Acura · RL · 2004
2004 Acura RL
0
Recalls
11
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 2004 Acura RL has no recalls and 11 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: electrical system (3 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2004 Acura 3.5 RL 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 1008
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
- Complaints
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Recalls
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Safety ratings
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Investigations
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Manufacturer communications
- Separate successful check not recorded.
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Apr 28, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
Research Context
The 2004 Acura RL page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is electrical system with 3 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2004 Acura RL currently shows no active NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 11 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows no overall NHTSA safety rating in our current dataset.
- The most frequent complete stored component labels on this page are electrical system (3), air bags (2), steering (1).
- Vehicle
- 2004 Acura RL
- Recalls
- 0
- Complaints
- 11
- Stored Configuration Overall Rating
- Not available in this dataset
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Configuration Test Results
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2004 Acura 3.5 RL 4-DR. w/SAB NCAP Vehicle ID: 1008
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
No overall score is available in our current dataset. The individual results below are not a combined safety rating; compare vehicles within the same test program and model year.
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Owner Complaints
11 totalSTEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Oct 16, 2017
THE POWER STEERING LINE IS POURING OUT THE FLUID AND BURNS UNDER THE CAR CAUSING SMOKE
STEERING
Jan 13, 2017
FAILURE OF POWER STEERING TILT/REACH. POWER STEERING TILT/REACH STOPPED WORKING. THE GEARS ACURA HAVE USED ARE PLASTIC AND FRAGILE. ACURA DOES NOT SELL THE GEARS, THEY WANT PEOPLE TO BUY NEW STEERING COLUMN. ONE PERSON CAN GET STEERING POSITIONED AT COMFORTABLE PLACE BUT THEN I...
Preview excerpt
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Sep 1, 2014
MY DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AND I'M UNSURE WHETHER IT'S THE SWITCH OR THE ACTUATOR. HONDA'S AND ACURA'S ARE SYNONYMOUS WITH MALFUNCTIONING ACTUATORS.FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR, I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO FIX DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS NUMEROUS TIMES. MY...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Aug 25, 2014
I TRIED STARTING MY CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY BATTERY WENT DEAD. ALL THE GADGETS ON MY DASH AND NOT ONE COULD TELL ME MY BATTERY WAS DYING OR LOW ON CHARGE. SO I CALL AAA AND THEY REPLACE THE BATTERY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR IS WORKING BETTER AND MY AC IS WORKING BETTER. ALL ...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 19, 2014
I PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BLINKED RIGHT AFTER TURNING OFF THE CAR. I KNEW I HAD A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE DOOR LOCKS WOULDN'T WORK. I TRIED TO RE-ENGAGE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO OPEN THE DOOR LOCKS, BUT THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ELECTRICALLY DEAD....
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
Jul 17, 2013
THE AIRBAG OR SRS(SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM) LIGHT IS ON MY 2004 ACURA RL WHEN BUYING THE CAR I DON'T NOTICE THE LIGHT WAS ON UNTIL I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT AND BILL OF SALES WAS FINAL AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSE SINCE I BROUGHT THE CAR RIGHT BEFORE CLOSING TIME. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
Feb 18, 2013
THE DVD NAVIGATION SYSTEM IN THE RL IS BURNING OUT THE DVD DISK AND CAUSING THE NAVIGATION TO STOP WORKING. THE GPS LOCATOR ON THE SCREEN HAD MY VEHICLE NOWHERE NEAR THE ACTUAL LOCATION. THE NAVIGATION VOICE WOULD GIVE COMMAND TO MAKE A TURN WHERE NO ROAD EXISTED. I HAVE COME T...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 18, 2012
(10/18/12 APPROXIMATELY) THE ALARM SYSTEM WENT OFF RANDOMLY AND THE REMOTE FOB FAILED TO OPERATE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS CYCLING ON AND OFF AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY WOULD REMAIN LIT. IT WAS A STORMY NIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED SO I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST THE ALARM SENSOR BEING OVE...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
CRASH2 injuriesOct 11, 2012
MY WIFE WAS ENTERING A BEND IN THE ROAD AND CAME UPON A CAR STOPPED IN HER LANE, WITH NO BRAKES LIGHTS!!! SHE ATTEMPTED TO SWERVE TO THE SHOULDER BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. SHE IMPACTED THE CAR IN THE REAR, SLIGHTLY OFFSET TO THE RIGHT (PASSENGER) SIDE. THE FRONT OF HER CAR IMPACTED SL...
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EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 18, 2004
XEON HIGHLIGHTS ON HIGH END AUTOMOBILES ARE BLINDING AND LEAVE RETINAL SPOTS. DID ANYONE CHECK THESE LIGHTS BEFORE THEY WERE APPROVED? *AK
Showing 10 recent complaints from 11 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2004 Acura models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Acura RL Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Acura RL have?
The 2004 Acura RL has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2004 Acura RL?
NHTSA has received 11 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Acura RL.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2004 Acura RL?
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 2004 Acura RL. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Acura RL?
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2004 Acura RL are electrical system (3 reports), air bags (2 reports), steering (1 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Does the 2004 Acura RL have any recalls?
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2004 Acura RL. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.