VehicleVerdict

1999 Acura RL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 1999 Acura RL — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

26

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other RL years?

RL NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted153 complaints1996: 26 complaints1997: 24 complaints1998: 16 complaints1999: 26 complaints2000: 79 complaints2001: 12 complaints2002: 54 complaints2003: 11 complaints2004: 16 complaints2005: 153 complaints2006: 39 complaints2007: 24 complaints2008: 14 complaints2009: 14 complaints2010: 10 complaints2011: 3 complaints2012: 1 complaints2015: 3 complaints
RL NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all RL years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Acura RL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags935%
Visibility & Wipers415%
Seat Belts312%
Fuel System28%
Transmission28%
Electrical System28%
Brakes14%
Other14%
Suspension14%
Tires & Wheels14%

Does the 1999 Acura RL have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V026000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 1,439,841 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

99V227000TransmissionAugust 19, 1999 · 96,518 units

Defect

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

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE CONTACT REFERRED TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL WHICH INDICATED IF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, IT WAS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 4, 2006

“99 3.5 RL REAR VIEW MIRROR LEAKING TOXIC MATERIAL. CAUSED SICKNESS. AFTER CONTACTING ACURA, THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO REMOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR (BECAUSE OF HEALTH ISSUES) ONLY. THEREFORE, I WOULD NOT HAVE A REAR VIEW MIRROR, WHICH WOULD ATTRIBUTE TO A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 12, 2006

“ACCURA ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION TO CORRECT PROBLEM IF THE SRS (SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM INDICATOR) LIGHT STAYS ON. WHEN CAR BROUGHT IN FOR WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A FREE OF CHARGE REPAIR I WAS TOLD ONLY 2 OF THE 3 BROKEN SYSTEM COMPONENTS WAS COVERED AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,150. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · June 8, 2008

“CAR HAD ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THE ODOMETER KEEP HAVING EQUAL NUMBERS ALOT OF THE TIME. ALSO ACCELERATION KEPT CHANGING ON ITS OWN. AS I WAS DRIVING AND ALSO ON THE HIGHWAY GOING TOWARDS OREGON. IN JULY OF 2016. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 25, 2016

“WHILE FEEDING THE FUEL TANK FLAMES CAME OUT OF FUEL TANK.CONSUMER FAST RECAPED THE TANK, AND FIRE WAS PUT OUT. CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL SAFE IN VEHICLE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 23, 2001 · fire

1999 Acura RL — common questions

Is the 1999 Acura RL reliable?

The record is thin — 26 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1999 RL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (9 complaints), visibility & wipers (4 complaints), seat belts (3 complaints).

Does the 1999 Acura RL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Acura RL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Acura RL years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the RL years to avoid are 2005, 2000, 2002, 2006. The cleanest record among RL years belongs to 2012.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.