Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Acura RL, and it carries 8 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 8 | 25% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 19% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 16% |
| Tires | 3 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
| Air bags | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Visibility | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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'
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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 C
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE WITH 61000 MILES. SLIPPAGE AND RUMBLE NOTED AT 45MPH AND 1550 RPMS. LURCHES AT TURNS FROM STOPPED POSITION.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 10V504000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 16V061000 (AIR BAGS), AND 16V344000(AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 NO
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUF
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2006 Acura RL. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 1-888-234-213
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 wi
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.
Risk: THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: HONDA WILL SEND A POSTCARD TO DEALERS AND OWNERS WITH THE CORRECT NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION AND WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSERT THE CARD INTO THE "REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS" SECTION OF THE O
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, i
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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. Ho
| Reliability raw | 71 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 80 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 8 of them (25%). There are 8 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 71/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.