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Acura RLModel year report

1998 Acura RL Problems

Complaints
11filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
99,446miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Acura RL (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1998 Acura RL. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (18% of the total), followed by seat belts (2) and body and structure (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 99,446 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 12 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall. The contact owns a 1998 Acura RL. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v026000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was not contacted. 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11340379, filed 2020-07

Seat belts: “Approximately 60 days after the vehicle was purchased it was discovered that the vehicle had no rear seat belts. The consumer stated that the engine started on its own with no key or person required. When it rained, water leaked into the vehicle. Sensors</a>, warning lights on the dash board and wipers have not functioned properly since the purchase of the vehicle they work randomly or not at all.”

NHTSA complaint #10101140, filed 2004-11, 99,446 miles

Body and structure: “1998 Acura and other honda vehicles interior door handles on drivers side fails not allowing drivers to egress the vehicle. You cant open the door from inside. The only way out of the vehicle if sitting in the drivers seat is to have someone open the door from the outside. Acura refuses to fix stating vehicles are out of warranty. If vehicle is stuck from opposite side there is no way to egress vehicle you are trapped.”

NHTSA complaint #10255952, filed 2009-01, 130,000 miles

Suspension: “A squeaking noise could be heard while driving 30 MPH or less. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed consumer that both lower ball joints needed to replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10106910, filed 2005-01, 77,421 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 77,421 and 130,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7567%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 99,446 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

19982000200220032004200522009201020202
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1998 Acura RL → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 12 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 12 bulletins →

Other model years of the Acura RL

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2010920,1007—18—Not enough data
2009845,1606—18—Not enough data
20081318,1776—19—Not enough data
20072034,7507—19—Falling
20063246,0008—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200512573,00011—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200411104,0000———Not enough data
2003980,8181———Not enough data
20024376,5002——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200112112,2002———Not enough data
20005977,0004——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19992492,7512———Falling
19981199,4463———Not enough data
199719145,0002———Stable
199622144,0002———Stable

All Acura RL model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Acura RL have?

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1998 Acura RL as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Acura RL is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (18% of the total), followed by seat belts with 2.

Has the 1998 Acura RL been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Acura RL reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 99,446 miles and the middle half falls between 77,421 and 130,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.