1998 Acura RL
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1998 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 1998 Acura RL. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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
11 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags
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…
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 the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
- Air bags
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…
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 not available to remedy the recall. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
- Suspension › Front
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.…
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 the service department. Currently car IS in the shop as I am trying to see who's at fault in order to get assistance for the work to be done. After doing some research I found that the lower ball joint was recalled during 1996-1999 for this part. Also the left side front fender etc IS dented. *Tr
- Latches/locks/linkages · Structure › Body › Door
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…
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 opposite side there IS no way to egress vehicle you are trapped. *Tr
- Seat belts › Front
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
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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
- Electrical system · Seat belts › Rear/other · Structure · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
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 purchase of the vehicle they work randomly or not at all. *tc *jb
- Visibility › Windshield
Consumer states that windshield has a glare. Dealer notified.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
While driving vehicle would not/ go into gear or move. Took vehicle to a mechanic, and they stated it was differential and transmission. please provide any further information.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads
Rear brake pads were required to be replaced at 16552 miles due to wear. front brake pads required to be replaced at 26,219 miles due to wear. dealer claims that these are just "softer pads" and it IS normal for the brakes to wear out this quickly. I don't buy it. no one has been hurt-yet. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission jerks while coming out of first gear.
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.
- 10012636Deformed windshield molding.
- 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.
- 637638Information on diagnosing srs diagnostic trouble code 6-7 and / or 7-2 internal failure of srs unit.
- 636758Subject regarding front suspension squeaks in cold weather.
- 633353Information regarding the immobilizer system, type 1.
- 633348Service information regarding shift shock, judder, or clunk noise during 1ST to 2ND upshift.
- 631033Information on diagnostic trouble code p1106.
- 629322Information on troubleshooting diagnostic trouble codes p1705, p1768, p0753, p0758.
- 629320Subject regarding a squeal noise at front suspension at low temperature.
- 629316Information on diagnostic trouble code p1106, baro sensor range, performance.
- 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.
Every Acura RL model year
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