2003 Acura TL Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 391 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the equipment of the 2003 Acura TL, 2% of the 391 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Multiple issues over a 2.5 year period with a new 2003 Acura 3.2 TL type s. I have had a transmission replaced after receiving a safety recall. Secondly, the car has had an idling issue for 2.5 years that was just recently resolved with the replacement of an engine control valve. Third, the A/C was not working properly and the compressor was replaced. Fourth, the idle air control system was bad and had to be replaced. Fifth, and most worrisome, is that I have had white smoke come from under my hood on 3 separate occasions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10143146, filed 2005-11, 3 miles“I was driving from ossining, ny to takoma park , md , 260 miles on i95 when at 70 MPH smoke started coming out of the exhaust and the engine compartment. The tachometer went up to 7000 rpms. I was using cruise control. I immediately touched the brake pedal to release the cruise control. However, I had no power from the transmission. I was fortunately able to coast to the right side shoulder from the left most lane of the highway and call onstar. Apparently the transmission had blown, and all the transmission fluid was all over the highway and the shoulder where I eventually stopped. …”
NHTSA complaint #10187434, filed 2007-04, 107,800 miles“2003 Acura TL type-s, 36960 miles: recurring transmission slippage when shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear (automatic 5-speed transmission) and nearly caused car crash when driving on highway during rush hour traffic three times. Currently driving a rental waiting to have replacement transmission installed. ( oil jet kit was installed by dealer 2 months ago in response to recent recall by Acura.)”
NHTSA complaint #10093514, filed 2004-10, 36,960 miles“Was traveling on I-20 with family and transmission in 2003 Acura type s just blew out with no warning traveling seventy miles an hour. Coasted to side of interstate and had to get out and push car further out of harms way. Hot transmission fluid created smoke from engine compartment and left us stranded sixty miles from home. New transmission was installed in this vehicle in 2007 at dealership with 50,000 miles on it and now it goes out again with about 50,000 miles on it. Dealer would only give ten percent towards goodwill fix paid thirty two hundred out of pocket. …”
NHTSA complaint #10333964, filed 2010-05, 102,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10144042Aug 9, 2018Service bulletin - Emission certification labels that were replaced on a small number of vehicles may have been replaced with a label listing incorrect information. The affected…
- 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…
- 10130044Jan 10, 2018Servicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
- 10127358Jan 10, 2018Servicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
- 10118544Sep 26, 2017Tech line summary article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
- 10193392Jan 1, 2017Sending vehicle data to tech line.
- 10100462Nov 23, 2016Service bulletin - navigation system information.
- 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…
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 1% |
| 2003 | 8 | 2% |
| 2002 | 8 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 2% |
| 1997 | 1 | 4% |
| 1996 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2003 Acura TL
246 complaintsAir bags
50 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 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