Model year guide

2003 Acura RL

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Acura RL is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

2003 Acura RL at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints14

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Acura RL recalls 1

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #20V027000 · 17/01/2020

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Ce…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Acura RL common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

2003 Acura RL trims & engines on record

Trims
3.5
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl 225 hp

2003 Acura RL vehicles on record

2003 Acura RL 3.5JH4KA96503C001695 2003 Acura RL 3.5JH4KA96553C001823 2003 Acura RL 3.5JH4KA96573C001015

Other Acura RL model years

2012 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

2003 Acura RL — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Acura RL have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2003 Acura RL. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Acura RL?

Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, tires, electrical system.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.