NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 8 owner complaints for the 2009 Acura RL. Most complaints involve air bags (3) and service brakes, hydraulic (2). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
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.
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.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura RL, 2010 Honda Element, and 2010-2013 Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of 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, Honda is recalling certain 2010 Acura RL, 2010-2011 Honda Element and Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of 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."
If not included in zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura RL, Honda Element, and Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C."
These vehicles are equipped with certain inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Air bags
3 reports1 crash
“FAILED TO GET A DATE TO REMEDY THE AIRBAG RECALL ON MY CAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Jun 2, 2017·Air bagsODI 10992870
Service brakes, hydraulic
2 reports
“WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED; SUDDENLY NOTICED VERY SLOW CAR AHEAD; UPON BRAKING, CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD; TO AVOID HEAD ON COLLISION TO LEFT, OR REAR END COLLISION AHEAD, TOOK TO SHOULDER TO ATTEMPT TO SLOW CAR DOWN; EVENTUALLY GOT CAR UNDER CONTROL AGAIN; HAVE REACHED NO DEFINITE CONCLUSIONS YET AS TO CAUSE, BUT HAVE CONTACTED DEALER FOR HELP, AS STILL WITHIN WARRANTY”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Jan 18, 2012·Service brakes, hydraulic, Vehicle speed controlODI 10444420
Vehicle speed control
2 reports1 crash
“I HAVE A 2009 ACURA RL. WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. AFTER ABOUT 20 FEET I NEEDED TO BRAKE. THE CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF BRAKING. WE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. ONLY THE DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED. NON OF THE DOORS WOULD OPEN EITHER FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN EITHER. I FEEL THAT BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION, ONLY ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYING, AND THE DOORS REFUSING TO OPEN, THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OR SOMETHING GOING ON. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSA·Filed Mar 5, 2010·Fuel system, other, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10317137
6 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2009 Acura RL problems?
Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (3), service brakes, hydraulic (2), vehicle speed control (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2009 Acura RL get?
The EPA rates the 2009 Acura RL at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).