CarBrief

NHTSA has 125 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Acura RL, and the largest group is about exterior lighting[1][2]. The model year also has 11 recalls[3], and seven of them involve air bag inflators[4][5][6][7][8][9][10].

125owner complaints[1]
11recalls[3]
19MPG combined (EPA)[11]

Reported problems

NHTSA lists 125 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Four mention a crash, one a fire and two an injury. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Component group Complaints
Exterior lighting[2] 49
Air bags[12] 36
Electrical system[13] 18
Brakes[14] 8
Structure[15] 7
Unknown or other[16] 5
Speed control[17] 4
Suspension[18] 3

Exterior lighting. The median mileage at failure for these complaints is 74,000 miles[2]. In a sample of 12 lighting complaints we read[2], 7 describe headlights that flicker or go out and come back after the lights are switched off and on. Five describe headlights that owners feel do not reach far enough down the road[2]. Some owners mention repair quotes in the hundreds of dollars[2].

Air bags. The median mileage is 136,000 miles[12]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read[12], 4 are about recall repair parts not being available when the owner wrote in. Another 4 are about an air bag warning light or a passenger air bag off message, some with repair quotes[12].

Electrical system. The median mileage is 67,000 miles, and one complaint mentions a fire[13]. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints we read[13], 7 are about headlights. Two describe sudden loss of power and 2 describe keyless entry or lock trouble[13].

Brakes. In a sample of 8 brake complaints[14], 4 describe rattling or banging from brake parts over rough pavement. Two involve brakes applying on their own or recall parts not being available[14].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 11 recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:

Several recalls cover many models and only certain states or build dates, so confirm whether your car is included[6][19]. In the air bag complaints we read, some owners said repair parts were not available at the time they wrote[12].

Fuel economy

EPA lists the RL with a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine, Automatic (S5), premium fuel and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive at 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG[11]. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $4,350[11]. That cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists a 5-star rollover rating, with a rollover risk of 9.7%[23].

Engine and size

The listed engine is a 3.5L 6-cylinder[11]. Sizes below are Canadian-market specifications for the RL 4DR SEDAN AWD and can differ slightly from US models[24].

Measure Value
Length[24] 194 in
Width[24] 73 in
Height[24] 57 in
Wheelbase[24] 110 in
Curb weight[24] 4,001 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

1996: 22 complaints, 2 recalls19961997: 19 complaints, 2 recalls1998: 11 complaints, 3 recalls19981999: 24 complaints, 2 recalls2000: 59 complaints, 4 recalls20002001: 12 complaints, 2 recalls2002: 43 complaints, 2 recalls20022003: 9 complaints, 1 recalls2004: 11 complaints, 0 recalls20042005: 125 complaints, 11 recalls12520052006: 32 complaints, 8 recalls20062007: 20 complaints, 7 recalls2008: 13 complaints, 6 recalls20082009: 8 complaints, 6 recalls2010: 9 complaints, 7 recalls20102011: 3 complaints, 6 recalls2012: 1 complaints, 6 recalls2012
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each RL model year. The 2005 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1996222
1997192
1998113
1999242
2000594
2001122
2002432
200391
2004110
200512511
2006328
2007207
2008136
200986
201097
201136
201216

Among the RL model years on file, 2005 has the highest numbers on both counts: 125 complaints and 11 recalls[3]. The next highest complaint count is 59 for 2000[3]. For recalls, the next highest is 2006 with 8[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales. Several recalls name many Honda and Acura models[4][5].

Should you buy a used 2005 Acura RL?

This model year has more complaints and recalls than any other RL year listed[3]. Headlight complaints are the biggest group, and owners in the samples we read mention repair quotes[2]. Before buying, check the VIN for open recalls, especially the air bag ones, and ask whether each was completed[4][9]. Some owners wrote that repair parts were not available at the time[12], and the EPA rating is 19 combined MPG on premium fuel[11]. These are unverified reports, so use them as a checklist for inspection and not as a verdict on every car.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2005 Acura RL?
Exterior lighting has the most complaints at 49, followed by air bags at 36 and the electrical system at 18[2][12][13].
Does the 2005 Acura RL have recalls?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls, including several for air bag inflators[3][4][9].
What is the gas mileage of a 2005 Acura RL?
EPA lists 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG for the 3.5L automatic AWD version[11].
Is the 2005 the worst year for the Acura RL?
Among the years on file it has the highest counts, with 125 complaints and 11 recalls[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
How big is the 2005 Acura RL?
Canadian-market specifications list it at 194 in long, 73 in wide and 4,001 lb[24].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 125 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Acura RL (4 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 49 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura RL model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V500, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 19V501, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 17V029, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 16V344, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  8. Recall 16V061, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  9. Recall 14V700, filed November 4, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  10. Recall 14V353, filed June 20, 2014: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  11. EPA rating for RL, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  12. 36 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 136,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 18 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 8 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 7 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 5 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 4 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  18. 3 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  19. Recall 13V092, filed March 14, 2013: Traction Control System. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 10V504, filed October 22, 2010: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 07V551, filed December 4, 2007: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 07V097, filed March 14, 2007: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, RL 4DR SEDAN AWD: length 194 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,001 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.