Sell your 1998 Acura RL for cash

The 1998 Acura RL is a midsize car that came with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine. At 28 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

  • Free offer for your 1998 RL in about 30 seconds
  • Free towing, running or not
  • Paid at pickup

Get an offer for your 1998 RL

Six quick questions. No obligation.

Thanks! Online offers are launching soon. Please check back shortly.

Free, no-obligation offer. Free towing included.

1998 Acura RL at a glance

Body styleMidsize Cars
Engines3.5L 6-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
FuelPremium Gasoline
Fuel economy17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$4,350 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂468 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA1 configuration
Age28 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 28 years old, most of a 1998 RL's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a midsize car, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1998 RL. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the air bags. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

1998 Acura RL recalls

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 1998 Acura RL. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Air BagsJan 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V026000

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…

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios incr

Power TrainAug 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V227000

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A transmission case bolt can loosen and fall out allowing the transmission to disengage from the differential.

Risk: The vehicle could lose power to the drive wheels without warning. Also, shifting the transmission into the park position would not lock the wheels, and a parked vehicle could move unexpectedly if the parking brake is not set.

SuspensionMay 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V069000

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain vehicles were manufactured with ball joints that can prematurely wear out and, in the worse case, the ball joint would separate causing the front suspension to collapse.

Risk: This condition would result in vehicle deceleration and a sudden loss of power. Also steering controllability would be reduced.

Common 1998 RL problems

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 1998 Acura RL with NHTSA.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Air Bags2
  • Power Train2
  • Electrical System1
  • Power Train1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
  • Structure1

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Electrical System99,000 mi
  • Structure99,000 mi

1998 Acura RL service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 73 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1998 Acura RL. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Electrical System7
  • Equipment7
  • Power Train6
  • Unknown or Other4
  • Visibility4
  • Electrical System3

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2019 · DORE5C4S09

    This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for the outer diameter of the ball joint housing being to

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2017 · BJA46167

    Sending vehicle data to tech line.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNov 2016 · B05-018

    Service bulletin - navigation system information.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 2016 · B98015

    Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Other Acura RL years

‹ Sell a 1997 RL · Sell a 1999 RL › · All Acura RL years

Other 1998 Acura models

Selling a 1998 RL: questions

How much is a 1998 Acura RL worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 1998 RL that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 1998 RLs that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 1998 RL with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1998 Acura RL; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 1998 RL?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

Get cash for your 1998 RL today

Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.

Get my offer
Get my offer