repaired · 2020 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2003 Acura TLProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 391 owner complaints about the 2003 Acura TL, most often about the power train. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-499 the manufacturer reports only 22% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 12, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Acura TL has problems
391 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
246Power train9 crash/fire/injury
50Air bags12 crash/fire/injury
20Vehicle speed control
15Structure
15Electrical system
14Engine and engine cooling
14Suspension
10Tires
10Exterior lighting
4615 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 246 | 9 |
| Air bags | 50 | 12 |
| Vehicle speed control | 20 | 4 |
| Structure | 15 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 15 | 5 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 14 | 1 |
| Suspension | 14 | 2 |
| Tires | 10 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 1 |
| 15 other systems | 46 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2003 Acura TL recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other…
repaired · 2017 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Acura.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
76kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 215 power train complaints. 68% were reported before 100,000 miles.
37under 30k miles146under 100k miles69100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
31 owners mentioned a cost$3,750median
Middle half: $2,450 – $4,350
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2003 vs. every other TL year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the TL median. How we score
'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2003 Acura TL safety ratings
2003 Acura 3.2 TL 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2003 Acura TL, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-668
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFTNo recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 13V-172
In owners' words
What TL owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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. So when I got at work which is thirty minutes from where I live I had…
The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to shift from second gear to third gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the RMP’s revved up but the vehicle failed to…
The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and hesitated to accelerate. The check engine, third and fourth gear, ESP fault, and VSA system warning lights were illuminated. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle with a code…
Own a 2003 TL?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.