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1998 Acura RLProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 11 owner complaints about the 1998 Acura RL, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-026 the manufacturer reports only 4% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 4%Owner complaints110 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage99kVisibility, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 20, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Acura RL has problems

11 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Visibility20
Structure20
Suspension20
Air bags20
Power train20
Seat belts20
Electrical system10
Latches/locks/linkages10
Service brakes, hydraulic10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1998 Acura RL recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

4%repaired · 2022 Q3

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 20V-026 · Jan 17, 2020 · 1,439,841 vehicles · 63,210 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Control arm: lower ball joint

Recall 99V-069 · May 10, 1999 · 124,875 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Acura.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other RL year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RL median. How we score

'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'15
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What RL owners report

Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

APPROXIMATELY 60 DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO REAR SEAT BELTS. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN WITH NO KEY OR PERSON REQUIRED. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. SENSORS</A>, WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD…
Complaint 10101140 · Nov 5, 2004 · 99,446 miles

Own a 1998 RL?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.