2003 Acura TL Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 3%of 391 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,050miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Acura TL, 3% of the 391 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,050 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“!!!warning this is a safety issue and needs to be addressed!!! Cruise control control box defect! 2003 TL type s automatic 4 door without cruise control on car engine began to rev out of control while driving, tried to apply brakes but engine is too strong, once vehicle hit 80 MPH from this on highway I calmly turned ignition off one click so steering wheel would not lock and coasted to safety. I had to detach module as well as speed control wire going to the idle control of engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10826034, filed 2016-02, 135,000 miles“I am a claim representative for nationwide insurance. Our insured, john miholic's son, was driving the 2003 Acura 3.2tl at night. He lost control of the vehicle and struck the right front end of his vehicle. A cause and origin report conducted by lange technical service indicated that due to the impact, the ignition of combustible materials form the high intensity head lamp bulb that was displaced caused the fire which totaled out the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10074715, filed 2004-06, 28,100 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact noticed that water entered into the housing of his headlights, leaked down into the balance and blew the bulb. The contact did not inform the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The current mileage was approximately 200,000. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000. The vehicle was not repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #10371742, filed 2010-12, 13,000 miles“Despite replacing very expensive bulb twice, the electrical system burns the lights out within minutes. The electric check revealed that it will cost over $600 to replace this entire light because of the design flaw.”
NHTSA complaint #11004270, filed 2017-07“2003 Acura TL. Consumer states headlight failure. Consumer attributes failure to a manufacturing/design flaw the consumer stated both headlights failed within the same year due to a faulty inverter which was very expensive. The inverter was designed to improve headlight performance.”
NHTSA complaint #10385057, filed 2011-02Exterior lighting: other model years
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 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