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2006 Acura RL problems

The most common problem on the 2006 Acura RL is airbags. It has 2.9 times the complaints of a typical RL model year.

Typical year2.9x the typical complaints
Year score
25/100
Owner complaints
32
Recalls
8
Service bulletins
79
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19mpg

The worst 2006 Acura RL problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    9
  • Electrical
    8
  • Lights
    5
  • Tires
    4
  • Brakes
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Acura RL

Headlights 5

Recalls 8

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported June 27, 2019 · 1,558 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B and W59.

Recall number 19V500000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported June 27, 2019 · 1,657,752 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

Recall number 19V501000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported January 10, 2017 · 308,884 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

Recall number 17V029000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported May 23, 2016 · 1,790,894 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

Recall number 16V344000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported February 3, 2016 · 2,232,187 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

Recall number 16V061000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinderReported October 22, 2010 · 471,820 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 odyssey and acura rl vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as a lubricant for certain brake system components. If replacement brake fluid is used that does not contain such polymers, or that contains only small amounts, a part of the rubber seal located at the rear of the brake master cylinder may become dry, and the seal may curl during movement of the piston. If this occurs, a small amount of brake fluid could slowly leak from the seal into the brake booster.
Risk
A leak of brake fluid could lead to a change in brake pedal feel and overtime a degradation in braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder seal free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during december 2010. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.

Recall number 10V504000 · Recall details

Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connectionsReported December 4, 2007 · 43,200 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, prolonged high under-hood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely causing the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid.
Risk
Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose free of charge. The recall began on december 12, 2007. Owners may contact honda at 800‑382‑2238.

Recall number 07V551000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: owners/service/other manualReported July 26, 2006 · 1,190,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the federal safety agency's (the federal safety agency) vehicle safety hotline.
Risk
The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
Remedy
Honda will send a postcard to dealers and owners with the correct the federal safety agency vehicle safety hotline information and with instructions to insert the card into the "reporting safety defects" section of the owner's manual. The recall began on august 2, 2006. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009, acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238 or honda motorcycles at 1‑866‑784‑1870.

Recall number 06V270000 · Recall details

See all 8 recalls for the 2006 Acura RL

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Acura RL 79

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 79 bulletins for the 2006 Acura RL

2006 Acura RL crash test ratings

Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
Acura RL 4-DR. w/SABPhrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.5

2006 Acura RL fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.5L 6‑cyl4WD162419

What 2006 Acura RL owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 23, 2023 · Driver assistance · VA

It want start and has something to do with air control

Filed Sep 17, 2020 · Lights · CA

Projector headlights are often pointed far too low and make it extremely difficult to see in normal city conditions, highway conditions however especially on backroads. According to an online forum for other acura owner's, this is a common problem that factory standards do not correct.

Filed Jun 24, 2019 · Lights · 178,000 miles · MO

Headlights randomly quit working creating hazard driving at night and inclement weather. Sometimes one side and then randomly both lights discontinue working. According to owners on acura owner website/forum, this is a common issue.

Filed May 21, 2019 · Electrical · 170,000 miles · PA

Front passenger door lock actuator was replaced less than two years ago. The exact same problem with the same door lock has reoccurred. The locked door will not open when the door handle is touched nor will the driver side door lock control lock or unlock the front passenger door. While driving the actuator is constantly trying to lock the doors but it doesn't work. I have seen other similar problems with this vehicle during my on-line research. I contacted the acura dealer that repaired and replaced the original actuator but was told that the part warranty is 1 year.

Filed Dec 10, 2017 · Airbags · VA

Takata recall

Filed Mar 1, 2017 · Transmission · 61,000 miles · IA

Torque converter failure with 61000 miles. Slippage and rumble noted at 45mph and 1550 rpms. Lurches at turns from stopped position.

Filed Oct 31, 2016 · Airbags, Brakes · KY

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 acura rl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 10v504000 (service brakes, hydraulic), 16v061000 (air bags), and 16v344000(air bags). The parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Oct 3, 2016 · Airbags · CA

Takata recall. After receiving the recall notice from american honda motor, acura automobile division, I called the dealer, weir canyon acura in orange county, ca, in early july to schedule the service. However, until now, the recall service has not been performed due to unavailability of parts. It's been more than 60 days since my appointment with the dealer. Therefore, I filed this complaint.

Filed Jul 28, 2016 · Airbags · NJ

2006 acura rl. Consumer writes in regards to replacement parts not available to repair airbag recall notice. *smd the consumer learned when the parts became available, the dealer were using the parts on their used car inventory, before making parts available to customers.

Filed Jul 15, 2016 · Airbags · GA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 acura rl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v344000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. 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. The VIN was unavailable. Parts distribution disconnect.

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Questions about the 2006 Acura RL

Is the 2006 Acura RL reliable?

Owners have filed 32 complaints about the 2006 Acura RL, 2.9 times a typical RL model year.

What is the 2006 Acura RL year score?

The 2006 Acura RL scores 25 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Acura RL: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Acura RL?

Airbags, with 9 complaints. Next is electrical (8).

How many recalls does the 2006 Acura RL have?

8 recalls, covering air bags, service brakes, hydraulic and steering.

Is the 2006 Acura RL safe in a crash?

The 2006 Acura RL was crash tested, but no overall score was published. Partial scores: rollover 5 out of 5.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Acura RL airbags?

Yes, 5 recalls: 19V500000, 19V501000, 17V029000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Acura RL have bad airbags?

The Acura RL model years with the most airbags complaints are 2005 (36 complaints), 2000 (26 complaints) and 2002 (18 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2006 Acura RL get?

Official estimates for the 2006 Acura RL range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, 4WD) gets 16 city and 24 highway.

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