2000 Acura RL: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 59 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (38% of complaints); the 1998 and 1999 and 2001 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2000 Acura RL. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light, and the vehicle stability assist (VSA) system warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced; however, the part had been discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Air · Jun 2022
“The contact owns a 2000 Acura RL. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V027000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2021
“I have received a notice from america honda motor company on march 2020 (NHTSA recall 20v-026) that the inflator inside the driver frontal airbag module may absorb moisture, which may cause the driver frontal airbag to malfunction in a crash where the airbag deploys. The letter states "the replacement parts needed to repair your vehicle, if necessary, are not available and acura is unable to inspect/repair your vehicle at this time." I called a local acura dealer on 9/1/2020 and was told that the parts are still not available and they are expected may 2021. This timeframe seems unreasonable to me.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2000 acura rl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called acura of memphis (2611 ridgeway rd, memphis, tn 38119, (901) 630-4664) where it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 acura rl. When the vehicle was started, the air bag light remained illuminated. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2016
“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 sensors that are going out in my vehicle .”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 acura rl. The contact stated that a bolt prematurely fractured internally associated with the transmission and the gear train differential failed. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, there was a drastic reduction in speed and the accelerator pedal did not respond. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop who diagnosed that the gear train differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 99v227000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no remedy. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 159,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2015
“Srs light on the dash stays on. It is my understanding that the airbags will not deploy with light on. I had an independent mechanic determine that the airbag control module needs to be replaced. I believe this should be a repair that should be covered by a manufacturer warranty. Based on review of the safercar.gov website there are several other incidents of this same problem for this make, model and year.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2015
“The steering wheel column will not adjust. It is stuck in the highest position. The plastic gear is broken and the local acura dealer wants over $2000 to replace the whole thing. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2014
“At a red light stopped. When light turned green I pressed accelerator to go and it just stalled with the engine revving up. Finally it started moving forward slowly. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · May 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY HAVE INTERNAL CORROSION, RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact RL by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Acura RL reliable?
NHTSA has 59 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Acura RL. The most complained-about area is air bags (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Acura RL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 77,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Acura RL have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.