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Acura RLModel year report

2009 Acura RL Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
45,160miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 3.7L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 16 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Acura RL (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2009 Acura RL. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and fuel system (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 45,160 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 63 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 6 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 37 technical service bulletins 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 have a 2009 Acura RL. While stopped at a light, the light turned green. After about 20 feet I needed to brake. The car accelerated instead of braking. We hit the car in front of us. Only the driver air bag deployed. The front end of the car was damaged. Non of the doors would open either from the inside or the outside. The trunk would not open either. I feel that because of the sudden acceleration, only one airbag deploying, and the doors refusing to open, that there is an electrical problem or something going on.”

NHTSA complaint #10317137, filed 2010-03, 17,000 miles

Brakes: “On three occasions the gas pedal and brake pedal deployed at the same time on my 2009 Acura RL. The third time this resulted in an impact on a parked vehicle. The brake pedal and accelerator pedal are two inches apart and when I step on the brake pedal it stops on a level equal to the accelerator pedal therefore it causes a circumstance that deploys both pedals simultaneously.(I actually find myself and my wife hitting the brake and the gas at the same time because the pedals are too close together). I reported the problem to Acura in torrance ca. And to the dealership in sanford fl. …”

NHTSA complaint #10311351, filed 2010-02, 15,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Was driving at highway speed; suddenly noticed very slow car ahead; upon braking, car accelerated instead; to avoid head on collision to left, or rear end collision ahead, took to shoulder to attempt to slow car down; eventually got car under control again; have reached no definite conclusions yet as to cause, but have contacted dealer for help, as still within warranty”

NHTSA complaint #10444420, filed 2012-01

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,000 and 93,000 miles.

17%0–1033%10–250%25–5017%50–7517%75–10017%100–1500%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: 45,160 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20092010220122014201620172019
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 2009 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

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2009 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.

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 2009 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/AWD3.7L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162218$4,550

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

Recall details for the 2009 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. 63 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 63 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 2009 Acura RL have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2009 Acura RL as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Acura RL is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 2009 Acura RL been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Acura RL get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Acura RL (RL, 3.7L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Acura RL reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 45,160 miles and the middle half falls between 15,000 and 93,000 miles; 50% 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. 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.