2007 Acura RL Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2007 Acura RL, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags733.3%
- Electrical314.3%
- Engine29.5%
- Driver assistance29.5%
- Fuel system29.5%
- Exterior lighting29.5%
- Interior & seats14.8%
- Brakes14.8%
- Powertrain (other)14.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA INFLATORS HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. 1ST NOTICE RECEIVED IN MARCH 2016. 2ND NOTICE JULY 2016. CONTACTED SONS ACURA IN MORROW, GA TO FACILITATE THE THE REPAIR PARTS STILL HAVE NOT ARRIVED. I AM THE TO DRIVE THE CAR. WHAT MUST I DO TO GET THIS REPAIR DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE?
TAKATA RECALL: I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER (SCANLON ACURA) UPON RECEIPT OF NHTSA RECALL 16V-344. THIS WAS IN EARLY JULY 2016. I WAS TOLD WHEN THE PART CAME IN I WOULD BE CONTACTED. IT IS NOW EARLY SEPTEMBER 2016 AND I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. I FIND THIS DISTRESSING AS I DO NOT HAVE FULL FUNCTIONALLY OF MY VEHICLE AND DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS ISSUE WILL BE RESOLVED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE DOOR HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, THE DRIVERS WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN , YOU ARE LOCK IN FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. *TR
THIS COMPLAINT HAS ALREADY BEEN FILED AS #10198855. I SEE NO WAY TO ADD OR EDIT THAT COMPLAINT BUT NEEDED TO PROVIDE A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM. BELOW IS A URL TO THAT VIDEO AND THE ISSUE RESTATED; I HAVE A CONSUMER FRAUD COMPLAINT AGAINST HONDA MOTOR CORP ? ACURA DIVISION, WHICH I?D LIKE FOR YOU TO REVIEW. HONDA MOTORS - MAKERS OF THE ACURA RL -- ARE SELLING THIS VEHICLE WITH A SAFETY FEATURE CALLED THE COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM (CMBS). IT IS $3000+ ADD-ON FEATURE AND IS DESCRIBED ON THEIR WEBSITE AND IN SALES LITERATURE AS A THREE STAGE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM. FULL TEXT CAN BE FOUND ON THEIR WEBSITE HERE; HTTP://WWW.HONDANEWS.COM/CATEGORIES/755/RELEASES/3766 I READ THE DESCRIPTION AND HAD TO HAVE IT FOR MY NEW TEENAGE DRIVER. IT SOUNDED GREAT FOR YOUNG INATTENTIVE DRIVERS AND EVEN FOR MYSELF ON LONG BUSINESS TRIPS AT NIGHT. PROBLEM IS, IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE DESCRIBED. NOT EVEN CLOSE. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR REPAIRS BUT ACURA TECHNICIANS TOLD ME IT'S WORKING AS INTENDED. ACURA CORPORATE REPS HAVE CONFIRMED IT. WHEN I ARGUED THE DISCREPANCY WITH THE SALES AND TECHNICAL LITERATURE, THEY SIMPLY SAID I'M MISINTERPRETING IT. WATCH MY VIDEO ON YOUTUBE, READ THE HONDA LITERATURE, AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF. HONDA IS PLAYING ON CONSUMERS FEARS AND OVERSTATING THIS FEATURE TO SELL CARS. THEY NEED TO BE EXPOSED AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE. HTTP://YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=VRMQB9DNNDU *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
At low speed while driving on a parking lot of a local supermarket. The Car surged without accelerator being pressed , causing an unintended acceleration that was dangerous to pedestrians. No check engine or other safety information was displayed.
HIGH LEVEL, ONE OF THE RODS THAT CONNECT TO THE ENGINE'S PISTONS SHOT OUT THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY, CAUSING ALL THE OIL TO SHOOT OUT, AND THE ENTIRE FUNCTION OF THE CAR TO STOP WORKING. THE ENGINE ESSENTIALLY DIED, CAUSING THE BRAKE, THE GAS, AND STEERING TO LOCK AND NOT WORK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
OIL SHOT OUT THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY, CAUSING ALL THE OIL TO SHOOT OUT, AND THE ENTIRE FUNCTION OF THE CAR TO STOP WORKING. THE ENGINE ESSENTIALLY DIED, CAUSING THE BRAKE, THE GAS, AND STEERING TO LOCK AND NOT WORK.CAR WENT FROM 65 MILES A HR TO 5 MILESW, VERY SCARY Summary 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. Consequence Power Steering Fluid Leaking Onto A HOT Catalytic Converter Will Generate Smoke and Possibly Lead TO AN Under-Hood Fire.
CAR ACCELERATES SPONTANEOUSLY WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND CAR IS SLOWING FOR TRAFFIC OR TRAFFIC LIGHTS, DIFFICULT TO STOP FORWARD MOTION WITH BRAKE PEDAL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
OIL SHOT OUT THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY, CAUSING ALL THE OIL TO SHOOT OUT, AND THE ENTIRE FUNCTION OF THE CAR TO STOP WORKING. THE ENGINE ESSENTIALLY DIED, CAUSING THE BRAKE, THE GAS, AND STEERING TO LOCK AND NOT WORK.CAR WENT FROM 65 MILES A HR TO 5 MILESW, VERY SCARY Summary 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. Consequence Power Steering Fluid Leaking Onto A HOT Catalytic Converter Will Generate Smoke and Possibly Lead TO AN Under-Hood Fire.
THE CAR LOST POWER AND ENGINE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF FREEWAY. ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN, AND WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. ON THE CENTRAL MONITOR DISPLAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE, EMISSION FAILURE LIGHT, AND SH-AWD (SUPER HANDLING ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM) FAILURE NOTICES. I DIDN'T WANT TO WAITING 3-5 HOURS FOR TOWING (EARLIES THAT ACURA CAN PROVIDE) IN 115 DEGREES HEAT, SO I KEPT ON TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. IT STARTED AFTER LIKE 30 ATTEMPTS, BUT THE ENTIRE CAR, INCLUDING INSIDE CABIN, SMELLED LIKE FUEL. DEALER IS SAYING IT'S THE FUEL PUMP, BUT CAN'T GUARANTEE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
2007 ACURA RL, 34,500 MILES, STARTING IN NOV. 2009 THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHEN I AM DRIVING. HAPPENED 5 TIMES SO FAR.. THE BULBS ARE FINE. HAD TO PULL OVER AND TURN LIGHTS ON AND OFF TO RESTART LIGHTS. I BELIEVE IT WAS RIGHT SIDE ONLY. NO REPAIRS MADE AT THIS TIME. CONTACTED DEALER, THEY SAID THEY HAVE HEARD OF SIMILAR HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS ON THE ACURA RL CARS. *TR
I HAVE A 2007 ACURA RL, ON APPROX. NOV. 22, 2009 AND 3 TIMES IN TOTAL SO FAR THAT WEEK THE HEAD LIGHTS START FLICKERING FOR NO REASON WHEN I WENT OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THIS MADE IT VERY HARD TO DRIVE AND I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO BE SAFE AS IT WAS DARK OUT. THE LIGHT SWITCH WAS IN THE NORMAL ON POSITION [ NOT AUTO ]. I WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY OTHERS ADVISED THEY DID! I AM GOING TO CONTACT ACURA AS SOON AS I CAN. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED PLEASE. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, AS SOME PEOPLE ADVISED THEIR HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF COMPLETELY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WITH THE DOOR HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, THE DRIVERS WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN , YOU ARE LOCK IN FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS COMPLAINT HAS ALREADY BEEN FILED AS #10198855. I SEE NO WAY TO ADD OR EDIT THAT COMPLAINT BUT NEEDED TO PROVIDE A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM. BELOW IS A URL TO THAT VIDEO AND THE ISSUE RESTATED; I HAVE A CONSUMER FRAUD COMPLAINT AGAINST HONDA MOTOR CORP ? ACURA DIVISION, WHICH I?D LIKE FOR YOU TO REVIEW. HONDA MOTORS - MAKERS OF THE ACURA RL -- ARE SELLING THIS VEHICLE WITH A SAFETY FEATURE CALLED THE COLLISION MITIGATION BRAKING SYSTEM (CMBS). IT IS $3000+ ADD-ON FEATURE AND IS DESCRIBED ON THEIR WEBSITE AND IN SALES LITERATURE AS A THREE STAGE EARLY WARNING SYSTEM. FULL TEXT CAN BE FOUND ON THEIR WEBSITE HERE; HTTP://WWW.HONDANEWS.COM/CATEGORIES/755/RELEASES/3766 I READ THE DESCRIPTION AND HAD TO HAVE IT FOR MY NEW TEENAGE DRIVER. IT SOUNDED GREAT FOR YOUNG INATTENTIVE DRIVERS AND EVEN FOR MYSELF ON LONG BUSINESS TRIPS AT NIGHT. PROBLEM IS, IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE DESCRIBED. NOT EVEN CLOSE. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR REPAIRS BUT ACURA TECHNICIANS TOLD ME IT'S WORKING AS INTENDED. ACURA CORPORATE REPS HAVE CONFIRMED IT. WHEN I ARGUED THE DISCREPANCY WITH THE SALES AND TECHNICAL LITERATURE, THEY SIMPLY SAID I'M MISINTERPRETING IT. WATCH MY VIDEO ON YOUTUBE, READ THE HONDA LITERATURE, AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF. HONDA IS PLAYING ON CONSUMERS FEARS AND OVERSTATING THIS FEATURE TO SELL CARS. THEY NEED TO BE EXPOSED AND HELD ACCOUNTABLE. HTTP://YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=VRMQB9DNNDU *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
SH-AWD will randomly come on and I’ll lose power suddenly as it switches from awd to front wheel drive. It can be scary especially if you are accelerating to get up to speed for the freeway or trying to take a quick left hand turn. The whole car shutters while the awd kicks off. It happens randomly, it has probably happened 15-20 I’ve the last few years
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .