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2010 Acura RL

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Sep 21, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest Jun 27, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Acura RL, most frequently naming the airbags, body & structure and driver assistance categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 62 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags770.0%
  • Body & structure110.0%
  • Driver assistance110.0%
  • Exterior lighting110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V501000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jun 27, 2019
1,657,752 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number E5D, X5CView on NHTSA.gov
19V500000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jun 27, 2019
1,558 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number S5B, W59View on NHTSA.gov
18V662000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Sep 27, 2018
57,095 units potentially affected
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles nationwide. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2012 Acura RL, 2011 Honda Element and 2011-2013 Ridgeline vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the 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. Lastly, if not included above, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2011 Honda Element, 2010-2012 Acura RL and 2010-2013 Ridgeline vehicles 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 air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are H2H and S2I.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number H2H, S2IView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 9
Airbags
Filed Sep 21, 2016

TAKATA RECALL - WE RECEIVED AN "IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL" NOTICE, INFORMING US OF THE DEFECTS IN PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG INFLATORS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE NATURE OF THE DEFECT IS SUCH THAT I WOULD NOT FEEL SAFE HAVING MYSELF OR A FAMILY MEMBER RIDE IN THE VEHICLE IN THE PASSENGER-SIDE FRONT SEAT. A SIMILAR RECALL NOTICE CAME OUT ABOUT THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAGS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. THAT PART WAS AVAILABLE QUICKLY, AND THE REPAIR WORK FOR THE RECALL DONE EXPEDITIOUSLY. I HAVE TO ASSUME THAT IS BECAUSE MY DEALERSHIP (OR AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CORPORATION) WAS PAYING FOR MY RENTAL CAR IN THE INTERIM. I THINK IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG FOR THIS REPAIR/RECALL TO BE ADDRESSED, AS I RECEIVED THE NOTICE AND CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE TWO MONTHS AGO. IT IS DECIDEDLY INCONVENIENT TO HAVE TO USE TWO VEHICLES TO TRANSPORT MY FAMILY PLACES, AS NO ONE CAN RIDE IN THE FRONT SEAT AND BE ENSURED THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AND AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, THE RISK OF DEATH OR GREAT BODILY INJURY WOULD NOT OCCUR. PLEASE TELL ME HOW I CAN GO ABOUT GETTING THIS REPAIR DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS I THINK THAT THE PRICE OF A RENTAL VEHICLE TO USE IN THE INTERIM SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE COVERED BY THE DEALER, BASED ON THE NATURE OF THE DEFECT.

NHTSA ID
10908600
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Sep 12, 2016

TAKATA RECALL--FIRST CALLED TO ORDER PARTS IN RECALL ( DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATORS) ON JULY 7. JUST CALLED ( SEPTEMBER 12) AND PARTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR SINCE THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG IS AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. I DO NOT FEEL THEY ARE RESPONDING IN AN APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF TIME TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. DEALER HAD NO IDEA WHEN PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. IT'S BEEN WELL OVER 60 DAYS SINCE I FIRST CALLED TO HAVE PARTS REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10905880
Incident
Jul 7, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 22, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V061000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V344000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10897734
Incident
May 4, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 22, 2016

TAKATA RECALL TRYING TO GET A REPLACEMENT RENTAL NO ONE RETURNS CALLS HAVE CALLED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS JUST GET A RUN AROUND NAPLETONS PALM BEACH ACURA DOES NOT WANT TO HELP THEY TOLD ME TO CALL ANOTHER DEALER..VERY UNPROFESSIONAL ..I REQUESTED NEW AIR BAG IN MAY 2016 AND THEY SAID NO LATTER THAN JULY...THIS IS TRUELY A POOR ORGANIZATION

NHTSA ID
10897719
Incident
Aug 22, 2016
Mileage
40,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 12, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECIEVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10895395
Incident
Aug 12, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 6, 2016

TAKATA RECALL: I WAS JUST NOTIFIED ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3, 2016 BY TELEPHONE BY ACURA EXECUTIVE CUSTOMER RELATIONS THAT MY PASSENGER AIRBAG REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN ORDERED. THIS WOMAN NOTIFIED ME ADDITIONALLY THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYONE SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I PURCHASED THIS CAR AS A FAMILY CAR, A FAMILY SEDAN. I MUST HAVE AVAILABILITY OF MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT; IT CANNOT GO EMPTY. I STATED THIS TO ACURA AND REQUESTED THEY TAKE SPECIFIC ACTION BECAUSE THEY NEED TO GET ME A RENTAL VEHICLE IF NO ONE CAN SIT ON MY FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WITHOUT RISKING THEIR LIFE BECAUSE OF PROFIT DRIVEN MOTIVES BY TAKATA AND ACURA. THIS IS MY SECOND 2010 ACURA RL; THE FIRST ONE WAS TOTALED IN AN FRONT-TO-REAR-END COLLISION WHERE MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED. FORTUNATELY, THIS DEPLOYMENT DID NOT RESULT IN THE RELEASE OF METAL SHARDS. FURTHERMORE, I DROVE MY CURRENT RL AT RISK OF LOSING MY LIFE BECAUSE OF METAL SHARDS IN THE AIRBAG FOR THE DURATION UNTIL REPLACEMENT UNDER RECALL. I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN ENOUGH RISK OF LOSING MY LIFE AND/OR HEALTH AND THIS CANNOT CONTINUE. I DEMAND ACURA TAKE IMMEDIATE (I MEAN IMMEDIATE) STEPS TO GET ME A COMPARABLE RENTAL CAR. IF THEY DON'T RESPOND WITH AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION, I WILL RENT A CAR MYSELF AND WILL SUBMIT THE BILL TO ACURA FOR CHARGES INCURRED. SINCE THAT TELEPHONE CALL, I WENT THROUGH MY UNOPENED MAIL AND DISCOVERED THE RECALL NOTICE; THE LETTER IS DATED "JULY 2016". IT IS INTERESTING THIS COMPANY IS NOT CAPABLE OF INSTALLING AN ACTUAL DATE ON THE LETTERHEAD AND IS ALLOWED TO SIMPLY STATE AN ENTIRE MONTH. IN THAT LETTER, COMPLAINT PROCEDURES ARE EXPLAINED TO INCLUDE THAT I MAY FILE A COMPLAINT AFTER 60 DAYS. I SPOKE WITH MY OAKLAND ACURA DEALER WHO HAS MY RECALL PART ON ORDER AND HE SAID IT WOULD BE 3-4 WEEKS AT LEAST AND LIKELY MORE UNTIL A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG IS AVAILABLE FOR INSTALLATION. AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION IS REQUIRED.

NHTSA ID
10893687
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jul 27, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V061000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/28/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID
10889031
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
Body & structureExterior lighting
Filed Nov 17, 2010

2010 ACURA RL. CONSUMER STATES FAULT WITH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT DESIGN WHICH RESULTS IN A SERIOUS LACK OF VISION BEYOND 30 YARDS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT ON A RURAL ROAD AS HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE A DETOUR SIGN DUE TO ROAD FLOODING UNTIL IT WAS ALMOST TOO LATE TO STOP. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE TOP OF THE FENDER DESIGN SEEMED TO ACT AS A HOOD WHICH OBSCURED ALL OF THE ROADWAY BEYOND THIRTY FEET. *JB

NHTSA ID
10366295
Incident
Nov 1, 2010

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B18-023

AIR BAGS

Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.

B18-020

AIR BAGS

Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag Inflator for 2013-14 ILX Hybrid and Other Listed Years and Models.

B23040A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in rollover of internal chip memory. The rollover occurred on January 1, 2022 at 12:00AM local time

B18-020

AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.

B18-020

AIR BAGS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; EQUIPMENT

Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.

B21120A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in "rollover" of the internal chip memory; the "rollover" will occur on January 1, 2022, at 12:00AM local time. As a result, the navigation date and time will be incorrect.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Acura RL by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017000—
2016000—
2015200—
2014000—
2013000—
2012160—
2011360—
2010Viewing970—
2009860—
2008136048.9
2007207067.5
2006328052.6
200512511356.7
2004110033.9
2003910—
2002432041.3
2001122045.0
2000594049.6
1999242049.5
1998113039.5
1997192049.8
1996223052.6

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.