2001 Acura RL: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 12 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
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 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I received a safety recall letter in the mail in march 2020. When I called the acura dealer in charlotte they told me that the part would be there in july, called in july they said august called in september and they said that the part is still not there”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“I called acura to see if the type air bag inflator in my car used ammonium nitrate. My car is not on the recalled list but given the nature of the problem I was going to replace, at least the driver's side, if the inflator was using the unstable propellant. Acura would not provide me any information. I called NHTSA and they told me to provide information to this site to see if I can get the information to protect myself and family regardless of the corporate decision.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 acura rl. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, smoke started to emit from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the steering pump was leaking onto the catalytic converter or the engine. As a result, the power steering pump and hose needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 145,000. Updated 09/06/2012 *js”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2012
Show 4 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 acura 3.5rl. The contact stated that the rear driver side tire became flat. The contact replaced the tire with the spare and within a couple of miles, the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact then experienced a loss of braking power and the rear wheels were spinning abnormally at different rates. The contact then shut off the vehicle and when restarting, the vehicle resumed normal braking operation. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The failure and current mileage was 110,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2010
“The srs (supplemental restraint system) light came on and I took the vehicle to the dealer. They found an error code 15-1 and they reset the light but said they did not find anything wrong with the srs system. I found another complaint (#10251604) and have the same question why this is not regarded as a safety concern. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2009
“2001 acura rl. Srs light is on. Dealer checked and found problem with opds unit and sensor and replaced. After replacement, re-initialized the system but the srs stays on. Now, turn out that the srs control unit is bad. Dealer said it will cost approx $2000 to replace the srs control unit. Why srs control unit is not considered a safety item? *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2008
“2001 acura 3.5 rl srs light elluminates opds sensor or module are replaceable under warranty but opds brain or unit is not covered and this is the part that is causing the srs light to elluminate. Dealer says it is faulty and can not be replaced free. So now I have no air bags in the event of an accident.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2008
Recalls - 2 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.
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 2001 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 2001 Acura RL reliable?
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Acura RL. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2001 Acura RL have open recalls?
2 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.