2003 Acura TL Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 391 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Acura TL, 1% of the 391 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,000 miles. 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.
“I started the Acura 3.2tl type s at 6:45am, the Acura had not been started or driven the previous 14 hours. Engaged transmission in reverse, the gear locked up and rapidly accelerated backward and at the same time a fire started in the engine compartment, I managed to stop the Acura after 30 feet where I was on and off my parking area at my house. …”
NHTSA complaint #10116524, filed 2005-04, 42,000 miles“As I was accelerating onto the highway, the car continued to accelerate. At 89mph I hit the brakes hard to see if I could slow down. Would not happen. Put the transmission into neutral and shut off the engine and braked to the side of the road. When the dealer examined the throttle body they found the plastic cam for the cruise control had broken and the cable for the cruise had jammed the throttle wide open. When asked if that part was replaceable I was informed the whole throttle body would have to be replaced at ~$500. …”
NHTSA complaint #10430320, filed 2011-10, 122,000 miles“This car is not safe. First, the Takata airbags are in it. I drove my daughter, my mother and my little dog in this car! I can’t believe the used car dealership did not let me know that. Then the car starts shifting funny. Also dangerous. There should be a recall for transmission. There are over 500 people affected by this. I’m trying to enter a highway and I need to pick up speed, because there is a tractor trailer in the right lane and heavy traffic. I try to accelerate and it goes nowhere. 30mph. And that was after I merged in and have traffic going 70 behind me. Scariest thing ever. …”
NHTSA complaint #11551189, filed 2023-10Related service bulletins
- 10099960Dec 8, 2015"service bulletin - this bulletin updates the troubleshooting procedures for dtc p1456 (evap control system leakage [fuel tank system]) and dtc p1457 (evap control system…
- 10013743Sep 16, 2004Poor fuel economy. Acura tech line summary for dealer distribution.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 1 | 5% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 7 | 2% |
| 2004 | 5 | 1% |
| 2003 | 4 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 0% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 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