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.
What the fix does
This page covers 7 recalls and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 Acura Rl.
20 mpg combined
11.8 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 2011 Acura RL has 7 recalls, all concerning the Takata frontal airbag inflators, where both the driver and passenger airbags can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
All seven recalls trace back to the same underlying defect in the frontal airbag inflators. Over time, the inflator propellant can degrade, and when the airbag deploys in a crash, the inflator can rupture violently rather than inflate the bag in a controlled way. The result is metal fragments tearing through the airbag and into the occupant space at high speed. Both the driver-side and passenger-side inflators are involved across these filings, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue for all affected vehicles, which is why multiple campaigns exist for what is essentially the same hazard. Vehicles that spent time in high-humidity regions, including coastal and southern states, face a heightened risk because moisture accelerates the propellant breakdown. If this vehicle has not already had its airbag inflators replaced under one of these recalls, that service is the outstanding repair needed.
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.
What the fix does
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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.