Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2001 Acura RL: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker RL years.
25 owner complaints, most about power train. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2001 RL?The 2001 Acura RL has 25 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and air bags.
Safety record for the 2001 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2001 Acura RL vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other RL years only. How we score it
Is 2001 a good year for the RL?
Across the 17 RL model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2012) to 125 (2005). With 25 complaints, the 2001 RL sits above the model's median of 20.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2001 RL
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 20V027000Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Campaign 02V119000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS, OIL WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO PREVENT RUST. THIS OIL CAN LEAK INTO THE BRAKE STOP SWITCH AND CONTAMINATE THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS.
What owners say across generations
Owners regard the RL as a comfortable, quiet, well-built luxury sedan with a strong V6 and a notably refined cabin, and several long-term owners report trouble-free runs past 200,000 miles.
Owner insights cover all generations of the RL. See the full RL owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used RL listings typically run $5,890–$9,995 across 1997 to 2012 model years.
Other RL model years
Compare every RL year side by side to see how 2001 ranks against the rest.
Compare the RL against its rivals
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