Acura
RL
Midsize Cars · model years 2005 to 2012
The verdict
Best year: 2012. complaints: 1, below this model's typical 11; recalls: 6, below this model's typical 7.
Worst year: 2005. complaints: 125, about 11.4x this model's typical 11; recalls: 11, about 1.6x this model's typical 7.
Year by year
| Year | Trims | MPG | HP | Fuel cost | Recalls | Complaints | TSBs | Top complaints | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1Gas | 19 | no data | $4,050 | 11 | 125 | no data | EXTERIOR LIGHTING 33%, AIR BAGS 24%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12% | |
Score: 12 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2006 | 1Gas | 19 | no data | $4,050 | 8 | 32 | no data | AIR BAGS 24%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 13% | |
Score: 20 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2007 | 1Gas | 19 | no data | $4,050 | 7 | 20 | no data | AIR BAGS 29%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8% | |
Score: 39 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2008 | 1Gas | 19 | no data | $4,050 | 6 | 13 | no data | AIR BAGS 57%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY 7% | |
Score: 66 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2009 | 1Gas | 18 | no data | $4,300 | 6 | 8 | no data | AIR BAGS 21%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 14% | |
Score: 69 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2010 | 1Gas | 18 | no data | $4,300 | 7 | 9 | 50 | AIR BAGS 70%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10%, STRUCTURE 10% | |
Score: 73 of 100, where higher is better. | |||||||||
| 2011 | 1Gas | 20 | 300 | $3,850 | 6 | 3 | 64 | AIR BAGS 33%, ENGINE 33%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 33% | |
Score: 82 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014). | |||||||||
| 2012 | 1Gas | 20 | no data | $3,850 | 6 | 1 | 63 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING 100% | |
Score: 85 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014). | |||||||||
How the numbers moved
How we score each year
We compare each year of the Acura RL to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.
A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.
Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.
Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.