Selling a junk or non-running Acura RL

The RL ran for 17 model years. If yours has reached the end, we buy whole non-running and junk cars, and you can sell the whole car as it sits with free pickup anywhere in the US.

1996-2004: the last V6 without VTEC

The first RL was built at Sayama, Japan, from December 1995 to 2004. It had a 3.5-liter C35A V6, a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. Wikipedia notes it was the last engine in Acura's lineup without Honda's VTEC variable valve timing, and the last of Honda's C-series V6 engines.

Owners filed 210 complaints across these nine model years. Two years stand out. The 2000 has 59, and 25 of them name air bags. The 2002 has 43, with 18 on air bags. Recalls that touch this generation:

• Transmission case bolt, 1996-1999 (99V227). A loose case bolt can drop out, and the transmission may then disengage from the differential. Dealers fit a redesigned bolt.
• Front lower ball joints, 1996-1998 (99V069). Early wear can end with the front suspension collapsing.
• Brake light switch, 2000-2002 (02V119). Anti-rust oil from the factory can seep into the stop switch and foul its contacts.
• Driver air bag inflators, 1998-2000 (20V026) and 2000-2003 (20V027). Dealers inspect and replace the inflator where needed.

2005-2012: all-wheel drive, and a flood of recalls

The second RL went into production in August 2004 and ended June 16, 2012. It switched to all-wheel drive (Acura's SH-AWD), with a 290 hp 3.5-liter J35A8 V6 through 2008 and a 5-speed automatic with sequential sport shift through 2010. Wikipedia records five-star NHTSA crash ratings and a 2009 IIHS Top Safety Pick.

No RL year draws more complaints than the 2005: 125, led by exterior lighting (39), air bags (36) and the electrical system (16). The recall list is long for this generation:

• Fuel pump relay, 2005 (07V097). A coil wire inside the relay can break and cut power to the pump, and the engine may not start.
• Power steering hose, 2005-2008 (07V551). Under-hood heat can crack the hose and leak fluid. Wikipedia says the same recall reached the 2004-2008 TL.
• Brake master cylinder seal, 2005-2007 (10V504). The seal can be damaged if brake fluid other than Acura or Honda Genuine DOT3 is used. The campaign's 471,820 vehicles include Honda Odysseys.
• Traction control, 2005 (13V092). Dealers add a partial wiring harness; the campaign also covers Pilots and MDXs.
• Air bag inflators, 2005-2012. 14V353, 16V061 and 19V500 on the driver's side; 16V344, 17V029, 18V041, 18V662 and 19V501 on the passenger's side. Some are regional and limited to cars registered in certain states.

The vehicle counts on all of these are whole-campaign totals across many Honda and Acura models, not RL counts.

RL complaints and recalls by model year

Source: NHTSA owner complaints through October 10, 2026. For each RL year, the recall column counts the campaigns that list it, and most RL campaigns list more than one year. A 2009-2012 RL also spent less time in service for owners to file about.

Repair or sell?

Get the free fixes first. Check the VIN with NHTSA's recall search and ask an Acura dealer about open items; many RLs still have an inflator or steering hose recall waiting. Our guide to selling with an open recall explains how it affects a sale.

Then price the real problem. Lighting and electrical complaints lead the 2005, and the electrical problems guide helps decide when a wiring hunt has gone on long enough. When an estimate approaches the value of a working RL from the same year, the repair rarely pays back.

How the sale works

1. Note the VIN and odometer, describe the fault, and say if it rolls and steers.
2. Request an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Describe the spot: a garage, a driveway, a curb or a repair shop. An all-wheel-drive car that won't roll matters to the truck, so mention it.
4. Keep the car complete, converters and wheels too; flag any part that's already missing.
5. Sign over the title when our truck shows up for the RL. Lost it? Read selling with no title.

The RLX replaced the RL in 2014, and the Legend came before it. Every Acura model we cover is on the make page.