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Acura RLModel year report

2001 Acura RL Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
112,200miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Acura RL (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2001 Acura RL. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (42% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (5) and brakes (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 112,200 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 26 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: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10722868, filed 2015-06, 175,580 miles

Brakes: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10355493, filed 2010-09, 110,000 miles

Steering: “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”

NHTSA complaint #10466785, filed 2012-07, 140,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 110,000 and 140,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7517%75–10067%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 112,200 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

200132003200820092010201220152020
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Acura RL. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
RL · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2001 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. 26 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 26 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 2001 Acura RL have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2001 Acura RL as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Acura RL is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (42% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 5.

Has the 2001 Acura RL been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 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 2001 Acura RL reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 112,200 miles and the middle half falls between 110,000 and 140,000 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 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.

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.