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Owner report · 1998 model year

1998 Acura RL

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The Verdict

Worst problem area

Airbags & Restraints

Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 4 of 11 complaints (36%) mention it.

Complaints filed fell from 19 in 1997 to 11 in 1998.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
11
Recall campaigns
3
EPA fuel cost per year
$4,050
Combined MPG
19

Complaints by model year

  1. 221996
  2. 191997
  3. 111998
  4. 241999
  5. 592000

Where owners report problems

  1. Airbags & Restraints4 (36%)
  2. Body, Seats & Latches2 (18%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (18%)
  4. Transmission & Drivetrain2 (18%)
  5. Visibility & Lighting2 (18%)
  6. Brakes1 (9%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years.
Category19961997199819992000vs. 1998 Midsize Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)4,0504,0504,0504,3004,300
Combined MPG1919191818
City / Highway MPG17 / 2317 / 2317 / 2316 / 2216 / 22
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)468468468494494
Complaints filed2219112459Not compared
Recalls issued32324Not compared
Crash-involved complaints22005Not compared
Fire-involved complaints20010Not compared
Injuries reported01021Not compared
Deaths reported00000Not compared
Configurations compared11111

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Acura RL have?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Acura RL?

Airbags & Restraints: 4 of 11 NHTSA complaints (36%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Acura RL get?

EPA rates it 19 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Acura RL?

EPA estimates $4,050 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (1)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd63.5LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars17 mpg23 mpg19 mpg$4,050468 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine00000
Transmission & Drivetrain20000
Fuel System00000
Electrical10000
Brakes10000
Steering00000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires20000
Airbags & Restraints40000
Driver Assistance & Speed Control00000
Body, Seats & Latches20000
Visibility & Lighting20000
Other00000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (3)

  • AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Campaign 20V026000 · Jan 17, 2020

    Defect
    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 vehicles were equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
    Consequence
    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.

  • POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

    Campaign 99V227000 · Aug 19, 1999

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A TRANSMISSION CASE BOLT CAN LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO DISENGAGE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
    Consequence
    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.

  • SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

    Campaign 99V069000 · May 10, 1999

    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    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.