2003 Acura TL Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 50about this part
- Share
- 13%of 391 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 50 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Acura TL, 13% of the 391 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2003 Acura t.l was in motion when the vehicle started slipping on 2nd gear. Then when vehicle was stationary it would not move in reverse gear. As I was on highway the car started jerking out of control, I could not accelerate, vehicle barely wanted to move so I put it in #2 gear so it work catch and I was able to drive to safety without anyone getting hurt. Very frightening and dangerous. Problem must be addressed immediately.”
NHTSA complaint #11311313, filed 2020-02, 167,000 miles“Takata recall, srs light came on in my car and my car has not been in an accident, I have had fuses checked , and nothing wrong with any of my safety equipment my light still stays on. Called Acura dealer just got the run around again and again. The vehicle was in motion when light came on street driving .”
NHTSA complaint #10945178, filed 2017-01, 146,000 miles“This 2003 Acura tls was recalled for airbag defect. After 3 visits I am now told I will need a $700 repair to the airbag sensor. It is extremely odd that the 2 items happened at the same time. I believe the two items are one in the same and should have the scope of the recall expanded to encompass this sensor. I noticed another complaint on the same issue with the srs light.”
NHTSA complaint #10668728, filed 2014-12, 155,000 miles“My daughter died in a accident on november 7, 2013 in the Acura TL 2003. She had been telling me that it felt like the ignition was sticking and would speed up. I would check with my local mechanic and he told me acuras are known to idle high. I believe that her car problem was the cause of the accident and the police could not give me a reason for the accident. She was 19 and a senior in high school and was a good child.”
NHTSA complaint #10595989, filed 2014-06, 120,000 miles“I need to make a complaint against american honda motor co., inc. This entity has been sending me letters, calling me and knocking on my door for the last two years about an airbag inflator recall. Each type they contact me I tell them I no longer own this vehicle. It was traded in over two years ago. Even though I may still be registered as the owner, I have no idea who truly owns this vehicle as it was traded in at a dealership. I filled out a vehicle transfer notice over two years ago but honda Acura keeps contacting me about this recall on a monthly basis, to the date! …”
NHTSA complaint #11280780, filed 2019-11, 100,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V499000Jun 27, 2019Honda (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…Covers: Acura TL 2002–2003, Honda Element 2003–2011, Accord 2001–2007 +9 more
- 19V182000Mar 6, 2019Honda (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…Covers: Acura TL 2002–2006, 2009–2014, RDX 2007–2016, Honda Element 2003–2011 +14 more
- 15V320000May 28, 2015Honda (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…Covers: Acura TL 2002–2003, Honda Element 2003–2011, Accord 2001–2007 +9 more
Related service bulletins
- 10172575Mar 10, 2020Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty…
- 10147186Oct 26, 2018Service bulletin - This bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is now complete. If you did the collection in this Service Bulletin on or before October 26, 2018 (RO…
- 10139573May 24, 2018Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty…
- 10086306Sep 7, 2016Posters sent to hawaiian independent repair facilities, automotive part stores, car washes, and gas stations to remind owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment…
- 10086291Sep 7, 2016Flyer circulated to the residents of hawaii to remind owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment at their earliest convenience.
- 10086288Aug 29, 2016Letter sent in conjunction with the florida highway safety and motor vehicles department to remind florida owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment at their…
- 10099824Dec 22, 2015"service bulletin - american honda consolidated the previous airbag inflator campaigns into this current bulletin based on decisions made by nhtsa. Do an in vin status inquiry…
- 10099882Dec 2, 2015Poster of listed acura vehicles affected by an airbag inflator recall - spanish.
- 10099881Dec 2, 2015Poster of listed acura vehicles affected by an airbag inflator recall - english.
- 10100712Sep 16, 2015"service bulletin - american honda consolidated the previous airbag inflator campaigns into this current bulletin based on decisions made by nhtsa. Do an in vin status inquiry…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 8 | 47% |
| 2013 | 19 | 31% |
| 2012 | 43 | 33% |
| 2011 | 13 | 65% |
| 2010 | 34 | 53% |
| 2009 | 19 | 45% |
| 2008 | 34 | 27% |
| 2007 | 41 | 33% |
| 2006 | 85 | 34% |
| 2005 | 144 | 37% |
| 2004 | 199 | 36% |
| 2003 | 50 | 13% |
| 2002 | 42 | 13% |
| 2001 | 15 | 10% |
| 2000 | 62 | 25% |
| 1999 | 13 | 8% |
| 1998 | 1 | 5% |
| 1997 | 1 | 4% |
| 1996 | 3 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2003 Acura TL
246 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsTires
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsEquipment
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Acura TL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology