CarBrief

NHTSA has 32 owner complaints for the 2006 Acura RL[1], and the model year carries 8 recalls[2]. Most of the recall weight is on air bag inflators, so check recall status before you buy or keep one[3][4][5][6][7].

32owner complaints[1]
8recalls[2]
19MPG combined (EPA)[8]

Reported problems

NHTSA lists 32 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Three mention a crash, 1 a fire and 2 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports.

Smaller groups are brakes (3 complaints)[13], engine (2)[14], speed control (1)[15] and wheels (1)[16]. With counts this low, we would not call any of them a pattern.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Check any specific car by VIN on the NHTSA recall site, because the air bag recalls list different model years and some are tied to where the car was sold or registered[5][6].

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the RL with the 3.5L 6-cylinder, Automatic (S5), 4-wheel or all-wheel drive[8], at 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG[8]. It uses premium fuel[8]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $4,350, based on the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[8].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door AWD RL 5 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 9.7%[20]. We have no other NHTSA star ratings for this model year.

Size

These are Canadian-market specifications for the RL 4-door sedan AWD, so a US car can differ slightly[21].

Measure Value
Length[21] 194 in
Width[21] 73 in
Height[21] 57 in
Wheelbase[21] 110 in
Curb weight[21] 4,001 lb

How 2006 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 recalls2006: 32 complaints, 8 recalls3220062007: 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 2006 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1996222
1997192
1998113
1999242
2000594
2001122
2002432
200391
2004110
200512511
2006328
2007207
2008136
200986
201097
201136
201216

The 2006 RL has 32 complaints and 8 recalls[2]. The 2005 model year is higher on both, with 125 complaints and 11 recalls[2]. The 2000 (59) and 2002 (43) model years also have more complaints, so 2006 ranks fourth on complaints[2]. On recalls, 2006 is second after 2005. 2007 and 2010 each have 7[2]. Later years have fewer complaints, from 20 in 2007 down to 1 in 2012[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2006 RL?

The complaint count is moderate next to the 2005 model year[2]. The recall list is the bigger issue, with five air bag inflator recalls[3][4][5][6][7]. Before buying, confirm by VIN that every recall repair has been done. Ask about battery and starting history, since owners describe those problems in the electrical sample we read[10]. The EPA estimates $4,350 a year in fuel on premium[8], and the rollover rating is 5 stars[20]. We have no data here on repair costs or reliability beyond complaints and recalls.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Acura RL?
Air bags lead the complaint list with 9 of 32, then electrical system with 8 and exterior lighting with 5[1][9][10][11]. In the samples we read, owners describe recall repair delays, battery and starting trouble, and headlight problems[9][10][11].
Does the 2006 Acura RL have recalls?
Yes, 8 recalls, including five for air bag inflators[2][3][4][5][6][7]. Others cover the brake master cylinder seal[17], the power steering hose[18] and a manual correction[19].
What MPG does the 2006 Acura RL get?
The EPA rates it at 16 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG on premium fuel[8].
Is the 2006 Acura RL a safe car?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars for rollover, with a 9.7% rollover risk[20]. Air bag inflator recalls apply, so check the repairs were done[3][4][5][6][7].
Which Acura RL year has the fewest problems?
By complaints on file, 2012 has 1 and 2011 has 3, against 32 for 2006[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Acura RL (3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura RL model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 19V500, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V501, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 17V029, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 16V344, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 16V061, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  8. 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
  9. 9 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the tires component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 3 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 2 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 1 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 1 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. Recall 10V504, filed October 22, 2010: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 07V551, filed December 4, 2007: Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, And Connections. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 06V270, filed July 26, 2006: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. 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.