1996 Acura RL Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 14%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 125,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Acura RL, 14% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 125,500 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Contact owns a 1996 Acura RL. While driving 40 MPH, a strong burning odor was noticed coming from the front of the vehicle. The instrument panel lights dimmed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10882156, filed 2016-07, 179,000 miles“The contact owns a 1996 Acura 3.5rl. On october 22, 2007, the contact entered the vehicle and smelled smoke. She then heard a popping sound and noticed smoke coming from the dashboard. The odometer and speedometer lights were not illuminated. She was able to drive the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that the circuit board burned out and needed to be replaced. The purchase date and powertrain were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 125,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10206675, filed 2007-10, 125,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10018038Jul 1, 2005Speedometer shops can transfer odometer mileage. Acura. Servicenews.
- 10014071Nov 16, 2002Odometer accuracy.
- 10014067Nov 16, 2002The homelink system may have test information stored in memory that must be erased before it can be programmed.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 13% |
| 2008 | 1 | 8% |
| 2007 | 2 | 10% |
| 2006 | 8 | 25% |
| 2005 | 18 | 14% |
| 2004 | 5 | 45% |
| 2003 | 1 | 11% |
| 2002 | 5 | 12% |
| 2000 | 9 | 15% |
| 1999 | 2 | 8% |
| 1998 | 1 | 9% |
| 1997 | 4 | 21% |
| 1996 | 3 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1996 Acura RL
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Acura RL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology