1998 Acura Rl recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
What could happen: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer ser…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 RL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Acura dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 20V026000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-234-2138.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 1998 Acura 2.2CL, 1998-1999 Acura 2.3CL, 1998-1999 Acura 3.0CL, 2001 Acura 3.2CL and Acura MDX, 1998-2000 Honda Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Sedan, Odyssey and Acura 3.5RL, 1999-2000 Acura 3.2TL, 1996-2000 Civic Coupe, 1997-2000 CR-V, 1997-1998 EV Plus, and 1998-1999 Isuzu Oasis vehicles.
These vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 or Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
What could happen: THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK POSITION WOULD NOT LOCK THE WHEELS, AND A PARKED VEHICLE COULD MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 RL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Acura dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 99V227000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Consequence: THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK POSITION WOULD NOT LOCK THE WHEELS, AND A PARKED VEHICLE COULD MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT SET.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED BOLT.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
3. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 RL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Acura dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 99V069000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 17, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA 1-800-382-2238. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (2), Suspension (2), Body / structure (2), Seat belts (2), Visibility (wipers / glass) (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/20/2020 · Airbags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…
06/09/2020 · Airbags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V026000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE N…
07/06/2010 · Suspension
MAY 15, 2010...I HAD MY LEFT CV AXLE AND TIRE ALIGNMENT ON THE LEFT SIDE SERVICED. JULY 2, 2010 I WAS DRIVING AND MADE A LEFT TURN. ABOUT A HALF A MILE DOWN THE ROAD MY CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE COMPLETELY COLLAPSED. I THOUGHT IT WAS A TIRE BLOW OUT, BUT IT WASN'T. VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND INSPECTED. DIAGNOSED: LEFT LOWER BALL JOINT CAUSED THE INCIDENT ACCORDING TO…
01/22/2009 · Body / structure
1998 ACURA AND OTHER HONDA VEHICLES INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ON DRIVERS SIDE FAILS NOT ALLOWING DRIVERS TO EGRESS THE VEHICLE. YOU CANT OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE. THE ONLY WAY OUT OF THE VEHICLE IF SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT IS TO HAVE SOMEONE OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. ACURA REFUSES TO FIX STATING VEHICLES ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. IF VEHICLE IS STUCK FROM O…
10/25/2005 · Seat belts
DT: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY TWO OF THE SEAT BELTS LOCKED AND THEY HELD THE PASSENGERS IN THE SEAT. THESE WERE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND DRIVER SIDE REAR. THE SEAT BELTS HAD TO BE UNBUCKLED AND THEN PUT BACK ON TO RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
01/06/2005 · Suspension
A SQUEAKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR LESS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO REPLACED.*AK
11/05/2004 · Electrical system
APPROXIMATELY 60 DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO REAR SEAT BELTS. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN WITH NO KEY OR PERSON REQUIRED. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. SENSORS</A>, WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD AND WIPERS HAVE NOT FUNCTIONED PROPERLY SINCE THE PURCHA…
07/22/2003 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WINDSHIELD HAS A GLARE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK