Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 RL.
The 2009 Acura RL is a four-door passenger car powered by a V8 (as contextually implied by the 4.5-quart oil capacity) paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, returning EPA figures of 16 city, 22 highway, and 18 combined mpg on 5W-20 oil. As a model-year entry in a lineage stretching from 1996 to 2015, the 2009 RL sits well clear of the platform's worst spell—2005, when owners logged 125 complaints—instead registering a quiet 8 total complaints concentrated in the airbag category, alongside 6 recalls. That positions the 2009 model year among the RL's calmer periods rather than its trouble spots, making it a relatively defensible reference point for researchers tracking the sedan's mid-life reliability arc on the way to its 2012 low of a single complaint.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
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.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Overall length | 195.7 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 57.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.2 in |
| Curb weight | 4109 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61.8 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 58/42 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 16 / 22 / 18 mpg |
| Drivetrain | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 99 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
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.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | SH-AWD Collision Mitigation Braking System Sedan 3.7L V6 | 6.50 sec | 15.10 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | SH-AWD Collision Mitigation Braking System Sedan 3.7L V6 | 6.90 sec | 15.40 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2011 | SH-AWD Advance Package Sedan 3.7L V6 | 6.10 sec | 14.70 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2005 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.5L V6 | 6.30 sec | 14.80 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2005 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.5L V6 | 6.60 sec | 15.10 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2005 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.5L V6 | 6.70 sec | 15.20 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2005 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.5L V6 | 6.70 sec | 15.00 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2005 | SH-AWD Sedan 3.5L V6 | 7.00 sec | 15.30 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 94 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.3 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.5 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.5 qt |
| Transfer Case Fluid | 80W-90 · API · GL-4 · GL-5 |
| Transfer Case Fluid Capacity | 0.8 Pints |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 54, MT: 76 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 9 ft-lbs |
| Engine Valve Cover Bolts | 8.9 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 94 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 33 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 36 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 720 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | NGK |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.039-0.043 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 13.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | .99-1.10 lbs |
| Oil Type | PAG 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.33-4.83 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 24 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 550 cca |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum) | 57.0-64.0 psi |
| Engine Compression | 144 minimum PSI. 28 maximum variation PSI. |
| Torque to Knuckle | 58 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.060 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.098 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.106 in |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 47 ft. lbs, step 2: 60 | 47 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2009 model sits at the low‑point of the generation’s complaint curve, recording just eight federal complaints—far fewer than the 125 complaints seen in the 2005 peak and well below the 70 reported in 2000. Recall activity, however, remains steady; 2009 logged six recalls, matching the surrounding years (six in 2011–2012 and seven in 2010) after a sharp rise to eleven recalls in 2005. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) also stay moderate at 63, comparable to the 71‑72 range of the preceding three years and well under the 132 TSBs issued in 2005. The top complaint categories in 2009 are limited to Air Bags (2), Electrical System (1), Power Train (1), and Service Brakes/Hydraulic/Vehicle Speed Control (1), with only one crash‑related and one fire‑related complaint, indicating no dominant systemic issue. Overall, 2009’s low complaint count combined with a stable, moderate recall profile suggests it is a comparatively solid year to purchase within this model line.
All 8 complaints on record, top 7 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service…
Showing 5 of 63 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B18-023 | 2026-06-30 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's… |
| B18-020 | 2026-02-28 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag… |
| B23040A | 2023-05-17 | Electrical System | Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS… |
| B18-020 | 2022-04-08 | Air Bags | Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
| B18-020 | 2022-03-01 | Equipment | Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.5 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.