AcuraRL2000Overview/acura/rl/2000/base/

2000 Acura RL

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2000 RL.

Body PASSENGER CAR

Classified as a PASSENGER CAR requiring 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, the 2000 Acura RL establishes its mechanical baseline alongside a documented reliability profile. This model year generated 70 total owner complaints and 4 recalls, with Air Bags identified as the top complaint area. Contextualized within the 1996-2015 model complaint history, the 2000 RL's report count falls between the generation's highest figure of 125 in 2005 and the lowest of 1 in 2012, framing its position in the vehicle's overall reliability trajectory.

Model year201220112010200920082007200620052000

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24 · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-60VR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length196.9 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase114.6 in
Curb weight3649 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RL of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.5–7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.50 sec — 1996 3.5 Premium Package Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20023.5 w/Nav Sedan 3.5L V67.90 sec16.10 sec225 hpFWD
19963.5 Premium Package Sedan 3.5L V67.50 sec16.00 sec210 hpFWD
19963.5 Premium Package Sedan 3.5L V67.80 sec16.00 sec210 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, GL-4 · GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-4 · GL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.2 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts181 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts54 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8mm bolts, 16: 6mm bolts, 9 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts16.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts8.9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.9-1.1 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.0.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50-1.60 lbs
Oil TypePAG 46
Oil Capacity4.66 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50-1.60 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0-50.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)35.0-42.0 psi
Engine Compression142
Engine Oil Pressure10 psi @ idle, 50 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket80 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.060 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.906 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.906 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.826 in / 0.295 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
At 30,000 miFinal Drive (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
At 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miBalance Shaft Drive Belt (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) · Water Pump (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2000 Acura RL represents the peak of complaint activity within the first generation (1996–2004), logging 70 complaints and 4 recalls against a backdrop where earlier model years ranged from 11 to 38 complaints and later first-generation years fell to 11–59. Air bags dominate the concern profile at 21 complaints, more than four times the next category (Service Brakes, Hydraulic at 5), and this issue does not appear to bleed significantly into 2001 (which dropped back to 25 total complaints), suggesting a model-year-specific cluster rather than a systemic first-generation flaw. The 86 TSBs recorded for 2000 are also near the top of the generation's range, indicating active manufacturer attention to issues that year. By contrast, the successor 2005 model year shows a far worse profile—125 complaints, 11 recalls, and 3 investigations—making 2000 look relatively measured by comparison. For a buyer, the 2000 model warrants a focused inspection of the air bag system and confirmation that all four recalls have been completed, but its single-year spike is not representative of the broader first-generation arc and it remains a defensible used purchase, particularly versus 2005.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
86
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
70
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 70 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags21
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Steering4
Visibility4
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Power Train3
Power Train,Electrical System3
Vehicle Speed Control3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V026000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 17/01/2020

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… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag inflator, and replace it if necessary, with an inflator of a different design, free of charge. The…

20V027000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 17/01/2020

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… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 86 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DORE5C4S092019-07-11SuspensionThis SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of…
B18010I2018-01-10Electrical SystemServicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this…
B18010I2018-01-10EquipmentServicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this…
BTS1708012017-09-26EquipmentTech line summary article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of…
BTS1708012017-08-31Electrical SystemTech line summary article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RL. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2000 RL take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2000 RL have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.