Model year guide

2003 Acura TL

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Acura TL is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 130 on record.

2003 Acura TL — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Acura TL at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints397
Typical price$2,780

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

2003 Acura TL recalls 5

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #19V182000 · 06/03/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgelin…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer ser…

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #19V499000 · 27/06/2019

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service…

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #15V320000 · 28/05/2015

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible …

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles tha…

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #02V226000 · 28/08/2002

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 HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN…

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #04V176000 · 15/04/2004

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 LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Fix: ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPE…

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 TL common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 397 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
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.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
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.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

What's a 2003 Acura TL worth?

Low
$1,300
Typical price
$2,780
High
$4,050

From 129 comparable 2003 Acura TL listings.

2003 Acura TL trims & engines on record

Trims
3.2 · 3.2 Type-S · Type-S
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl 225 hp · 3.2L 6-cyl 260 hp

2003 Acura TL vehicles on record

2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56653A014368 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56663A003721 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56623A089609 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA566X3A007867 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56653A083223 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S19UUA56993A043396 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56613A030695 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S19UUA56873A066389 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56693A048796 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56603A044331 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S19UUA56843A023127 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56793A043588 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56623A052107 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56683A028636 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S19UUA56943A068111 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56603A072355 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56633A054657 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S19UUA56833A016217 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56613A007465 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S19UUA56943A051163 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S19UUA56843A081318 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56693A024207 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.219UUA56693A056882 2003 Acura TL 2003 Acura TL 3.2 Type-S19UUA56863A086780

Other Acura TL model years

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996

2003 Acura TL — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Acura TL have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2003 Acura TL. 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 TL?

Based on 397 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, air bags, structure.

How much is a 2003 Acura TL worth?

Comparable 2003 Acura TL listings run roughly $1,300–$4,050, typically around $2,780 (from 129 vehicles).

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