VehicleVerdict

2000 Acura RL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 79 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.9 times the median RL year — the 2000 model ranks #2 of 18 RL years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 26 reports (33% of the total).

79

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other RL years?

RL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 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, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all RL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Acura RL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2633%
Electrical System1114%
Transmission79%
Brakes68%
Seat Belts56%
Visibility & Wipers45%
Speed Control45%
Steering45%
Engine34%
Other34%
Fuel System23%
Lighting23%
Driver Assistance11%
Body & Structure11%

Does the 2000 Acura RL have recalls?

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

20V027000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 875,966 units

Defect

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.

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 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.

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.

03V239000BrakesJuly 2, 2003 · 814 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY HAVE INTERNAL CORROSION, RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.

Consequence

THE CORROSION COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE A COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY, RESERVOIR, AND BRAKE FLUID. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 28, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

02V119000LightingMay 14, 2002 · 25,765 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEMS MAY HAVE CAUSE ONE CRASH. BF THE CONSUMER HIT A VEHICLE WHICH WAS STOPPED IN A TURNING LANE AT 35 MPH. WHEN THE VEHICLE CRASHED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THROTTLE BODY WAS BENT. FAULTY WINDOW REGULATOR CAUSED THE WINDOW TO NOT CLOSE. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 1, 2002 · crash

“THE SRS SENSOR JUS POP ON THE ABS SENSOR POP ON ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POPS I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AND ALSO I HEARD TICKING AND TAPPING AND THE ENGINE STARTED JUMPING WHETHER I'M GOING SLOW OR FAST I REALLY NEED SOME SERIOUS HELP WHY IS BECAUSE I CAN POSSIBLY BE IN GREAT DANGER DO TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 8, 2015

“I AM HAVING DIFFICULTIES WITH MY IGNITION SWITCH NOT WORKING AT TIMES. WHEN I ATTEMPT TO START MY VEHICLE AFTER TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT WON'T START. WHEN I TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND PLACE IT BACK IN ABOUT THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME TO TRY AND START IT, IT EVENTUALLY STARTS. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 1, 2011

“WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A CURB. DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT BE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 30, 2004 · crash

“SRS LIGHT APPEARS IN DASH INDICATING FAILURE OF THE OPDS UNIT (OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM) THIS UNIT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AIRBAG/SEAT BELT DETECTION AND DEPLOYMENT. THIS COMPONENT SHOULD BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS SEAT BELT/AIRBAG RELATED. THIS COMPONENT FAILS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · November 1, 2005

2000 Acura RL — common questions

Is the 2000 Acura RL reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 79 complaints put the 2000 model at #2 of 18 RL years. It is one of the RL years to avoid.

What are the most common 2000 RL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (26 complaints), electrical system (11 complaints), transmission (7 complaints).

Does the 2000 Acura RL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 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.