Worst 2003 Acura Tl Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Automatic Transmission
Transmission / Drivetrain
Airbags
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Acura Tl.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 175 | 5 | 1 | 67,351 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 69 | 1 | — | 115,142 mi | |
| Airbags | 41 | 7 | — | 155,213 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 14 | 4 | — | 70,296 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 12 | 2 | — | 106,885 mi | |
| Body Structure | 11 | 2 | — | 111,333 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 9 | 1 | 1 | 114,267 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 8 | 1 | — | 155,976 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 | 4 | — | 47,600 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 6 | — | — | 51,768 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 6 | 1 | 1 | 63,025 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 5 | — | — | 91,352 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | 1 | — | 153,034 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | — | — | 49,793 mi | |
| Tires:Sidewall | 5 | — | — | 16,937 mi | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Brakes | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Acura Tl. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2003 Acura Tl
3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~7,386,524 vehicles.
Honda (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 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Honda (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, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Honda (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, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Other Acura Tl Years
2003 Acura Tl — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Acura Tl reliable?
What are common problems with the 2003 Acura Tl?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Acura Tl?
How safe is the 2003 Acura Tl?
Does the 2003 Acura Tl have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2003 Acura Tl?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Acura Tl reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Acura Tl
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99