The Lemon Index
2002
20042nd generation
125 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 BMW 3 Series 782003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 452003 Lexus IS
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2003 Acura TL
- Transmission failure108 complaintsmostly at 37,000–103,000 miles (59,000–166,000 km)
- Engine stalling36 complaintsmostly at 37,000–102,000 miles (59,000–164,000 km)
- Airbag light / sensor13 complaintsmostly at 140,000–155,000 miles (225,000–249,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 391 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Acura TL (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 9,700 and 37,000 miles (16,000–59,000 km) (the middle half of the 86 complaints, of all 125 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V499000 (airbags), 19V182000 (airbags) and 15V320000 (airbags) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Acura sent dealers 187 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “V6 engine oil leaks”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Acura's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 125 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 9K to 36K miles (16K to 59K km) on the car (86 of all 125 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
While in d5 waiting to let head-on traffic go, could not complete left turn due to suddenly disengaged transmission, as if in neutral.
2003 Acura TL owner · NHTSA complaint 763799
More owner reports
Transmission shudder and balking on new 2003 Acura tlc type-s
NHTSA complaint 10007582
While driving approximately 45 mph transmission locked, causing vehicle to crash into a wall. The cause of why this happened was undetermined.
NHTSA complaint 10113296
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 187 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- V6 engine oil leaks
- Information on servicing the odometer, sport shift indicator illumination inoperative
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
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 a…
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
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 containi.
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
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 t…
Show all 5 recalls
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2004
ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADIN…
- Engine · recall issued 2002
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER H…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
- ClosedAutomatic transmission sudden downshift2002–2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Every Acura TL year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2003 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tl/?y=2003" title="Acura TL reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/acura-tl/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Acura TL reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Acura TL reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 3 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 271; 100 is average, lower is better). 2003 is one of the weaker years of a model that usually draws about half as many complaints as the average car. The Acura TL year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2003 Acura TL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (65%), speed control (10%) and engine (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Acura TL have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2003 Acura TL problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 9,700 and 37,000 miles (16,000–59,000 km) (the middle half of the 86 complaints, of all 125 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Acura TL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 65% of its owner complaints.
What Acura TL year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2000 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works