2003 Acura TL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
391 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
75,950 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 306 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 175 of 391 complaints (44.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 239 | 61.1% |
| Braking behavior | 36 | 9.2% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 3.6% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 1.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 1.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 0.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 175 |
| Power Train | 69 |
| Air Bags | 41 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 |
| Suspension | 12 |
| Structure:Body | 11 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 175; Power Train: 69; Air Bags: 41; Unknown Or Other: 18; Vehicle Speed Control: 14; Suspension: 12; Structure:Body: 11; Electrical System: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 52 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 41 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 57 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 54 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 71 |
| 150,000 and above | 31 |
Under 25,000: 52; 25,000 to 49,999: 41; 50,000 to 74,999: 57; 75,000 to 99,999: 54; 100,000 to 149,999: 71; 150,000 and above: 31
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (71). 85 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 29 |
| 2004 | 40 |
| 2005 | 25 |
| 2006 | 23 |
| 2007 | 18 |
| 2008 | 28 |
| 2009 | 27 |
| 2010 | 44 |
| 2011 | 19 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 24 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2002: 8; 2003: 29; 2004: 40; 2005: 25; 2006: 23; 2007: 18; 2008: 28; 2009: 27; 2010: 44; 2011: 19; 2012: 15; 2013: 12; 2014: 10; 2015: 22; 2016: 24; 2017: 14; 2018: 9; 2019: 7; 2020: 5; 2022: 6; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 239 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 36 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10007582 · 2003-02-16 (February 16, 2003)
TRANSMISSION SHUDDER AND BALKING ON NEW 2003 ACURA TLC TYPE-S
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018855 · 2003-05-17 (May 17, 2003)
TOOK DELIVERY OF NEW 2003 ACURA 3.2TL-TYPE S ON MAY 10, 2002. WAS UNAWARE THAT HONDA/ACURA HAD AN ON-GOING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SINCE MODEL YEAR 1999. TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP OVER THE PAST SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES. ON MAY 15, 2003, DEALER CONFIRMED TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND HAS ORDERED NEW TRANSMISSION. HONDA HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM SINCE THIS HAS OCCURRED IN MODEL YEARS 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 & 2003. WHILE THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS / 100K MILES, THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018855 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018858 · 2003-05-17 (May 17, 2003)
TOOK DELIVERY OF NEW ACURA 2003 3.2TL TYPE S ON MAY 10, 2002. WITH ABOUT 7,000 MILES ON VEHICLE STARTED TO NOTICE SLIGHT "SHIMMY" / "SHUTTER" WHEN APPLYING BRAKES...GREATER IMPACT AT SPEEDS 40 - 70MPH. THIS INDICATES WARPED BRAKE ROTORS. FINALLY INSISTED THAT DEALER ADDRESS ISSUE. DEALER FIRST OFFERED TO "TURN" ROTORS; I DECLINED AND ASKED THAT THEY CONTACT HONDA FOR REPLACEMENT OF ROTORS. HONDA AGREED ON, "GOOD-WILL ONE TIME BASIS." FURTURE WARRANTY COVERAGE WILL BE BY "TURNING" ROTORS. ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED AT 9,675 MILES. I…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,675 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018858 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024119 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT, BUT CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH FOOT APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. CONSUMER HAD TO PLACE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP. DEALER DIAGNOSED FAILURE OF "IAC VALVE", PART NO. 121187.*AK *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 9,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024119 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048862 · 2003-11-30 (November 30, 2003)
TWO TRANSMISSIONS IN MY 6 MONTH OLD IN MY ACURA 3.2 TL . THE FIRST FAILURE CONSISTED OF MY TRANNY LOCKING UP WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH OR MORE AND ALMOST THROWING ME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE TRANNY WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. THE SND OCCURENCE CONSISTED OF MY TRANNY LOCKING UP IN LUNCH HOUR TRAFFIC ,TRAVELING AROUND 55 CAR BEHIND ME WAS NOT PREPARED FOR THE LOCK UP SLAMMED INTO ME, POLICE REPORT AND INJURIE'S SUSTAINED THAT ARE STILL ONGOING. THIS IS A DEFFINATE SAFETY ISSUE ALWAY'S HAS BEEN ,IF A CAR STALLS ON THE HIGHWAY ,THERE IS NO QUEST…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048862 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053196 · 2004-01-14 (January 14, 2004)
VEHICLE TYPE: ACURA 3.2TL MODEL YEAR: 2003. VEHICLE PERIODICALLY FAILED TO START. VEHICLE PERIODICALLY STALLS IN TRAFFIC. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10053196 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10112274 · 2005-02-28 (February 28, 2005)
I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE STEERING FAILED. I WRESTLED THE CAR -- BRUISING MY HAND -- INTO THE TURN AND ENDED UP ON THE CURB. THE ENGINE APPARENTLY HAD STALLED, CAUSING THE STEERING FAILURE. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND GO ON MY WAY, AFTER BACKING OFF THE CURB.
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170442 · 2006-10-10 (October 10, 2006)
STEERING FAILED - STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN FREELY WITHOUT AFFECTING THE FRONT WHEELS. OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT SO THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING. A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10170442 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003531 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
MY 2003 ACURA 3.2TL WAS PUT IN SERVICE IN AUGUST, 2003. RECENTLY, THE SRS LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS NOW MAKING THE SECOND ATTEMPT TO CORRECT IT; HOWEVER, THEY ADVISED ME IN WRITING AS FOLLOWS: "ADVISED CUSTOMER NOT TO LEAVE ANY ELECTRICAL DEVICE ON PASS SEAT, WILL CAUSE LIGHT TO GO OFF" I.E., CELL PHONE IN MY WIFE'S POCKETBOOK COULD TURN SRS OFF. THIS EXPLANATION DOES NOT SEEM PLAUSIBLE. IF THE SYSTEM IS THAT SENSITIVE, IT IS NOT DEPENDABLE!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10175676 · 2006-12-09 (December 9, 2006)
AFTER HAVING MY TRANSMISSION'S SERVICED IN MY 2003 ACURA 3.2 TL TYPE-S, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN MY CAR. I HAVE HAD THE OIL JET KIT INSTALLED AND ONE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION. I AM AWAITING MY THIRD TRANSMISSION. SINCE THE WORK ON MY TRANSMISSION VARIOUS OTHER PROBLEMS HAVE SURFACED. MY ON-STAR IS CLAIMING I NO LONGER AM CAPABLE OF HAVING REMOTE DIAGNOSTICS DONE ON MY ENGINE. ALSO, MY SRS LIGHT HAS COME ON AS WELL AS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PAIRED WITH MORE SPORADIC SHIFTING. I AM CONSTANTLY GETTING THE "ERROR COD…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10175676 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116524 · 2005-04-07 (April 7, 2005)
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. BY THE TIME I HAD STOPPED THE CAR FLAMES, SMOKE & FUMES WERE FILLING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, I COULD NOT GET THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPENED, MY NEIGHBOR NOTICING THE LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING F…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10293011 · 2009-11-20 (November 20, 2009)
OUT OF THE BLUE TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SLIP FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A TRANSMISSION RECALL IN 2006 WITH 36000 MILES. DEALER INSTALLED OIL INJECTOR SAID TRANSMISSION WAS FINE. CAR HAS 82000 MILES NOW AND DEALER SAYS NEED NEW TRANSMISSION. OF COURSE VIN NUMBER IS 5000 OVER THE LIMIT OF THE TRANSMISSION EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 83,515 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293011 at NHTSA ↗