2005 Acura RL
The 2005 Acura RL appears in 11 NHTSA recall campaigns (air bags, traction control system and service brakes, hydraulic) and in 118 consumer complaints filed with the agency.
The component named most often is exterior lighting: 340.3 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 40 per 1,000 across all 2005 model-year vehicles and against 128.3 per 1,000 for the Acura RL line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 20.8 complaints per model year across the 18 Acura RL model years on this register; 3 complaints reported a crash and 0 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2016 (31); the most recent in the file is dated 1 Dec 2018.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 3 investigations naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) (manufacturer campaign S5B, W59).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) (manufacturer campaign E5D, X5C).
Defect, as filed: 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, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) (manufacturer campaign KD9, KE0).
Defect, as filed: 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, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) (manufacturer campaign KA0, KA1, KA2, KA3).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) (manufacturer campaign JY0, JY1, JY2).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerÂ’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengerÂ’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) (manufacturer campaign JH6,JH7,JH8,JH9,JJ0).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: Sudden inadvertent braking, especially without illumination of the brake lights, may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) (manufacturer campaign S87, S88, S89); components: traction control system; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module.
- 10V504000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERReported 22 Oct 2010 · 471,820 units
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) (manufacturer campaign R51 HONDA R52 ACURA).
- 07V551000STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONSReported 4 Dec 2007 · 43,200 units
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) (manufacturer campaign Q65).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: If the fuel pump loses power while driving, the engine could stall without warning, and a crash could occur.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) (manufacturer campaign Q37 Q38).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2005 Acura RL (black) against all 2005 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2005 | RL line | All 2005 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 340.3 | 128.3 | 40 |
| Air Bags | 229.2 | 239.1 | 85 |
| Electrical System | 111.1 | 117.4 | 122.7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 48.6 | 54.3 | 33 |
| Structure | 41.7 | 28.3 | 65.3 |
| Suspension | 27.8 | 26.1 | 42 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 49 | 340.3 | 128.3 | 40 |
| Air Bags | 33 | 229.2 | 239.1 | 85 |
| Electrical System | 16 | 111.1 | 117.4 | 122.7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 | 48.6 | 54.3 | 33 |
| Structure | 6 | 41.7 | 28.3 | 65.3 |
| Suspension | 4 | 27.8 | 26.1 | 42 |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 27.8 | 26.1 | 23.7 |
| Equipment | 3 | 20.8 | 13 | 10.3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 20.8 | 30.4 | 53 |
| Power Train | 3 | 20.8 | 87 | 117.3 |
| Steering | 2 | 13.9 | 30.4 | 75.5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 13.9 | 13 | 50.7 |
| Engine | 2 | 13.9 | 17.4 | 42.1 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 13.9 | 26.1 | 10.7 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 2 | 13.9 | 17.4 | 10.5 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 6.9 | 30.4 | 58.1 |
| Visibility | 1 | 6.9 | 39.1 | 22.9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | 6.9 | 8.7 | 27.9 |
| Traction Control System | 1 | 6.9 | 2.2 | 2.1 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | 6.9 | 2.2 | 4.5 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 6.9 | 8.7 | 23 |
118 unique complaints, 144 component mentions; 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA15001 | Engineering analysis | Air Bag Inflator Rupture | air bags:frontal | 24 Feb 2015 | open | 14V668 |
| PE14016 | Preliminary evaluation | Air Bag Inflator Rupture | air bags:frontal | 11 Jun 2014 | 2 Mar 2015 | 13V172000 |
| EA13002 | Engineering analysis | Vehicle Stability Assist Malfunction | electronic stability control | 21 Feb 2013 | 29 Mar 2013 | 13V092000 |
Other Acura RL model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 | 22 | 221,393 |
| 1997 | 2 | 19 | 221,393 |
| 1998 | 3 | 9 | 1,661,234 |
| 1999 | 2 | 21 | 1,536,359 |
| 2000 | 4 | 53 | 2,342,386 |
| 2001 | 2 | 11 | 901,731 |
| 2002 | 2 | 27 | 901,731 |
| 2003 NHTSA | 1 | 4 | 875,966 |
| 2004 NHTSA | 0 | 11 | — |
| 2005 | 11 | 118 | 6,989,639 |
| 2006 | 8 | 28 | 7,696,295 |
| 2007 | 7 | 16 | 6,506,295 |
| 2008 | 6 | 13 | 6,034,475 |
| 2009 | 6 | 8 | 6,016,220 |
| 2010 | 7 | 9 | 6,073,315 |
| 2011 | 6 | 2 | 6,071,757 |
| 2012 | 6 | 1 | 4,282,421 |
| 2015 NHTSA | 0 | 2 | — |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Acura RL model years · Acura: 20 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2005 Acura RL have?
11 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 19V500000, was reported to NHTSA on 27 Jun 2019 and concerns air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Across all model years the Acura RL line has 20 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2005 Acura RL?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 3 actions naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2005 Acura RL complain about most?
Exterior Lighting: 49 of 144 component mentions (340.3 per 1,000). Next is air bags with 33. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.