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Model Year Problem Record

Acura TL 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Acura TL: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

391Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
7Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
41Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Power Train250 complaints

250 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V176000.

Air Bags51 complaints

51 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 15V320000, 19V182000, 19V499000.

Vehicle Speed Control22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine22 complaints

22 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V226000.

Unknown Or Other18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

02V226000Reported August 28, 2002 - 17,551 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on August 28, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 17,551 vehicles across all affected models.

04V176000Reported April 15, 2004 - 1,099,796 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on April 15, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 1,099,796 vehicles across all affected models.

15V320000Reported May 28, 2015 - 6,281,043 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on May 28, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 6,281,043 vehicles across all affected models.

19V182000Reported March 6, 2019 - 1,101,534 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on March 6, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 1,101,534 vehicles across all affected models.

19V499000Reported June 27, 2019 - 3,947 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on June 27, 2019. The campaign covers an estimated 3,947 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA15001Opened February 24, 2015 - Open

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 14V668.

EA15001Opened February 24, 2015 - Open

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 14V668.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA21002Opened September 17, 2021 - Open

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE02081Opened October 28, 2002 - Closed March 5, 2003

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE14016Opened June 11, 2014 - Closed March 2, 2015

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 13V172000.

PE14016Opened June 11, 2014 - Closed March 2, 2015

Air Bag Inflator Rupture. Resulted in recall campaign 13V172000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20028
200329
200440
200525
200623
200718
200828
200927
201044
201119
201215
201312
201410
201522
201624
201714
20189
20197
20205
20226
20233
20242
20251
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.