MYRModel Year Report

2003 Acura TL

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Acura TL
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
391
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

64% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 1 complaint 1995 1996: 26 complaints 1997: 23 complaints 1998: 20 complaints 1998 1999: 157 complaints 2000: 249 complaints 2001: 149 complaints 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 391 complaints 2003 391 2004: 551 complaints 2005: 388 complaints 2006: 247 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 124 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2010: 64 complaints 2010 2011: 20 complaints 2012: 130 complaints 2013: 62 complaints 2013 2014: 17 complaints
1995: 1 complaint 1995 1996: 26 complaints 1997: 23 complaints 1997 1998: 20 complaints 1999: 157 complaints 1999 2000: 249 complaints 2001: 149 complaints 2001 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 391 complaints 2003 391 2004: 551 complaints 2005: 388 complaints 2005 2006: 247 complaints 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 124 complaints 2009: 42 complaints 2009 2010: 64 complaints 2011: 20 complaints 2011 2012: 130 complaints 2013: 62 complaints 2013 2014: 17 complaints
1995: 1 complaint 1995 1996: 26 complaints 1996 1997: 23 complaints 1997 1998: 20 complaints 1998 1999: 157 complaints 1999 2000: 249 complaints 2000 2001: 149 complaints 2001 2002: 333 complaints 2002 2003: 391 complaints 2003 391 2004: 551 complaints 2004 2005: 388 complaints 2005 2006: 247 complaints 2006 2007: 124 complaints 2007 2008: 124 complaints 2008 2009: 42 complaints 2009 2010: 64 complaints 2010 2011: 20 complaints 2011 2012: 130 complaints 2012 2013: 62 complaints 2013 2014: 17 complaints 2014

2003: 391 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19951
199626
199723
199820
1999157
2000249
2001149
2002333
2003391
2004551
2005388
2006247
2007124
2008124
200942
201064
201120
2012130
201362
201417

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

64% · 250 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving at highway speeds automatic transmission slipped without touching gear shift. Vehicle spinned out, hitting a wall on freeway.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-16

Driving on Highway going 65mph vehicle suddenly jerked and dropped to 20 mph. Causing my entire body to collide with the steering wheel. Luckily there no cars behind me. Was on my way to work when this happened too far from home.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-01-20

While in D5 waiting to let head-on traffic go, could not complete left turn due to suddenly disengaged transmission, as if in neutral.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-02

Air bags

13% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and inflator module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I was applying the brake due to stopped traffic ahead of my car. As I did so, the car accelerated rather than slowed down. My car contacted the left rear of the car in front of mine, and as I tried to straighten out the car, it again accelerated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-12-10

Also filed under Structure

TL* the contact owned a 2003 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH on a wet surface, she lost control of the vehicle and was involved in a rollover crash. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-26

Takata recall passenger airbag warning light stays on

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-02

Vehicle speed control

6% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing linkages and cruise control.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Car was in park, went to remove keys. Car accelerated at high speed slamming into wall.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-22

Structure

4% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing body and underbody shields.

CRASHDEATH

Electrical system

4% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2002-08-30Engine and engine cooling02V226000 On certain minivans, sedans, coupes, and sport utility vehicles equipped with V6 engines, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the water pump and if it is one of the defective pumps, the water pump and timing belt will be replaced. Owner notification began August 30, 2002. Owners who take their…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2002-10-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-03-05 Automatic transmission sudden downshift
  3. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 391 complaints filed for this model year.
  4. R
    2004-04-27Power train04V176000 On some mini vans, sport utility and passenger vehicles, certain operating conditions can result in heat build-up between the countershaft and secondary shaft second gears in the automatic…

    Remedy: On vehicles with 15,000 miles or less, the dealer will update the transmission with a simple revision to the oil cooler return line to increase lubrication to the second gear. On vehicles with more…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  6. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  7. R
    2015-07-01Air bags15V320000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2019-04-10Air bags19V182000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V499000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

    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 at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Acura TL — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 250 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 51 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 22 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V226000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 04V176000 · Power train
  • Recall 15V320000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V182000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V499000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Acura TL reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Acura TL is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Acura TL?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 64% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Acura TL have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.