1996 Acura RL
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1996 Acura RL. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1996 Acura RL. Newest first.
Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
Remedy
Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. the recall began on july 1, 2006. owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. a transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
22 complaints2 involved a crash2 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Unknown or other
Anti-theft system ; locking system malfunctioning. Frequent alarms.
- Air bags
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 1996 acura RL. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v061000 (air bags); however, the part for the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Electrical system
TL* contact owns a 1996 acura RL. While driving 40 mph, a strong burning odor was noticed coming from the front of the vehicle. The instrument panel lights dimmed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.
- Engine and engine cooling
When driving normally, the engine will completely die, as if the ignition had been turned off. the cose set in obd II indicated misfire on all cylinders. it starts again immediately, but does not always continue to run. this will happen numerous times per day, several days in a row, then not…
When driving normally, the engine will completely die, as if the ignition had been turned off. the cose set in obd II indicated misfire on all cylinders. it starts again immediately, but does not always continue to run. this will happen numerous times per day, several days in a row, then not happen again for several days. the electrical system tests completely ok. fuel pressure tests are ok too. car IS at goss' garage in seabrook, md, phone 301-577-9200. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling
When driving normally, the engine will completely die, as if the ignition had been turned off. the code set indicates misfire on all cylinders. starts again immediately, but does not always continue to run. this will happen numerous times then not again for days. electrical system tests ok, fuel pressure test ok, too. *tr
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Speedometer defective. *Tr
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 acura 3.5RL. on october 22, 2007, the contact entered the vehicle and smelled smoke. she then heard a popping sound and noticed smoke coming from the dashboard. the odometer and speedometer lights were not illuminated. she was able to drive the vehicle to a mechanic…
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 acura 3.5RL. on october 22, 2007, the contact entered the vehicle and smelled smoke. she then heard a popping sound and noticed smoke coming from the dashboard. the odometer and speedometer lights were not illuminated. she was able to drive the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that the circuit board burned out and needed to be replaced. the purchase date and powertrain were unknown. the current and failure mileages were 125,500.
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
When I first start vehicle I hear a noise in the engine compartment near the firewall. The noise sounded for a 20 to 30 seconds, the ABS light came on and the ABS systems went out. When the noise was short the ABS system went out after a mile or two drive. During the mile or two drive. I heard the same noise off and on until the ABS system eventually went out. This first occurred on september 24, 2006. *ak
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
The window regulators on my 1996 acura 3.5 RL are broken on the left and right rear windows. before the regulators broke, the window would come up slowly and stop almost to the top. after a little while, I had to pull the window up the rest of the way. *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
While pulling out of a parking space brakes failed, causing the consumer to strike a post. dealer stated that this was a common problem with the brakes on this vehicle. manufacturer did not agree.*ak
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Nar 1/15/2003. The left rear and right rear window regulator failed. The consumer stated he had used the window no more than 60 to 75 times since owning the vehicle and a window regulator should not fail in such a short period of time. The dealer did replace the right rear window regulator under…
Nar 1/15/2003. The left rear and right rear window regulator failed. The consumer stated he had used the window no more than 60 to 75 times since owning the vehicle and a window regulator should not fail in such a short period of time. The dealer did replace the right rear window regulator under warranty, which had since expired. The dealer was not willing to take any responsibility, even though they admitted the regulators were prone to failure. *jb
- Service brakes, air › Antilock › Control unit/module
2 weeks after purchasing this previously-owned RL, I heard a squealing noise that I thought was coming from the a/c and reported it to my dealer who couldn't find any problem. the next time I heard this noise my windows were down and the noise was so loud, it echoed off surrounding buildings. I…
2 weeks after purchasing this previously-owned RL, I heard a squealing noise that I thought was coming from the a/c and reported it to my dealer who couldn't find any problem. the next time I heard this noise my windows were down and the noise was so loud, it echoed off surrounding buildings. I hit my brakes to pull over and investigate and the noise stopped. reported to dealer but they couldn't find any problem. this noise still pops up from time to time, but goes away when brakes are applied. noise IS a squealing/hissing sound that eminates from the ABS area under my hood next to the firewall on the passenger side, ABS lights haven't illuminated during the evet at any time, yet.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
When I first start my car, I hear a noise in the engine compartment at the fire wall. When the noise sounds for a 20 to 30 second period, the ABS light comes on and the ABS systems goes out. When the noise IS short (5 second bursts of sound), the ABS system goes out after a mile or two drive.…
When I first start my car, I hear a noise in the engine compartment at the fire wall. When the noise sounds for a 20 to 30 second period, the ABS light comes on and the ABS systems goes out. When the noise IS short (5 second bursts of sound), the ABS system goes out after a mile or two drive. During the mile or two drive, I hear the same noise off and on until the ABS system eventually goes out. This first occurred on december 24, 2002. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling · Power train › Automatic transmission · Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
After recall#99v227000 was performed, the vehicle remained experiencing transmission problems. ph there was a loud noise when driving, vehicle wouldn't move, extension shaft and secondary drive gear was worn. a transmission was added, and the broken door handle was replaced. scc
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Window regulator failure 5/2000 and 11/2002. feel this IS manufacturers defect. dt
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Consumer stated that as vehicle started he heard noise under the hood, where system-supplementing antilock brakes. the noise comes on every time the car IS started, 10 days later anti lock brake light came on and stayed on continuously. *yd
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Failed left front, left back, right back window regulators with in 3 months I strongly believe this IS a manufacturing defect , but acura IS not admitting
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Power windows on front driver and passenger sides work erratically. dealer has not been contacted.
- Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle was invoved in a frontal collision of 40 mph in which both air bags failed to depoy. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time.
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
The consumer has a recall letter for the transmission/ransfer case. Upon contacting the drealer consumer was told that there were no replacement parts, and could not be advised on when there would be. Mfr recall #K68. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine blew up as consumer was driving vehicle. will send in more information. *ak
- Power train
Speedometer defective.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10211608Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
- 10193392Sending vehicle data to tech line.
- 10165333This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for the outer diameter of the ball joint housing being too small. The outer diameter being too small would prevent the part from being installed, and would therefore have no impact on the end user besides time to complete installation.
- 10100462Service bulletin - navigation system information.
- 10099960"Service bulletin - this bulletin updates the troubleshooting procedures for dtc p1456 (evap control system leakage [fuel tank system]) and dtc p1457 (evap control system leakage[evap canister system]). Depending on the model, there are two individual procedures in this bulletin."
- 10037486Acura: there are guidelines for various situations and procedures including: tire pressure valve stem installation, trailer stability malfunction light IS on, engine oil application guide, new software, new transmission fluid, notchy steering feeling.
- 10018038Speedometer shops can transfer odometer mileage. Acura. Servicenews.
- 10016260Cranks won't start, immobilizer light flashes.
- 10014071Odometer accuracy.
- 10014067The homelink system may have test information stored in memory that must be erased before it can be programmed.
- 10013727Navigation system won't map match or gets lost. Acura tech line summary.
- 10009294Buffeting noise with rear window(s) open. Acura. Servicenews.
- 10009256Intermittent sra diagnostic trouble code 1-1 to 1-5, driver's airbag inflator circuit. October tech line information.
- 10009255Keyless remote transmitter inoperative, . Check keyless, ceiling light, ignition key reminder beeper before troubleshooting keyless remote system. October tech line information.
- 10009254A/c compressor control logic. October tech line information.
- 10009253Clearing antilock braking system diagnostic trouble codes. October tech line information.
- 10009043Navi hdds replaced with flash memory cards. Acura. Servicenews. April 2004.
- 10009042Don't test-drive with the malfunction indicator lamp or d indicator on. Acura. Servicenews. April 2004.
- 10009036Srs indicator on after body shop repair. Check for srs diagnostic trouble codes. Acura servicenews. April 2004.
- 10009002Audio unit and navi anti-theft codes available on in. Acura servicenews. May 2004.
- 10005950Poor air conditioner cooling on hard acceleration. Acura servicenews.
- 10005865Ceiling light, ignition key beeper foil keyless entry.
- 10005860Air conditioning (a/c) compressor control logic. Acura service news.
- 10005068Tire noise and/or wind noise can masquerade as a problem with automatic transmission gears. Acura servicenews.
- 10004959Testing brake fluid for petroleum contamination. Various models including 2003 and 2004 NSX and 2004 rsx.
- 10002692Information on finding a vehicle's emission type or group.
- 10002583Straining the automatic transmission fluid to diagnose automatic transmissions.
- 636758Subject regarding front suspension squeaks in cold weather.
- 633353Information regarding the immobilizer system, type 1.
- 629322Information on troubleshooting diagnostic trouble codes p1705, p1768, p0753, p0758.
- 629320Subject regarding a squeal noise at front suspension at low temperature.
- 629312Information on resetting the outside air temp display.
- 626607Subject regarding safety restraint system diagnostic trouble code 5-1 through 8-3, internal safety restraint system unit failure.
- 626550Subject regarding with navigation skystem - rear window tint application tips.
- 626524Subject regarding driver's power window auto-down inoperative.
- 626449Subject regarding engine starts and dies when ignition IS released.
- 626434Information regarding engine dies when the ignition key IS released.*jb
- 625978Subject regarding intermittent electrical problems.
- 623291Subject regarding engine starts and dies when ignition IS released.
- 619898Information regarding vehicles exhibiting a trip odometer that displays three dashe (- - -).
Every Acura RL model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.