KnownCarProblems2005 Acura RL Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 125 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Acura RL, most often about the lights (39% of complaints, typically around 73,000 miles). It is the most complained-about RL model year since 2000 and has 11 recalls.
Most common 2005 Acura RL problems
Lights
49 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
The contact owns a 2005 Acura RL. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights would flicker on and off without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure would recur intermittently. The vehicle was taken a dealer where the failure was unable to be replicated. The manufacturer was not…
2005 Acura RL: head lights flicker when hitting bump in the road. Occurs daily (nightly) now and getting worse. I expect they will eventually go out. Now getting quotes to correct. Hundreds of dollars and probably over $1000 that I don't think I should pay.
Air bags
36 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 136,000 miles.
Srs light came on. Took car to dealership for repair. Was told it was fault code 92-21. Was told a new wiring harness could possibly fix the problem at a cost to me of $3000. Yes, that was three thousand dollars$$ now I have no SRS on my car an Acura feels its not there problem. I understand how warranties work and…
The SRS light came on suddenly on day in january 2014 and after disappeared after two weeks. However, the message in the log showed a 92-22 error message and required me to take the car to dealership. As the light SRS had gone off I took the car in to dealership on april 4th for another recall issue and asked them to…
Electrical
18 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles.
We have a 2005 Acura RL. During driving, the entire power drops. Without electricity to all components, the power steering goes, the engine stops, all lights on the dash board off. After a few seconds to a minute, the power comes back. But the car will be showing all kinds of error messages. The transmission will be…
There is an intermittent safety issue with the active headlights on the Acura RL vehicle. Occasionally, the headlights will shut themselves off during operation at night. Sometimes it's just one and sometimes it's both. This is an issue that has been brought to the dealers attention. They cannot find anything wrong so…
Brakes
8 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: foundation components, power assist.
After informing the Acura service center about 3 months prior to the accident that the brakes were not functioning properly on 2 separate occasions, and being reassured that there was nothing wrong with the brakes, I rear-ended another car on april 5 because the brakes failed again. Acura refused to run a computer…
At low speeds on rough streets, all 4 wheel suspensions make a very metallic noise. I have been lead to beleive that it is due to mis manufactured brake components. One dealer did "bend" the brake "clips" and the noise subsided for about 1000 miles, but the problem is back and the dealers are saying it is a mfgr…
Body and structure
7 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
1st incident on february 25 2009 -door handle shorted out while vehicle was parked in garage. Replaced by dealer. 2nd incident on october 16,2012-door handle shorted out while vehicle was parked in garagefor 24-36 hours. We detected the smell of wires burning in the morning, but could not find the source. Later in the…
I have been driving since 1980 and have had various vehicles from various manufacturers and I have never had a dashboard melt for any reason. I expected my car to have minor problems at 40,000 miles but melting was not one of them. The interior of my car is melting. Especially the glove compartment, the arm rest and…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 4%Glove box material is melting and sagging. Ithe glove box material has also "orange peeled". When googled, this is a widespread and common problem with Acura's between 2005-2007. A defective material was used on the glove box.
Headlights have previously flickered and temporarily turned off, dealer has claimed our vehicle was the only one impacted, low beams have now comlpletely failed creating a safety hazard
Speed control
4 complaints · 3%Dt: the caller was pulling out of a parking spot when she suddenly lost control of the vehicle. It accelerated on its own , and she tried the brake and it did not work. She said the steering wheel did not work, she tried to turn the wheel and nothing happened. The vehicle hit a parked car. The police came and a report…
With the engine still running, there was no acceleration. Cycling ignition off/on brought things back to normal. Reported to the dealer through honda, ca. Dealer said cause was "loose battery cable." the car has run fine since. No one has been able to explain how the engine suffered a single incident, but was driven…
Suspension
3 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: front, rear.
At low speeds on rough streets, all 4 wheel suspensions make a very metallic noise. I have been lead to beleive that it is due to mis manufactured brake components. One dealer did "bend" the brake "clips" and the noise subsided for about 1000 miles, but the problem is back and the dealers are saying it is a mfgr…
Both struts appeared good on smooth road, but are essentially rock solid on potholes or bumps. In 60 years of driving I have never had a failed shock so never considered it and bought this 10 year old car. Scant and incomplete data related to all brands on the internet blames the routine lifting of the car for tire…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Acura RL recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began august 12, 2019. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are e5d and x5c.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 acura mdx, 2005-2012 rl, 2003-2007 honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007-2008 fit, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014 ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began august 12, 2019. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are s5b and w59.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2013 acura ilx, 2015 rdx, 2005-2010 and 2012 rl, 2009-2014 tl, 2010 and 2012 zdx, 2007-2011 cr-v, 2011-2013 and 2015 cr-z, 2009-2013 fit, 2013 fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 insight and 2007-2014 ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan march 2017. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are kd9 and ke0.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 acura mdx and honda cr-v vehicles, 2005-2011 honda element vehicles, 2005-2012 acura rl vehicles, 2006-2012 honda ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 honda fit vehicles and 2005-2008 honda pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, if not included in "zone a" above, honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 acura mdx and honda cr-v vehicles, 2005-2009 acura rl and honda element vehicles, 2007-2008 honda fit vehicles, 2005-2008 honda pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 honda ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, ke
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began june 27, 2016. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are ka0, ka1, ka2, and ka3.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 acura mdx, 2005-2011 acura rl, 2005-2006 honda cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007-2008 fit, 2003-2008 pilot, 2002-2004 odyssey, and 2006-2011 ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 acura mdx, 2005-2008 acura rl, 2005-2006 honda cr-v, 2003-2008 element, 2007-2008 fit, 2003-2008 pilot, 2002-2004 odyssey, and 2006-2008 ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began march 2017. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are jy0, jy1, and jy2.
Full defect summary
Honda (american honda motor co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 honda cr-v, 2011-2015 cr-z, 2010-2014 fcx, and insight, 2009-2013 fit, 2013-2014 fit EV, 2007-2014 ridgeline, 2013-2016 acura ilx, 2013-2014 acura ilx hybrid, 2007-2016 rdx, 2005-2012 acura rl, 2009-2014 acura tl, and 2010-2013 acura zdx vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began january 26, 2015. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
American honda motor co. (honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 honda civic, 2003-2004 civic cng and element, 2002-2005 cr-v, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2005 accord, pilot, civic hybrid, and acura mdx, 2005 acura rl and 2006 honda ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in alabama, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, u.s. Virgin islands, saipan, guam, and american samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerâs frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during august 2014. Owners may contact honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
American honda motor company, inc.'s (honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 accord, civic, cr-v, pilot and acura mdx, model year 2003-2004 odyssey and element, and model year 2005 acura rl, and 2006 honda ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in california, and equipped with takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Traction Control System
Risk: Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Owners will be notified and instructed to take their vehicles to a dealer of their respective brand. The dealer will install a partial wiring harness containing a capacitor for the vsa modulator, free of charge. The affected model year 2005 pilots will have their ground connection tightened. The recall began on april 22, 2013. Honda owners may contact honda automobile customer service at 1-800-999-1009, and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.honda.com; acura owners may contact 1-800-382-2238, and select option 4, or go to www.recalls.acura.com.
Full defect summary
Honda is recalling certain model year 2005 pilot vehicles manufactured july 29, 2004, through august 29, 2005; model year 2005-2006 acura mdx vehicles manufactured september 16, 2004, through september 22, 2005; and model year 2005 acura rl vehicles manufactured march 1, 2004, through june 29, 2005. An electrical capacitor may have been damaged during the manufacturing of the vehicle stability assist (vsa) control module causing intermittent, automatic, minor brake application. However, if the driver applies the brakes while the vsa is malfunctioning, the vehicle may come to an abrupt stop. Additionally, due to a loose ground connection, certain model year 2005 pilots have a vsa system that may apply partial brake force, without the illumination of the brake lights, whether or not the driver is using the brakes.
Brakes: master cylinder
Risk: A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder seal free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during december 2010. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
Honda is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 odyssey and acura rl vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as a lubricant for certain brake system components. If replacement brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers, or that contains only small amounts, a part of the rubber seal located at the rear of the brake master cylinder may become dry, and the seal may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of brake fluid could slowly leak from the seal into the brake booster.
Steering: hose, piping, and connections
Risk: Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose free of charge. The recall began on december 12, 2007. Owners may contact honda at 800-382-2238.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, prolonged high under-hood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely causing the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: If the fuel pump loses power while driving, the engine could stall without warning, and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump relay free of charge. The recall began on april 2, 2007. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Full defect summary
On certain vehicles, a coil wire inside the fuel pump relay may break, causing the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Vehicle stability assist malfunction
Summary
On march 14, 2013, american honda motor co., inc. (honda) submitted a defect information report to NHTSA identifying a defect in the vehicle stability assist (vsa) system in approximately 183,576 model year (my) 2005 honda pilot, acura rl and my 2005-2006 acura mdx vehicles (NHTSA recall no 13v-092).the population and failure counts provided pertain only to the my 2005 honda pilots that were the subject of this investigation.honda's recall addresses two conditions in the vsa system that could result in inappropriate brake activation.the first condition is related to a manufacturing concern with a capacitor in the vsa electronic control unit (ecu) circuit board.according to honda, vsa systems
Questions about the 2005 Acura RL
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Acura RL?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (49 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles); air bags (36 complaints, typically around 136,000 miles); electrical (18 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Acura RL have?
- 11 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 27, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Acura RL?
- It is the most complained-about RL model year since 2000, with 125 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.