NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
This page covers 7 recalls and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Acura Rl.
18 mpg combined
13.1 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
The 2010 Acura RL has 7 recalls, all centered on the same life-threatening defect: frontal airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger sides can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, striking occupants with potentially fatal force.
All seven recalls trace back to the same underlying problem with Takata airbag inflators. Both the driver-side and passenger-side frontal airbag inflators are affected. When these inflators rupture during a deployment, instead of inflating the bag to cushion an occupant in a crash, they can burst apart and scatter metal shrapnel through the interior at high speed. The risk applies to anyone seated in the front of the vehicle. Some filings specifically cover vehicles registered in hot, humid climates including states like Florida, Texas, Hawaii, and Louisiana, as well as U.S. territories, where heat and moisture accelerate the degradation that makes rupture more likely. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue across all affected vehicles, which is why multiple rounds of recalls cover overlapping inflator components on this model. Any 2010 RL with unresolved airbag recall work outstanding carries a serious risk every time the vehicle is driven and a crash occurs.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
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What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front airbag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front airbag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from prolonged exposure to heat, humidity, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator can rupture during a crash due to chemical breakdown from long-term exposure to heat and humidity.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Moisture can seep into the dual-stage driver frontal air bag inflator over time, potentially causing it to rupture.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.