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Acura RLModel year report

2006 Acura RL Problems

Complaints
32filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
46,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
Recalls
8campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 16 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Acura RL (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2006 Acura RL. The part named most often is air bags, with 9 complaints (28% of the total), followed by electrical system (8) and exterior lighting (5). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 53% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 46,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 79 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 5 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 44 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall. After receiving the recall notice from american honda motor, Acura automobile division, I called the dealer, weir canyon Acura in orange county, ca, in early july to schedule the service. However, until now, the recall service has not been performed due to unavailability of parts. It's been more than 60 days since my appointment with the dealer. Therefore, I filed this complaint.”

NHTSA complaint #10911174, filed 2016-10

Electrical system: “Front passenger door lock actuator was replaced less than two years ago. The exact same problem with the same door lock has reoccurred. The locked door will not open when the door handle is touched nor will the driver side door lock control lock or unlock the front passenger door. While driving the actuator is constantly trying to lock the doors but it doesn't work. I have seen other similar problems with this vehicle during my on-line research. I contacted the Acura dealer that repaired and replaced the original actuator but was told that the part warranty is 1 year.”

NHTSA complaint #11209096, filed 2019-05, 170,000 miles

Exterior lighting: “While driving at night, on numerous occasions the right headlight would flicker intermittently and then go out completely. You have to turn headlight switch off and then back on for the headlight to come back on. I have concerns for me and my family's safety. Please investigate for a possible recall order on this make and model, thank you.”

NHTSA complaint #10544888, filed 2013-09, 81,600 miles

Tires: “Honda/michelin pax tires (no flat) are design for only about 20-30k miles. This information was not disclosed at the time of the purchase of my vehicle. They have deceived the consumer that this is a quality product. In addition, these tires are flawed and expensive to replace and your car can't be de-pax. If they are not replaced every two years it can cause serious performance problems which can lead to unnecessary crashes. As a concerned consumer about this product and many others we would like a recall on this product asap! …”

NHTSA complaint #10278068, filed 2009-07, 44,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

53% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,500 and 100,000 miles.

26%0–105%10–2521%25–5016%50–755%75–10016%100–15011%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 46,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’06’09’11’13’167’19’23
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 2006 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 AWDnot rated5 / 5——5 · 9.7% risk

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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Acura RL version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
RL 4WD/AWD3.5L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162419$4,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 8 recalls for the 2006 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. 79 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 79 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 2006 Acura RL have?

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2006 Acura RL as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Acura RL is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 9 complaints (28% of the total), followed by electrical system with 8.

Has the 2006 Acura RL been recalled?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Acura RL get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Acura RL (RL, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Acura RL reported?

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 46,000 miles and the middle half falls between 5,500 and 100,000 miles; 53% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.