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Acura RL VIN Check

NHTSA holds 351 owner complaints on the Acura RL from 168 production runs; the worst run has 15, the typical one 2.1.

NHTSA complaint records · 351 complaints · 168 runs · 1996–2012 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported RL run is JH4KB16535C (2005 builds) with 15 complaints, 7.1× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 40% of reports; 2005 is the worst model year at 5.9 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for RL model years 1996–2012.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Acura RL has 168 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 16% of every RL complaint on file.

FIG.01·Acura RL — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
JH4KB16535C••••••200515——
JH4KB16525C••••••200511——
JH4KB16595C••••••200510——
JH4KB16545C••••••20051011
JH4KB16515C••••••200591—
JH4KB16555C••••••200591—
JH4KB16575C••••••20059——
JH4KB165X5C••••••20059——
JH4KB16505C••••••20058——
JH4KB16506C••••••200661—
JH4KB165X6C••••••2006611
JH4KB16585C••••••20055——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 156 RL runs has 5 complaints or fewer.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Acura RL the gap between build years is 5.9×: a 2005 car draws 5.9 complaints per run, a 1998 one 1.

FIG.02·Acura RL — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
2011133—
20101.5961
20091.1871
20081.313101
20071.919101
20062.527112
20055.9106184
20041.4751
20031.386—
20021.63522—
20011.2119—
20002.144212
199922211—
1998188—
19971.314111
19961.316121
ROWS 16·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2005 at 5.9 complaints per run; lightest is 1998 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 40% of everything Acura RL owners report: Air Bags, 130 of 351 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Acura RL — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Air Bags1306—
Exterior Lighting491—
Electrical System4815
Power Train31——
Service Brakes242—
Hydraulic162—
Visibility151—
Unknown Or Other14—1
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 21 recall campaigns on the Acura RL; the 6 below cover build years 2005 to 2012. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Acura RL — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
16V061000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module2005–2012
17V029000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2005–2012
19V501000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2005–2012
19V500000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module2005–2012
16V344000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2005–2011
18V041000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module2009–2012
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

16V061000 was opened in 2016 on cars built from 2005: 11 years on the road before the recall.

The RL against its rivals

The RL draws 2.1 complaints per production run; the Cadillac STS 2.7 and the Infiniti G25 1.3.

FIG.05·Acura RL VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Acura RL3511682.14.3%
Cadillac STS3421292.711.1%
Infiniti G2528211.310.7%
ROWS 3·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 351 reports on the Acura RL, 4.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Acura RL — complaint severity
OutcomeAcura RLAll vehicles
Complaints filed3511,115,966
Involved a crash15 (4.3%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire8 (2.3%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported1058,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Acura RL share of that is 351 complaints over 168 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.

Everything on the Acura RL
Recalls77 campaignsFuel economy20 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems483 complaintsCargo space15 cu ftUsed prices165 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car1987–2012

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Acura RL VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 351 NHTSA complaints from 168 RL runs and 21 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which RL production run has the most complaints?

JH4KB16535C, a 2005 build, with 15 complaints. The typical RL run has 2.1.

Which RL years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2005 is heaviest at 5.9 complaints per run and 1998 lightest at 1.

Does the RL get more complaints than the Cadillac STS?

No: 2.1 complaints per production run for the RL against 2.7 for the Cadillac STS.

How many RL complaints involve a crash?

4.3% of 351 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 8 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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