CarComplaints.com Notes: The 1999-2003 Acura TL has a known & widespread defect with the transmission.

Honda fixed some vehicles with a recall in 2004 by changing the oil cooler return line. To settle a class action lawsuit in 2006, Honda extended the transmission warranty on some of these Acura TL's to 93 months / 109,000 miles.

Now these vehicles are past the warranty limit, so buyer beware.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 1
Average Mileage:
81,487 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Acura TL seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2003 Acura TL Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #40

Oct 152022

TL

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Unknown

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #39

Mar 022020

TL

  • 264,038 miles
SRS light is

- Perris, CA, USA

problem #38

Feb 232020

TL

  • 167,000 miles
2003 Acura T.L was in motion when the vehicle started slipping on 2nd gear. Then when vehicle was stationary it would not move in reverse gear. As I was on highway the car started jerking out of control, I could not accelerate, vehicle barely wanted to move so I put it in #2 gear so it work catch and I was able to drive to safety without anyone getting hurt. Very frightening and dangerous. Problem must be addressed immediately.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #37

Mar 062019

TL

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V182000 (air bags). The contact stated that the brake light illuminated and the brakes squeaked. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Pacific Grove, CA, USA

problem #36

Nov 152019

TL

  • 100,000 miles
I need to make a complaint against american Honda motor co., Inc. This entity has been sending me letters, calling me and knocking on my door for the last two years about an airbag inflator recall. Each type they contact me I tell them I no longer own this vehicle. It was traded in over two years ago. Even though I may still be registered as the owner, I have no idea who truly owns this vehicle as it was traded in at a dealership. I filled out a vehicle transfer notice over two years ago but Honda Acura keeps contacting me about this recall on a monthly basis, to the date! someone please get them to stop or further advise me if I should just ignore their letters. Thank you!

- Duncanville, TX, USA

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problem #35

Jun 152019

TL

  • miles
"takata recall" last few digits of VIN 002098, im contacting you because we had out recall fixed over a week and the VIN still comes up as incomplete this is hindering me from starting my job with uber ive contacted homda on several occasions just teo days ago I spoke with a lady (can't remember her name) whom was extremely rude by overtalking me and became very argumentative as O tried to explain my situation and let her know that I needed Honda to update this repair with NHTSA in order to start my jon with uber, and that the paperwork would do me no justice, uber needed the update specifically in the system as repaired and not incomplete she basicly told me, it wasnt their ("Honda") problem, even tho they fixed it she said it was Acura's problem leaving me even more confused and frustrated as I've been inconveniently, and unwilling unwilling placed inn this situation, this has cist me tome and lots of money from not being able to work and not even my fault to began with. All I want is this issue to be resolved so I can start work, to top evreything off, they didn't give us any paperwork my husband was told to sign a document that the repair was fixed and he was smart enough to take a picture which I will try to attach to this complaint and I pray you are able to resolve this as quickly as possible. I also showed this document to uber and they specifically said, they could not except it because it needs to show in the system online that the recall attached to my VIN has been completed/repaired, and again unfortunately after blood sweat tears and mounts of frustration, inconvenience, and loss wages it still has not been resolved. Please help us!!

- Titusville, FL, USA

problem #34

May 282015

TL

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V320000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken to esserman international Acura (305-477-6666, located at 10455 nw 12th St suite a, doral, fl 33172) where the recall repair was performed; however, the air bag indicator flashed on and off. A couple of years later, the contact received another notification for NHTSA campaign number: 19V182000 (air bags). The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the technician stated that a diagnostic test needed to be performed at the contact's expense. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated after the initial repairs were performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was not provided.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #33

Dec 102005

TL

  • 35,000 miles
Takata recall. The airbag light is on constantly, indicating a safety alert and the need for repair.

- Wilsonville Road, OR, USA

problem #32

Jan 012017

TL

  • 140,000 miles
Takata recall passenger airbag warning light stays

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #31

Nov 172016

TL

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owned a 2003 Acura TL. While the vehicle was idling at an intersection, it was rear ended by another vehicle. As a result, the contact's vehicle rear ended the preceding vehicle. Due to the crash, the driver's seat collapsed into the back seat and fractured into two pieces. The passenger side air bag deployed, but the driver's side air bag did not. The driver's side air bag was just replaced eight months before per the takata recall. A police report was filed. The contact received medical attention for cuts under the right knee and also X-rays for his right shoulder, which located a torn right rotator cuff. Surgery was required. The vehicle was towed to an independent holding yard. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The failure mileage was 190,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Canastatoa, NY, USA

problem #30

Jun 102017

TL

  • 73,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall - other 2003 Acura TL cars are considered to be in a"high risk population"... with a very dangerous defect...risk posed by these airbag inflators is grave...it is critical they be repaired to avoid more deaths." The passenger side air bag on my car has not been repaired, nor is it on recall. My VIN number was not in your system when I had it checked. Has my car been overlooked. It had the drivers side air bag fixed in 2015, but the passenger side air bag is takata and has not been fixed. Please look into this. [xxx] I have tried to tell people about this problem. Please look into it. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Mead, WA, USA

problem #29

Feb 022017

TL

  • miles
Why not require replacement of takata airbag on passenger's side as well as for the driver's side? both would create the same hazard that stimulated the original call to replace the inflator for the driver"S side of the automobile!

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #28

Apr 082017

TL

  • 263,138 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. While driving 35 mph around a curve, the vehicle failed to brake or accelerate and the transmission seized. The steering wheel also became very difficult to turn. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and left the road. The contact crashed into an embankment and a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the hands, wrists, head, ankle, chest, and shoulder. Medical attention was required and the contact visited his physician after the crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 263,138.

- Loveland, OH, USA

problem #27

Mar 172017

TL

  • 34,000 miles
Air bag warning light is on.D5 light flashing on transmission

- Cortland, OH, USA

problem #26

Oct 012016

TL

  • 146,000 miles
Takata recall, SRS light came on in my car and my car has not been in an accident, I have had fuses checked, and nothing wrong with any of my safety equipment my light still stays on. Called Acura dealer just got the run around again and again. The vehicle was in motion when light came on street driving.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #25

Jul 052016

TL

  • miles
Honda replaced my airbag and I still get the SRS malfunction light. Acura does not want to take this safety issue and is wanting me to replace the safety components at my cost. SRS light is on and I suspect faulty seat belts. But Honda does not warranty seat belts and safety components after 10 years.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #24

Aug 012014

TL

  • miles
Takata recall I contacted Acura three times to resolve this but nobody ever calls me or writes me a letter to get the problem resolved. I live near escanaba, mi and the nearest dealership is in appleton, wi which is a four hour drive away from me or 200 miles one direction. I cannot afford to travel the distance and would like to get it repaired locally. The operators I've spoken to tell me they need to speak with their supervisors... who never come to the phone, who instead tell me they will contact me at a later date to resolve the problem... like I've stated I have never received a return phone call, voice message, or letter in the mail regarding my request... I want to get this addressed as soon as possible.

- Spalding, MI, USA

problem #23

Jun 152016

TL

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V320000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Paradise, CA, USA

problem #22

Oct 152003

TL

  • miles
Takata recall. I have received several notices to replace the air bags on my 2003 Acura. The Honda dealer 25 miles from my home will not replace it. The nearest Acura dealer is 60 miles away. Twice I have talked to your people, they attempted to set up an appointment with the Honda dealer but that has not happened. Now the government says I should not drive my car at all. As such the only option is for you to send a wrecker to pick up my vehicle, repair the airbag, and return it to me. Acura apparently built and sold a dangerous vehicle. It is not my responsibility to drive 120 miles and waste most of a day to correct your mistake.

- Sparta, KY, USA

problem #21

Jun 292016

TL

  • miles
Takata recall I don't know if this is the right forum for my complaint. But I have been dealing with Acura for 6 months trying to get my recalled airbags replaced on my 2003 Acura 2.3tl. The closest dealership to where we are stationed (husband in the navy) is 2 hours away. Acura put in a request with rick justice Honda in meridian, ms to do the repair for me, but they refused. Rick justice Honda informed me that Acura will not pay them to do the repair, Acura claims this is not the case. I have made dozens of attempts to contact Acura customer care to get this figured out. No one is able to help me, and my case manager (case 04757404) never calls me back. I have requested a rental car since it is my understanding that I absolutely should not drive my car, especially since I live in a gulf coast state. They told me I would need to drive 2 hours to pick it up since rick justice, 30 minutes from me, will not help me. I feel Acura/Honda are doing nothing to help me or insure my safety. I feel rick justice Honda should be able to do the repairs since Acura and Honda are virtually the same!

- Lauderdale, MS, USA

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