO EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT HAPPENING AT THE WRONG TIME AND THEY NOT KNOWING HOW TO FIX IT THE WAY I LEARNED WHICH IS TO TURN THEM OFF AND ON. SOMETIMES I CAN GO SEVERAL MONTHS WITH NO ISSUES AND THEN OTHERS IT HAPPENS JUST ABOUT EVERY NIGHT DEPENDING ON CLIMATE I SOMETIMES THINK, SPECIFICALLY, HUMIDITY, BUT I CAN'T BE SURE.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10957674

Incident: February 27, 2017 · Filed: February 28, 2017

THE HEADLIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES ITS ONE AND SOMETIMES BOTH. YOU HAVE TO TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON AND THEY TURN BACK ON. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #10945417

Incident: January 7, 2017 · Filed: January 15, 2017

DOOR HANDLE STARTED SMOKING AND WILL NOT LET START GPS DISPLAY SCREEN DOES NOT WORK CLOCK DISPLAY DOES NOT WORK VSA LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME CAR WAS STATIONARY BURNT OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE.

Other Acura RL model years

Check your 2005 Acura RL VIN

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