AI Damage2000 Acura RL: common problems
Owners of the 2000 Acura RL filed 59 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 59
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 44% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 5 Seat belts 8% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
- Air bags: 26 complaints (44% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (15% of all).
- Powertrain: 7 complaints (12% of all).
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (10% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seat belts: 5 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 59 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 26 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 acura rl. The contact stated that while attempting to turn right at 20 mph, she attempted to engage the brakes and the pedal depressed to the floor. As a result, she was involved in a rear end crash with another vehicle.
When the vehicle crashed the air bags did not deploy. Throttle body was bent. Faulty window regulator caused the window to not close.
While driving consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Consumer was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and hit a curb. Drove vehicle to dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not be duplicate the problem.
While leaving a stop sign at 10 mph consumers vehicle was t-boned on the drivers side by a truck. Consumer suffered minor injuries, but was not hospitalized. Onsumer was wearing seat belts, side airbags did not deploy.
While sitting at a stop light vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing a three car collision. Consumer had foot on the brakes, and vehicle revved up to 60-70 mph. Vehicle was towed to the dealer, who told consumer that some kind of pin got stuck, causing the vehicle to accelerate to 1000 rpms.
The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light, and the vehicle stability assist (VSA) system warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure.
Tamara recall my srs light stays on continually. I am concerned there is a problem with the airbags. I need to know if it is safe to have someone in the passenger seat or if the airbag is defective and is a recall. I do not drive this car very often but now I have to because I have no other transportation.
The steering wheel column will not adjust. It is stuck in the highest position. The plastic gear is broken and the local acura dealer wants over $2000 to replace the whole thing.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,893 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the RL has 21 complaints (20 years in the data). This year has 59, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Acura RL?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 59. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (24%), warning lights, check engine (14%), seat belts (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2000 Acura RL?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2000 Acura RL from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2000 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.