According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2003 Acura RL has 2 documented known issues, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is Recall 20V027000: Moisture-Absorbing NADI Inflator in Replacement Driver Air Bags. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $150 to $700. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 2000-2003 Acura RL, the 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL is one of the vehicles named in NHTSA recall 20V027000. The problem is not the air bag the RL left the factory with — it is a replacement driver frontal air bag module that some of these sedans received during a past vehicle repair. Honda reports a manufacturing issue with the NADI inflator in those replacement modules: the inflator may absorb moisture. If it has, the inflator can rupture during deployment and send metal fragments toward the driver or other occupants, or the cushion can underinflate and fail to properly protect the driver. Given the RL's age, many of these cars have had multiple owners and multiple repairs, so the repair history that determines whether your car is covered may not be known to you. The 875,966-vehicle figure attached to this recall is the total across the whole campaign, not an RL-specific count.
Common Symptoms
How to Fix
Acura dealers perform this work free of charge: they inspect the air bags and replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design where necessary. Notification to owners began October 1, 2020. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm whether 20V027000 is open on your RL — that is the only dependable way to check on a car this old — or call American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.
On the 1996-2004 Acura RL 3.5L V6 C35A, like every C-series V6 Honda used in the 1990s and 2000s (Legend, NSX, CL, TL, RL all share the family), the RL's 3.5L C35A V6 has a distributor mounted at the back of the head and driven directly off the camshaft. Inside the distributor housing, an oil seal isolates the cam-driven shaft from the cap/rotor/electrical assembly above. By 100,000 miles the seal hardens, oil pressure forces engine oil past the shaft, and the cap fills with oil. Result: misfires (typically P0300 random plus individual cylinder codes P0301-P0306 since this is a V6), rough idle, hesitation. RepairPal explicitly lists distributor O-rings as one of the most common Acura RL oil leak points. The figure-8 oil cooler seal and oil filter housing gasket are the other two common leaks on this engine — diagnose carefully before assuming distributor. The C35A engine remained in the first-gen RL through the entire 1996-2004 production run, so this issue affects all years.
Oil pooling inside the distributor cap when removed
Engine misfires, especially under load or after warm-up
Check engine light with P0300 random misfire or P0301-P0306 single-cylinder
Rough idle that smooths out with throttle
Visible oil at the rear of the engine, dripping down the back of the block
How to Fix
There is no replaceable seal inside the distributor — the seal is between the rotating shaft and the bearing inside the cast housing. The only fix is replacing the whole distributor assembly. OEM Honda runs $400-700; Cardone remanufactured runs $150-250. While the distributor is out, also replace the distributor cap, rotor, and ignition wires — they're cheap and you're already at the parts. Inspect the cap and rotor on the old unit for oil contamination to confirm distributor was the source. If you also see leaks elsewhere (figure-8 cooler seal, oil filter housing), address those at the same time — they share access path. Total job: 2-3 hours independent shop.
Owner tips & cautions
TipReplace cap + rotor + ignition wires at the same time as the distributor. You're already there. Saves a future labor cycle.
WarningDon't assume distributor without inspection. RepairPal also lists the oil cooler 'figure-8' O-ring and oil filter housing gasket as common RL leaks. Pull the cap and check for oil before buying the distributor.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles.
These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Campaign #20V02700017/01/2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS, OIL WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO PREVENT RUST. THIS OIL CAN LEAK INTO THE BRAKE STOP SWITCH AND CONTAMINATE THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS.
Campaign #02V11900014/05/2002
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
Campaign #20V02600017/01/2020
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY HAVE INTERNAL CORROSION, RESULTING IN REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Campaign #03V23900002/07/2003
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2003 Acura RL has 2 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Recall 20V027000: Moisture-Absorbing NADI Inflator in Replacement Driver Air Bags, Distributor shaft seal leaks oil into cap, causes misfires (P0300-P0304) on 3.5L C35A. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Acura RL reliable?
The 2003 Acura RL has 2 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 1 issue is rated critical: Recall 20V027000: Moisture-Absorbing NADI Inflator in Replacement Driver Air Bags. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Acura RL problems?
Repair costs for known Acura RL issues range from $150 to $700, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2000-2003 Acura RL Recall 20V027000: Moisture-Absorbing NADI Inflator in Replacement Driver Air Bags?
The 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL is one of the vehicles named in NHTSA recall 20V027000. The problem is not the air bag the RL left the factory with — it is a replacement driver frontal air bag module that some of these sedans received during a past vehicle repair. Honda reports a manuf… Severity: high.
What is the 1996-2004 Acura RL Distributor shaft seal leaks oil into cap, causes misfires (P0300-P0304) on 3.5L C35A?
Like every C-series V6 Honda used in the 1990s and 2000s (Legend, NSX, CL, TL, RL all share the family), the RL's 3.5L C35A V6 has a distributor mounted at the back of the head and driven directly off the camshaft. Inside the distributor housing, an oil seal isolates the cam-driv… Repairs typically run $150-$700. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
