Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

2003 Acura TL Engine problems

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 2003 Acura TL's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 6% of all its complaints, most recently on October 21, 2023. They describe 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
22
Recalls
1
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
1

Engine recalls for the 2003 Acura TL

Engine

02V22600017,551 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 a reasonable time should contact honda at 1-800-999-1009 or acura at 1-800-382-2238.

Engine complaints

Engine & coolingFuel system

This car is not safe. First, the Takata airbags are in it. I drove my daughter, my mother and my little dog in this car! I can't believe the used car dealership did not let me know that. Then the car starts shifting funny. Also dangerous. There should be a recall for transmission. There are over 500 people affected by this. I'm trying to enter a highway and I need to pick up speed, because there is a tractor trailer in the right lane and heavy traffic. I try to accelerate and it goes nowhere. 30mph. And that was...

Read the full complaint

after I merged in and have traffic going 70 behind me. Scariest thing ever. They should not be allowed to sell these cars. It is not safe for the driver and their family and it is not safe for others on the road. I can't believe the negligence. I will not be driving this death trap ever again.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11551189
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

'Tamara recall' before taking off the car had trouble going into gear. Once the car was in motion it began to have a hard shift then once I gained speed of 45 on the highway it wouldn't accelerate any more it actually started to slow down so I pulled off the road I put the car in park and heard a fast clicking noise turned the car off turned it back on tried put it in gear and it wouldn't move

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11080166
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

My car's check engine light and tcs light came on. Had my car scanned at my local obii service center and recieved code p1676. Still experiencing same problem after, I then took my car to the local honda dealership service center to get a verification of this code and saw a flyer for recalls. I review the information, (i own an acura, honda was unable to provide the recall repair service) and found that recalls pertaining to the code generated from the initial scan for when the check engine light came on pertained...

Read the full complaint

to the code. I called in reference to the recalls posted on the nhtsa.Gov website. I was informed that a recall repair for the transmission/power-train (04v176000) and timing belt (02v226000) were made to my vehicle however I am still having the same problem including excessive vibration & hesitation during acceleration especially between 50-60mph), cruise control has shut off without warning/notice while driving , and inability to pass nc emissions inspections. I contacted the nhtsa and was informed with 2 different reasons why my vehicle was not eligible for repair. (1) Vehicle batch number was not affected and then (2) the repair had already been made in feb 2005 by previous owner. All these problem started occurring after I took my car to leith acura of cary, nc for the recall on the tarkata airbags(15v320000). I have been denied safety repairs to my vehicle. Leith acura of cary, nc is requiring me to pay $131.00 Inorder to do a diagnostic scan only that I already have proof from several ase certified inspection stations (which were free of charge). I does not include the amount that may be required to fix the problem pending it is not totally a recall repair. I believe that the repair was done incorrectly or the current transmission is not the one that replaced the original transmission after the recall repair. If so, I should be allowed repairs.

Filed Incident Power train · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 10903082
SteeringEngine & cooling

Power steering pressure hose leaking and power steering pump leak. Years 2004-27 have been recalled for this; 2003should be, as well. Right engine mount and rear engine mounts cracked or broken.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 10839877
Engine & cooling

The accelerator stuck when pulling into my driveway then accelerating. The engine stuck in the accelerated mode. I had to brake with 2 feet and put the transmission in neutral, then turned the ignition to off. I was fortunate that I did not drive through the garage door. Examination of the engine's throttle body showed the breakage of the plastic cruise control "pulley" on the throttle body actuator shaft, causing the cruise control cable to hold the throttle open. The plastic part cracked at the cable retention...

Read the full complaint

notch. I have noted that other acura owners have also experienced this problem. Ref: acurazine.Com/forums/second-generation-tl-1999-2003-98/cruise-control-repair-suggestion-833196/

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10747189
Electrical systemAirbagsBody, doors & structureEngine & coolingCrash1 death

My daughter died in a accident on november 7, 2013 in the acura tl 2003. She had been telling me that it felt like the ignition was sticking and would speed up. I would check with my local mechanic and he told me acuras are known to idle high. I believe that her car problem was the cause of the accident and the police could not give me a reason for the accident. She was 19 and a senior in high school and was a good child. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · Structure · EngineNHTSA 10595989
Transmission & drivetrainAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

I was pulling off the interstate and came to a red light on a hill right before haywood road. I had to stop because the light was red and when the light turned green I pulled onto haywood road and the car went through 1st gear, 2nd gear and right before it went into 3rd it slipped out of gear and just revved to around 4000 rpm. When the car went into 3rd and started sipping I had a pile of cars that bunched on my behind. I had two guys in a truck scream and yell obscene gestures. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10585022
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Upon driving on a freeway going around 50 mph my transmission suddenly pulled my car to a quick slowing down motion as if being moved from gear down to first or second. Luckily, there were no vehicles behind me as I was in a far right line. It is an older vehicle however it is a recurring issue it appears as there was a recall on it already before. The dealerships have given me conflicting stories on the vehicle history as far repairs and recalls on the vehicle and I do wish to have the nhtsa look into the...

Read the full complaint

history of this recall as well as warn the current owners of the vehicle of this issue as I had not had a problem with the transmission since becoming the owner and was not told of the recall upon multiple visits to the dealership. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10554790
SuspensionEngine & cooling

Upon a normal recall invitation for the air bag inflator ( per manufacturer requirement) a separate normal inspection was done to vehicle. The mechanic found the front and right front motor mounts have collapsed. I know several other owners of honda and acura of the same year and suv models with the same failure.

Filed Incident Suspension · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10412828
Engine & cooling

Engine started idling at about 3000 rpm unexpectedly, could not make it stop. It was hard to control the vehicle when it would not go under 3000 rpm. Fortunately it stopped after about 10 minutes. Took to dealer, found problem was idle control mechanism on top of engine, it was replaced. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10262543
Engine & cooling

MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN. *TR

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10249830
Engine & cooling

On monday february 4, 2007 I was driving my 2003 acura tl type s and came to a stop and heard a weird noise coming from under the hood. Once traffic began to proceed the car simply would not move from first gear. I manage to pull over and let it sit for about 1-2 min. And it went into gear although sluggish. Once on the road again I proceeded about 3 miles when the car would not engage in any gear at all. I was right in front if the honda store when the second failure happened. I had the diagnostic done and come to...

Read the full complaint

find out that I am in need of a new transmission and motor mount due to over heating (from the service tech). My car was towed to the local acura dealership that notified me that I did infact need a new transmission and motor mount at a cost of approx. $3500.00. This I now find is a huge problem for acura with this model year and the automatic transmissions. I would like for acura to correct the problem and if needed recall all the cars as it poses for a serious safety issue. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10217325
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainEquipment & accessories

Multiple issues over a 2.5 Year period with a new 2003 acura 3.2 Tl type s. I have had a transmission replaced after receiving a safety recall. Secondly, the car has had an idling issue for 2.5 Years that was just recently resolved with the replacement of an engine control valve. Third, the a/c was not working properly and the compressor was replaced. Fourth, the idle air control system was bad and had to be replaced. Fifth, and most worrisome, is that I have had white smoke come from under my hood on 3 separate occasions. The acura dealership has told me they are unable to reproduce the problem and cannot assist me in resolving the issue.*Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power train · EquipmentNHTSA 10143146
Engine & cooling

While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not be duplicate the problem. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10095435
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

The transmission failed on the highway. The vehicle just stopped. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. After picking the vehicle up, the timing chain broke. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power trainNHTSA 10096818
Engine & cooling

Vehicle stalled while driving. Consumer pulled vehicle off the road. Consumer was unable to restart the vehicle, and it was towed to the dealership. The dealership inspected vehicle three times, but was unable to fix it. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10089410
Engine & cooling

Burning smell emanating from exhaust area into cabin at 9800 miles. Terrible - can smell it on the outside from 25 feet away. The stench inside the back seat of the cabin is enough to make you gag. Car is only 100 miles overdue for an oil change (3100 miles) running manufacturer recommended oil weight. Car has had trouble since I bought it - but mostly external until now (peeling paint). *Cb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10054436
Engine & cooling

Vehicle's timing belt broke resulting in engine damage. When taken to service dealer for 15,000.00 Mile checkup the dealer did not make the consumer aware of the problem. The car has been repaired since and offer a 22,000.00 Mile check up free of charge. The consumer fells that it is not enough compensation for the anguish possibility that it could have been a serious accident.*Mr *cb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10031982
Engine & cooling

Timing belt tensioner was defective. The vehicle made a "grinding" sound when driving. The dealer replaced the tensioner. *Ak the dealer thought at first, the problem was the a-pipe and replaced it. The second time the dealer thought the problem was the catalytic converter and it was replaced. The third time the timing belt tensioner was replaced, which solved the problem. *Scc *jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10024116
Engine & coolingEquipment & accessories

Consumer has problem with the heater and the air conditioner.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · EquipmentNHTSA 10026198
Engine & coolingEquipment & accessories

While driving the vehicle at the speed of 65 mph the engine stalls. Dealer mentioned that the timing belt was broke. Mr consumer stated that the cd unit was broke after a few days. The vehicle took to the dealer for repair, but the repair was not done due to back order of the cd unit. *Yh

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · EquipmentNHTSA 8020564
Engine & coolingFire

Consumer states that while waiting for an appointment to have vehicle serviced ,defect stated in recall happen.Engine caught on fire. Nlm

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8020122

Acura TL engine complaints by year

TL engine problems, every year

Had a engine problem with your 2003 TL? Tell other owners.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience