1996 Acura Rl: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1996 Acura Rl: 2 recalls, 22 owner complaints.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #99V069000 · 1999 · 124,875 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #99V227000 · 1999 · 96,518 vehicles
What's wrong: A transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will install a redesigned bolt.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E049000 · 2006 · 27,176 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine & cooling (4): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (4): the most common themes are noise or vibration (3), warning light on (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1996 Acura Rl has 22 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 18 Rl model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 24). Complaints peaked in 2003 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 144,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (19 complaints, 2 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1996 Acura Rl.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1996 Acura Rl have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1996 Acura Rl, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1996 Acura Rl problems?
Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are visibility (wipers, glass) (5), engine & cooling (4), brakes (hydraulic) (4).
Where can I get a 1996 Acura Rl repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.