CarBrief

NHTSA has 391 owner complaints for the 2003 Acura TL, and the power train is the largest group[1][2]. The car also has 5 recalls on file, so check that every one has been done before you buy[3].

391owner complaints[1]
5recalls[3]
21MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 391 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 24 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 20 an injury[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The power train is the biggest group by a wide margin, with 246 complaints[2]. The median mileage at failure was 75,900 miles[2]. In the sample of power train complaints we read, owners describe the automatic transmission slipping, downshifting without warning, dropping out of gear, or failing outright. Several mention a transmission replacement or a warranty extension, and a few say the dealer could not reproduce the problem[2].

The other groups are much smaller:

Because the samples are small, treat these themes as examples of what owners reported, not as a measure of how often each problem happens.

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for this car[3]. Newest first:

The air bag recalls cover several Honda and Acura models, and the TL is named in each of them[12][13][14]. Ask for proof that each recall was done.

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the 3.2L 6-cylinder TL with an automatic (S5), front-wheel drive and premium fuel at 17 city, 27 highway and 21 combined MPG[4]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,900[4]. That cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Engine and size

The EPA listing is for a 3.2L 6-cylinder engine[4]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars[17][18].

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
3.2 TL 4DR SEDAN[17] 193 in 71 in 56 in 108 in 3,492 lb
3.2 TL 4DR SEDAN TYPE S[18] 193 in 71 in 56 in 108 in 3,558 lb

How 2003 compares with other years

1995: 1 complaints, 0 recalls19951996: 26 complaints, 2 recalls1997: 23 complaints, 2 recalls19971998: 20 complaints, 2 recalls1999: 157 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 249 complaints, 6 recalls2001: 149 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 333 complaints, 7 recalls2003: 391 complaints, 5 recalls39120032004: 551 complaints, 4 recalls2005: 388 complaints, 5 recalls20052006: 247 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 124 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 124 complaints, 2 recalls2009: 42 complaints, 3 recalls20092010: 64 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 20 complaints, 3 recalls20112012: 130 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 62 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 17 complaints, 3 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each TL model year. The 2003 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
199510
1996262
1997232
1998202
19991574
20002496
20011493
20023337
20033915
20045514
20053885
20062474
20071242
20081242
2009423
2010643
2011203
20121303
2013623
2014173

Among the 20 TL model years on file with NHTSA, 2003 has the second highest number of complaints at 391[3]. Only 2004 has more, with 551[3]. The 2005 model year is close behind with 388[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough guide.

For recalls, 2003 has 5[3]. The 2002 model year has 7 and 2000 has 6, while 2005 also has 5[3]. Later years such as 2007 and 2008 show 124 complaints each, and 2014 shows 17[3].

Should you buy a used 2003 TL?

The complaint file is large, and the power train accounts for 246 of the 391 complaints[1][2]. Owners in the sample we read describe transmission problems[2], so ask for service records and have the transmission checked before you buy. Confirm that all five recalls were completed, especially the three air bag inflator recalls[12][13][14]. The EPA rates the car at 21 MPG combined and it uses premium fuel[4]. If the records are clean and the recalls are done, If the records are clean and the recalls are done, the complaint history is less of a concern, but it is still a reason to inspect carefully., but the complaint history is a reason to inspect carefully.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Acura TL?
Power train is the largest complaint group, with 246 of 391 complaints[1][2]. In the sample we read, owners describe transmission slipping, downshifting and failure[2].
Does the 2003 Acura TL have recalls?
NHTSA lists five, including three driver air bag inflator recalls, a transmission recall and a timing belt tensioner recall[12][13][14][15][16].
What MPG does a 2003 Acura TL get?
The EPA rates it at 17 city, 27 highway and 21 combined MPG[4].
Is 2003 a bad year for the Acura TL?
It has the second highest complaint count of the 20 TL years, 391, behind 2004 at 551[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 391 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Acura TL (24 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 20 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 246 complaints name the power train component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Acura TL model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for 3.2TL, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 50 complaints name the air bags component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 104,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 22 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,150). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 20 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,209). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 18 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 15 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 15 complaints name the electrical system component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,836). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 14 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 19V499, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 15V320, filed May 28, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 04V176, filed April 15, 2004: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 02V226, filed August 28, 2002: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 3.2 TL 4DR SEDAN: length 193 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,492 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 3.2 TL 4DR SEDAN TYPE S: length 193 in, width 71 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,558 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.