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2009 Acura RLProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 2009 Acura RL, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-501 the manufacturer reports only 42% of affected cars repaired.

2009 Acura RL
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls6Lowest repair rate 42%Owner complaints83 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage55kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 27, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 Acura RL has problems

8 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
Air bags31
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Vehicle speed control21
Fuel system, other11
Latches/locks/linkages11
Power train11
Structure10
Wheels10
Electrical system11
1 other systems10

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

6 recalls

2009 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.

67%repaired · 2020 Q4

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 19V-500 · Jun 27, 2019 · 1,558 vehicles · 1,048 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

42%repaired · 2020 Q4

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 19V-501 · Jun 27, 2019 · 1,657,752 vehicles · 703,124 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

79%repaired · 2019 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 18V-041 · Jan 9, 2018 · 24,945 vehicles · 19,585 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

68%repaired · 2018 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 17V-029 · Jan 10, 2017 · 308,884 vehicles · 209,114 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
58%repaired · 2017 Q3

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 16V-344 · May 23, 2016 · 1,790,894 vehicles · 1,032,577 repaired

Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

82%repaired · 2018 Q2

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 16V-061 · Feb 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 vehicles · 1,828,033 repaired

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…

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

2009 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
NHTSA crash tests

2009 Acura RL safety ratings

2009 Acura RL 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2009 Acura RL frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2009 Acura RL side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 5 stars (9.7% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Optional
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What RL owners report

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

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE…
Complaint 10904280 · Sep 7, 2016
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…
Complaint 10317137 · Mar 5, 2010 · 17,000 miles

Own a 2009 RL?

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