How many problems does the 2003 ACURA TL have?

The 2003 ACURA TL currently has 397 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2003 ACURA TL?

The most common problems reported for the 2003 ACURA TL are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2003 ACURA TL problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2003 ACURA TL comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

2003 ACURA TL Problems

POWER TRAIN

214 complaints

Driving on Highway going 65mph vehicle suddenly jerked and dropped to 20 mph. Causing my entire body to collide with the steering wheel. Luckily there no cars behind me. Was on my way to work when this happened too far from home. So when I got at work which is thirty minutes from where I live I had to get a tow truck to get my car home. That’s how bad it was. My mom had this car for about ten years. I’ve had it now for three years. Never had this problem before. We’ve had the car in the family for almost fifteen years. Only thing that’s had to change was a power steering line and front shocks. Almost sold it last week and I’m glad I didn’t. Has over 230,000 so I’m not upset. Just a bit sad that this happened to my TL. Needs A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valves A B.

Jan 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to shift from second gear to third gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the RMP’s revved up but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

May 10, 2023

The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and hesitated to accelerate. The check engine, third and fourth gear, ESP fault, and VSA system warning lights were illuminated. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle with a code reader and the code P1750 appeared. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Mar 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle then lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Mar 18, 2022

Unknown but transmission is slipping in and out of gear even while going down the road

Feb 21, 2022

+ 209 more complaints for this component

AIR BAGS

40 complaints

This complaint relates to safety recall campaigns work regarding my 2003 Acura TL car's SRS (air bags). I took my car to the Acura Service Center in Guaynabo, PR, for recall related repairs at various times during 2022 and 2023. The last time was [XXX]. The PROBLEM is that the Acura center's initial recall-related repair may have been faulty, thus causing the SRS warning light to turn on and stay on while I drive the car. The SRS warning came on a few days after the initial Acura service was performed. I was told during the second visit that they just had to reset something in the car's computer to turn off the SRS warning. But the SRS warning light would turn on again a few days after each service visit. The last time I took the car to Acura regarding this problem was on [XXX]. At that time, I requested a thorough diagnosis of the SRS problem. After that visit , the Acura service center sent me a video of the inspection work performed. However, that video and the $144.95 invoice paid, do not show that any SRS diagnosis work was done. They just did a "multi point" car mechanical condition inspection. Regarding the SRS problem, they again turned off the SRS warning light but did not indicate that in the video or the invoice. A few days later, the SRS warning came back on again. I called the national Honda HQ offices in the California, a few months ago. I expressed my frustration with the Acura dealer's failure to resolve this safety problem. They told me that they could not do anything, that I have to go back to the Acura dealer in PR (something that I already did, various times.) This is why I am now submitting this complaint to NHTSA. I present this complaint as a failure of the Acura corporation to satisfactorily perform the SRS safety recall work. They must re-do the work adequately on my Acura TL 2003 automobile. Please help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Sep 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the front driver's side air bag PODS control unit and sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that he contacted the manufacturer who confirmed that there was a manufacturer recall for the front driver's side PODS control unit and sensor. The VIN was included in the recall however, the vehicle was not serviced under the recall because the recall had expired. The contact stated that the manufacturer representative stated that the PODS control unit and sensor recall should have been remedied under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V182000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000.

Jan 24, 2022

SRS LIGHT IS ON

Mar 02, 2020

I NEED TO MAKE A COMPLAINT AGAINST AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. THIS ENTITY HAS BEEN SENDING ME LETTERS, CALLING ME AND KNOCKING ON MY DOOR FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS ABOUT AN AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL. EACH TYPE THEY CONTACT ME I TELL THEM I NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE. IT WAS TRADED IN OVER TWO YEARS AGO. EVEN THOUGH I MAY STILL BE REGISTERED AS THE OWNER, I HAVE NO IDEA WHO TRULY OWNS THIS VEHICLE AS IT WAS TRADED IN AT A DEALERSHIP. I FILLED OUT A VEHICLE TRANSFER NOTICE OVER TWO YEARS AGO BUT HONDA ACURA KEEPS CONTACTING ME ABOUT THIS RECALL ON A MONTHLY BASIS, TO THE DATE! SOMEONE PLEASE GET THEM TO STOP OR FURTHER ADVISE ME IF I SHOULD JUST IGNORE THEIR LETTERS. THANK YOU!

Nov 18, 2019

"TAKATA RECALL" LAST FEW DIGITS OF VIN 002098, IM CONTACTING YOU BECAUSE WE HAD OUT RECALL FIXED OVER A WEEK AND THE VIN STILL COMES UP AS INCOMPLETE THIS IS HINDERING ME FROM STARTING MY JOB WITH UBER IVE CONTACTED HOMDA ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS JUST TEO DAYS AGO I SPOKE WITH A LADY (CAN'T REMEMBER HER NAME) WHOM WAS EXTREMELY RUDE BY OVERTALKING ME AND BECAME VERY ARGUMENTATIVE AS O TRIED TO EXPLAIN MY SITUATION AND LET HER KNOW THAT I NEEDED HONDA TO UPDATE THIS REPAIR WITH NHTSA IN ORDER TO START MY JON WITH UBER, AND THAT THE PAPERWORK WOULD DO ME NO JUSTICE, UBER NEEDED THE UPDATE SPECIFICALLY IN THE SYSTEM AS REPAIRED AND NOT INCOMPLETE SHE BASICLY TOLD ME, IT WASNT THEIR ("HONDAS") PROBLEM, EVEN THO THEY FIXED IT SHE SAID IT WAS ACURA'S PROBLEM LEAVING ME EVEN MORE CONFUSED AND FRUSTRATED AS I'VE BEEN INCONVENIENTLY, AND UNWILLING UNWILLING PLACED INN THIS SITUATION, THIS HAS CIST ME TOME AND LOTS OF MONEY FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO WORK AND NOT EVEN MY FAULT TO BEGAN WITH. ALL I WANT IS THIS ISSUE TO BE RESOLVED SO I CAN START WORK, TO TOP EVREYTHING OFF, THEY DIDN'T GIVE US ANY PAPERWORK MY HUSBAND WAS TOLD TO SIGN A DOCUMENT THAT THE REPAIR WAS FIXED AND HE WAS SMART ENOUGH TO TAKE A PICTURE WHICH I WILL TRY TO ATTACH TO THIS COMPLAINT AND I PRAY YOU ARE ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. I ALSO SHOWED THIS DOCUMENT TO UBER AND THEY SPECIFICALLY SAID, THEY COULD NOT EXCEPT IT BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO SHOW IN THE SYSTEM ONLINE THAT THE RECALL ATTACHED TO MY VIN HAS BEEN COMPLETED/REPAIRED, AND AGAIN UNFORTUNATELY AFTER BLOOD SWEAT TEARS AND MOUNTS OF FRUSTRATION , INCONVENIENCE, AND LOSS WAGES IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE HELP US!!

Jun 21, 2019

+ 35 more complaints for this component

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

13 complaints

SUMMER OF 2014 I CAN TO A STOP LIGHT AT A COMPLETE STOP. MY TL TYPE S KEPT IDLE AT 3500 - 3700 RPM. DROVE THE CAR ABOUT QUARTER OF A MILE BEFORE HAVING TO SHUT OF THE ENGINE. THAT FIX THE PROBLEM FOR THE TIME BEING. THIS WOULD HAPPEN 2-5 TIMES A WEEK FOR THREE WEEKS UNTIL I FIGURED OUT THE CAUSE. COME TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AT THE THROTTLE THAT WAS GETTING STUCK. EVENTUALLY JUST UNHOOKED THE CABLE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. HASN'T BEEN FIX SINCE.

Oct 15, 2016

2003 ACURA TL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER A FEW MORE MILES. BOTH OF THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED FROM BRAKING. THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD BROKEN AND WEDGED THE THROTTLE PLATE OPEN.

Jun 17, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AS IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000.

Nov 23, 2012

TRANSMISSION BROKE ON 2003 ACURA TL S. SUCKS AS I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED N MAINTAINED SERVICES. *TR

Dec 08, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE ACCELERATOR WOULD REPEATEDLY GET STUCK, WHICH CAUSED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE ACCELERATOR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RESURFACED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS INSTALLED TOO TIGHTLY. HE THEN RE-INSTALLED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE REPAIR REMEDIED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. UPDATED 12/07/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE ACCELERATOR UNDER THE HOOD. THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS ADJUSTED. UPDATED 12/09/09.*JB

Nov 05, 2009

+ 8 more complaints for this component

TIRES

11 complaints

PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE THIS MORNING, I NOTICED MY CAR WAS MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT DISAPPEARED PROMPTLY AS I EXITED THE GARAGE AND PULLED OUT ONTO THE STREET, AND I FIGURED IT WAS SIMPLY DUE TO THE CHILLY WEATHER, WITH IT BEING ABOUT 25F OUTSIDE. ABOUT 5 MILES DOWN THE FREEWAY, I NOTICED THE CLUNKING SOUND CAME BACK, AND WAS QUITE VIOLENT THIS TIME, AND I STARTED TO SMELL BURNING RUBBER. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, HOPING TO EASE MY WAY TO THE NEAREST SERVICE STATION TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG; HOWEVER, MY CAR DID NOT MAKE IT. I GOT OUT AND INSPECTED ALL SIDES, AND THAT'S WHEN I SAW THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE, AND THERE WERE CHUNKS OF TIRE ON THE ROAD. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AT THE LAST VISIT TWO MONTHS AGO, THERE STILL HAD BEEN .7 CM LEFT OF TREAD, AND WHAT THEY TOLD ME WAS PLENTY TO DRIVE ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME. TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, I REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE, AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET NEW TIRES TOMORROW. *TR

Dec 01, 2008

BOUGHT NEW MICHELIN TIRES IN FEB 2008 FROM COSTCO STORES, HACKSCROSS ROAD, MEMPHIS TIRE: SIZE 205/60R16 92V MADE IN 2007. IN USE FOR 2,500 MILES. REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEW FROM THE SIDE WALL WHILE DRIVING IN INTERSTATE. THE ENTIRE SIDE WALL CAME OUT AS A DONUT. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. NO INJURY. CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIRE QUALITY OF MICHELIN TIRES. PLEASE ADVICE. CONTACT MR. PERRYADOLPUS AUTOMOTIVE MANAGER AT COSTCO PHONE 901 214 0071; WHO INSPECTED THE DEFECTIVE TIRE AND MENTIONED THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. A NEW TIRE WAS INSTALLED. GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DURABILITY OF THE OTHER NEW MICHELIN TIRES INSTALLED AT THE SAME TIME IN MY 2003 ACURA TL VEHICLE. MILEAGE 67,000. *TR

Jun 06, 2008

PREMATURE TIRE TREAD WEAR. *JB

Jan 19, 2006

TIRE FAILURE. SECOND TIRE FAILURE ON THE SAME WHEEL, ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITHIN 4 MONTHS OF EACH FAILURE.

Jun 04, 2005

FAULTY NO BENT OR SCRATCHED ON RIM. SHOULD BE REIMBURSE FOR TIRE. *BF THE VEHICLE TIRE HAD A RIP IN THE INSIDE WALL. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO BE REIMBURSED. *TC

Nov 15, 2004

+ 6 more complaints for this component

STRUCTURE

10 complaints

This complaint is in regards to the 2003 Acura model TL, which is made by Honda and seems to have a notorious car frame rust/rot problem due to designing the AC compressor drain line to dump water directly onto the cars front subframe/engine cradle causing it/them to be compromised to a serious extent that could lead to major injury and or death if not spotted and dealt with. All complaints clearly indicate the problem is on the right/passenger side of certain Hondas and Acuras in the early 2000's. There is no major issues in regards to driver side frame rott. How is that? Because it's a problem created by a variable located there and that is explained here in this complaint. By the grace of God, I had a sway bar link issue making a ticking noise and asked my mechanic to get It onto the lift a take a look. He told me that I should, "Drive it home, park it and start looking for another car. Put it this way, if you were to hit a bad pothole you could have been in a serious situation." Honda has had an innumerable amt of complaints regarding the same issue and it should have been recalled and redirected the drain line, and ppl suffering this issue should have been compensated for the repair (if even possible to do). I will attach photos if permitted to show the extent of the rust on the front frame of the vehicle. Sad nobody has done anything to remedy this. Disgusting.

Aug 28, 2022

******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE THE CONSUMER PLACED THE REQUEST.*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******

Jul 22, 2018

THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME HAS RUST DAMAGE. THE DRIVER SIDE SUBFRAME DOES NOT HAVE RUST DAMAGE. THE RUST DAMAGE IS OCCURRING FROM THE TOP OF THE FRAME, CAUSED BY THE AIR CONDITIONER DRAINAGE LINE DRIPPING ON TOP OF THE FRAME. ACURA DEALERSHIPS ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE OF THE OLDER VEHICLES COMING INTO SHOPS WITH THIS DEFECT. THE 2000 HONDA ACCORD HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS REPORTED IN 2009. SO FAR MY CAR HAS NOT FALLEN APART, AND WILL SOON HAVE PROBLEM REPAIRED. I EXPECT HONDA/ACURA TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND REPAIR/RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. REFERENCE THE CHANNEL 5 INVESTIGATIONS IN CLEVELAND OHIO ON YOU TUBE FOR HONDA RUST PROBLEM.

Jul 05, 2018

SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT. $2600 TO REPAIR. GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE. UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND THE ROOT CAUSE IS KNOWN. UNBELIEVABLE THAT SUCH A LARGE AND SUPPOSEDLY REPUTABLE MANUFACTURER CAN NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DESIGN FLAW. LAST ACURA OR HONDA I WILL EVER PURCHASE.

Dec 19, 2017

CLEAR COAT IS PEELING OFF OF THE TRUNK, SIDES OF THE CAR, AND ROOF.

Mar 11, 2016

+ 5 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

10 complaints

BY ACCIDENT, I AM ABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WITH THE TRANSMISSION STILL IN GEAR. CAMPAIGN #10V364000 COVERS HONDA VERSION OF MY CAR, #12V573000 COVERS ACURA MDX ONLY, NOTHING FOR MY ACURA VERSION OF THE HONDA SEDANS.

Sep 09, 2016

INTERLOCK OPERATION OF IGNITION SWITCH DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY ALLOWING IGNITION KEY TO BE TURNED OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO "PARK." THIS IS THE SAME DEFECT DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 05V025000, ALTHOUGH THAT CAMPAIGN WAS FOR ACURA TL MODEL YEARS 1999-2000, AND DID NOT INCLUDE MODEL YEAR 2003. I HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WHERE THE CAR ROLLED BACK AFTER I EXITED THE VEHICLE REQUIRING THAT I OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR, JUMP INTO THE CAR WHILE IN MOTION AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR DEFECTS THAT HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURIES AND DEATHS. I REPORTED THIS TO ACURA TODAY (CASE NO. 05011338) BUT WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRIOR RECALL AND NO REPAIRS WOULD BE COVERED BY ACURA.

Sep 02, 2016

CAN REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN D (DRIVE). *TR

Nov 08, 2013

A ROUTINE SERVICE DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED HIGH RESISTANCE POINTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH DUE TO THE CONDITION OF THE SOLDER JOINTS IN THE SWITCH. THE HIGHER CURRENT DRAW IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISOR WHETHER THERE WAS A RECALL IN EFFECT FOR THE SWITCH, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT AT THE PRESENT TIME. REPLACEMENT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. *JS

Jun 08, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONER, IT DID NOT DISPENSE ANY AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT WIRING HARNESS BURNED WHICH CAUSED THE BLOWER TO FAIL. THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE BLOWER WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 158,000.

Jul 05, 2011

Fire: 1

+ 5 more complaints for this component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

9 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY RETAINED STEAM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOE RIZZA ACURA (LOCATED AT 8150 W 159TH ST, ORLAND PARK, IL 60462, (708) 403-7770) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHT UNITS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE INTERMITTENTLY OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

Jun 21, 2019

DESPITE REPLACING VERY EXPENSIVE BULB TWICE, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BURNS THE LIGHTS OUT WITHIN MINUTES. THE ELECTRIC CHECK REVEALED THAT IT WILL COST OVER $600 TO REPLACE THIS ENTIRE LIGHT BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN FLAW.

Jul 11, 2017

2003 ACURA TL. CONSUMER STATES HEADLIGHT FAILURE. CONSUMER ATTRIBUTES FAILURE TO A MANUFACTURING/DESIGN FLAW *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHIN THE SAME YEAR DUE TO A FAULTY INVERTER WHICH WAS VERY EXPENSIVE. THE INVERTER WAS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE HEADLIGHT PERFORMANCE. *JB

Feb 25, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WATER ENTERED INTO THE HOUSING OF HIS HEADLIGHTS, LEAKED DOWN INTO THE BALANCE AND BLEW THE BULB. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.

Dec 20, 2010

I AM A CLAIM REPRESENTATIVE FOR NATIONWIDE INSURANCE. OUR INSURED, JOHN MIHOLIC'S SON, WAS DRIVING THE 2003 ACURA 3.2TL AT NIGHT. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE RIGHT FRONT END OF HIS VEHICLE. A CAUSE AND ORIGIN REPORT CONDUCTED BY LANGE TECHNICAL SERVICE INDICATED THAT DUE TO THE IMPACT, THE IGNITION OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS FORM THE HIGH INTENSITY HEAD LAMP BULB THAT WAS DISPLACED CAUSED THE FIRE WHICH TOTALED OUT THE VEHICLE. *JB

Jun 03, 2004

Crash: 1

Fire: 1

Injuries: 1

+ 4 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

9 complaints

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

Mar 20, 2009

MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN. *TR

Nov 25, 2008

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 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

Feb 07, 2008

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT BE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Dec 08, 2004

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

Aug 23, 2004

+ 4 more complaints for this component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

7 complaints

It's like when my transmission gets warmed up the RPM's will rev up and then it will come out of gear. Then I have to pull over put it in park and turn the car off. Let it sit for a minute or two then it will drive fine for 10 to 15 minutes before doing it again.

Jul 12, 2025

THE LEFT REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE.

Jul 06, 2016

FOR SOME TIME, THE INTERLOCK DEVICE HAS NOT BEEN WORKING AND IT ALLOWS ME TO REMOVE MY KEY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR. THIS HAS ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY ON HILLS.

Sep 01, 2015

IN 2006 I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2003 ACURA TL TYPES VEHICLE...THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 53,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE....I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN 2008 IT ONLY HAD 103,000 MILES THEN...NOW 2015 I NEED.ANOTHER TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 165,000 MILES ON IT NOW...I SEE WHERE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION IN 2004 I DIDN'T HAVE THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO ABOUT THIS.

Jul 29, 2015

SRS LIGHT CAME AND WONT GO OFF. CAN I GO TO A HONDA DEALER NEAR ME AND HAVE PROBLEM FIX ASAP.

Jan 22, 2015

+ 2 more complaints for this component

SUSPENSION

6 complaints

REAR SUBFRAME RUSTED

Sep 11, 2020

THE FRAME THAT SUPPORTS THE ENGINE IS RUSTING OUT!....IT ONLY SOUNDED LIKE A SQUEAK...BUT THE ISSUE IS WAY BIGGER THAN ANTICIPATED...IT ONLY MAKES A SOUND WHEN BACKING UP OR TURNING....OTHER PARTS RELATED TO THE FRAME ARE ALSO AFFECTED.

Oct 23, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME AS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 1/12/16 *CN

Oct 19, 2015

I HAVE ENCOUNTERED AN UNSAFE CONDITION ON MY 2003 ACURA TL (MADE BY HONDA). THIS CONDITION WAS SHOWN TO ME BY MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE THE FRONT PASSENGER CROSS FRAME MEMBER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH (PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST). THE CONDITION WAS FOUND AFTER 96,746 MILES DURING A REPAIR AFTER A ROUTINE OIL CHECK. THE APPARENT CAUSE IS THE HOSE LINE CONNECTED TO THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IS POSITIONED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT LEAKS ONTO THE SUB-FRAME, CAUSING IT TO RUST OUT. THE COST FOR THE FRAME REPAIR WAS $ 2,052.970, BUT WHAT IS MORE DISTURBING IS THAT I WAS DRIVING THIS CAR WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN AND FAMILY UNDER THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONDITION. ALSO, DISTURBING IS TO KNOW THERE MAY BE OTHER CARS WITH THE SAME ISSUE BEING DRIVEN TODAY. *TR

Mar 30, 2014

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HIS 2003 ACURA 3.2 TL AT 63000 FAILURE MILAGE AT 30 MPH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED. THE DRIVER STEERED THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THERE HAD BEEN NO DIAGNOSIS AS TO THE FAILURE , AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

Mar 02, 2007

+ 1 more complaint for this component

POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

6 complaints

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL. CAUSED CAR TO LOSE ACCELERATION, NEARLY GOT REAR ENDED WHILE PULLING OFF THE ROAD TO SAFETY. INITIAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 23,000 MILES. THIS IS THE 2ND TRANSMISSION FAILING WITH ONLY 116,000 MILES ON IT. DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. *TR

Sep 23, 2010

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) ACURA 2003 3.2TL COMMON TRANSMISSION FAILURE CODES PO740 AND PO730. SHIFTS ERRATICALLY LIKE MILLIONS OF OTHERS. VIN # IS NOT ON THE LIST. WE HAVE LEARNED THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IN. HONDA CITY IN WISCONSIN - DEALER SCAMMED US. CARFAX DID NOT LIST THE REPAIR!!! DEALER IS TELLING US TO DRIVE IT IN AND RISK OUR LIVES!!! !!! THE DEALER SHOULD DRIVE IT HIMSELF. HONDA CORPORATE IS NOT TAKING ANY ACTION. 1-800-422-2872 AMANDA CASE # [XXX] . WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT NOT TAKING ACTION !!! *TR

Jun 02, 2010

WAS TRAVELING ON I-20 WITH FAMILY AND TRANSMISSION IN 2003 ACURA TYPE S JUST BLEW OUT WITH NO WARNING TRAVELING SEVENTY MILES AN HOUR. COASTED TO SIDE OF INTERSTATE AND HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH CAR FURTHER OUT OF HARMS WAY. HOT TRANSMISSION FLUID CREATED SMOKE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND LEFT US STRANDED SIXTY MILES FROM HOME. NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED IN THIS VEHICLE IN 2007 AT DEALERSHIP WITH 50,000 MILES ON IT AND NOW IT GOES OUT AGAIN WITH ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER WOULD ONLY GIVE TEN PERCENT TOWARDS GOODWILL FIX PAID THIRTY TWO HUNDRED OUT OF POCKET. THIS YEAR AND MODEL WAS INVOLVED IN A LAWSUIT IN CALIFORNIA BUT THE VIN NUMBER ON MY CAR AS WELL AS NUMEROUS OTHERS WAS NOT INCLUDED BUT SHOULD WELL HAVE BEEN. ACURA SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THIS IS A WEAK PRODUCT BUT THAT WAS PUTTING IT MILDLY AFTER GETTING ON THE INTERNET AND READING ALL THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ON THIS EXACT MODEL AND YEAR ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE STILL DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACE BY HONDA FOR FREE. CONSUMERS ARE TRADING AND GETTING RID OF THE CARS BECAUSE THEY FEEL THEY ARE A SAFETY THREAT TO THEIR FAMILY. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING US TO A GRADUATION WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND IT SCARED HER TO DEATH HAPPENING AT THAT SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS PRODUCT IS WELL DOCUMENTED AS BEING A PIECE OF CRAP BUT CONSUMERS LIKE ME HAVE NO RECOURSE BUT SUFFER THE LOSS AND HOPE FOR THE BEST OUT OF THE NEXT TRANSMISSION. WHEN PEOPLE HAVE TO PUT THREE AND FOUR TRANSMISSIONS IN A CAR WITH A HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES ON IT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO STEP IN AND PROTECT THE CONSUMERS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT DIFFERENCE WAS MADE DURING THE VIN NUMBER ON MY CAR AND SAME MODELS BEFORE IT THAT WERE COVERED UNDER THE LAWSUIT. EVIDENTLY THE SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS STILL EXISTED IN ALL THESE MODELS. JUST READ ALL THE THREADS ON WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/ACURA/TL/R71264/COMMENTS. *TR

May 31, 2010

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED ALMOST INTO NEUTRAL AND HAS PROGRESSED TO GET WORSE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUN FOR A FEW MOMENTS AND THEN NOT MOVE AT ALL UNTIL IT SITS FOR 20-30 MINUTES. I HAVE CONTACTED ACURA AND MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THE RECALL DONE SO I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY KIND OF WARRANTY ON THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD NO. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THEN 70,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD ALL MAINTENANCE MAINTAINED ON IT. UPON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I'M APPARENTLY NOT THE ONLY OWNER WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR POSSIBLY LOOSE THEIR LIFE IF THE MANUFACTURE DOES NOT FIX THESE PROBLEMS. MY FIRST ENCOUNTER I WAS EXCHANGING FROM ONE MAJOR HIGHWAY TO ANOTHER AND BECAUSE MY CAR ACCELERATED AND THEN STOPPED IF I WOULDN'T HAVE GONE OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER, WHO KNOWS WHERE I WOULD BE TODAY. *TR

Apr 09, 2009

I WAS DRIVING FROM OSSINING, NY TO TAKOMA PARK , MD , 260 MILES ON I95 WHEN AT 70 MPH SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE TACHOMETER WENT UP TO 7000 RPMS. I WAS USING CRUISE CONTROL. I IMMEDIATELY TOUCHED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO RELEASE THE CRUISE CONTROL. HOWEVER, I HAD NO POWER FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO COAST TO THE RIGHT SIDE SHOULDER FROM THE LEFT MOST LANE OF THE HIGHWAY AND CALL ONSTAR. APPARENTLY THE TRANSMISSION HAD BLOWN, AND ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY AND THE SHOULDER WHERE I EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT NO COST TO ME. HOWEVER, I WAS 160 MILES FROM HOME. THIS WAS THE SECOND NEW TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED IN THIS VEHICLE- ONCE AT 77000 MILES AND NOW AT 10700 MILES. *AK

Apr 10, 2007

+ 1 more complaint for this component

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 complaints

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK 2003 ACURA TL TO (2) LOCAL AUTO PARTS STORE (ADVANCE AUTO PARTS AND AUTOZONE) TO HAVE IT SCANNED USING THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS PROVIDED BY TECHNICIANS ON SITE. WAS GIVEN AN EXACT RECALL DIAGNOSTIC ERROR CODE (A/T. WHEN I CALL THE RECALL CENTER THEY SAID THAT THIS REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE IN 2005. THIS OBVIOUSLY COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE PROPERLY. I CALLED AGAIN WHEN I STARTED HAVING OTHER PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR INCLUDING HESISTATION DURING ACCELARATION . THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE'S "BATCH" NUMBER WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. I CALLED MY LOCAL ACURA DEALER (LEITH ACURA IN CARY,NC) TO GET AN ESTIMATE OF THE REPAIRS WHICH WAS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE THE "OFFICIAL DIAGNOSTIC TEST" WHICH WAS $131.00 ALONE. THEN WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE TEST EVEN THOUGH I ALREADY HAD 2 SCAN REPORTS FROM MY LOCAL RETAIL STORE B/C THE STORE ONLY SCANS ONLY GAVE A "GENERAL" SCAN AND THAT THEIR SCAN WAS MORE SPECIFIC. I ASKED HOW CAN IT BE MORE SPECIFIC WHEN IT SHOWS THE EXACT RECALL DESCRIPTION. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT IF THAT WAS THE CASE THEN I WOULD BE REIMBURSED. .

Jul 31, 2016

RECENTLY PURCHASED AN 03 ACURA TL. 64000 MILES AT TIME OF PURCHASE. I DRIVE IT USING THE SLAP STICK AND MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. I NOTICE WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEARS, AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH THE CAR SEEMS TO JERK, OR JUMP IN THE FRONT END. ALSO BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEARS. DEPENDING ON HOW FAST I ACCELERATE AND CHANGE THE GEARS, SOMETIMES THERE IS MORE JERKING...AT LOWER SPEEDS....AND LESS JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING AT A FASTER RATE. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 76000 MILES ON IT AND I AM CONCERNED THERE ARE GOING TO BE TRANSMISSION ISSUES SOON. THIS IS MY SECOND ACURA TL, THE FIRST ONE HAVING OVER 205K MILES WITH NO ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION, THAT WAS REPLACED BY DEALER @ 55K. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE WITH THIS ISSUE THAT I AM NOT AWARE OF. THERE ARE NO OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. DID I MISS THE RECALL CUT OFF DATE, WAS THERE NEVER RECALL, OR DID ACURA MISS GROUP OF VIN #S? IF THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY CONCERN, FROM ACURA, THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCTS, CORRECT THE "KNOWN ISSUES" WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS, FOR THERE DRIVERS TO BE SAFE, SO THEY ARE THERE FOR FUTURE PURCHASES.

Jun 25, 2016

MY 2003 ACURA TL HAS ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO THE TOYOTA PROBLEM. TWO YEARS AGO IT STUCK TWICE AND THE VEHICLE REACHED SPEEDS UP TO 90 MPH BEFORE I COULD STOP IT BY PUTTING BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND DOWNSHIFTING IT. I REALLY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TESTED IT AND SAID IT WAS PROBABLY A BAD TRANSMISSION SO THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT AT THAT TIME. A MONTH AGO THE SAME THING OCCURRED. AGAIN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE TRANSMISSION HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT WITHOUT THE WARRANTY PEOPLE ACTUALLY SEEING IT MALFUNCTION. THEY CHARGED MY $110 AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I AM AFRAID TO RIDE IN THE VEHICLE, MY WIFE AND CO-WORKERS WILL NOT RIDE IN THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO BUY A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE AND NOW CANNOT SELL THIS ONE IN GOOD CONSCIENCE. I AM GOING TO ASK THE DEALER TO TAKE IT BACK AND GIVE ME FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR THE VEHICLE. THEY CAN DO WITH IT WHAT THEY WANT. WHAT OTHER ALTERNATIVES DO I HAVE? TW*

Jan 28, 2010

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING AN ACURA 3.2TL AUTO TRANSMISSION. *TS *JB

Jul 11, 2006

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

4 complaints

BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY A STICKY FLOAT IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH ANEW DESIGN THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THE ISSUE. *TR

Oct 28, 2007

WE HAVE AN '03 MDX WITH JUST ABOUT 6K MILES ON IT. AROUND 4.2K WE STARTED NOTICING THE THUD. MOSTLY JUST WHEN WE'RE BREAKING. SO TODAY MY WIFE GOES IN AND THEY ARE NICE ABOUT IT, BUT SAY IT'S "JUST THE WAY THE MDX IS..." THEY GIVE HER SOME "SERVICE NEWS" BULLETIN THAT SAYS: "SOME BRAKE CLICK IS NORMAL - ON ANY ACURA VEHICLE, CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER BRACKETS AND THE ENDS OF THE BRAKE PAD BACKING PLATES CAN CAUSE THE PADS TO HIT THE CALIPER BRACKETS WHEN YOU FIRST APPLY THE BRAKES IN A NEW DIRECTION OF TRAVEL (FOR EXAMPLE: BACKING UP, APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEN DRIVING FORWARD AND APPLYING THE BRAKES). THE CLICKING YOU HEAR IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM; THE CLEARANCE IS THERE TO ALLOW FOR HEAT EXPANSION AN / OR CORROSION OF THE PADS." THIS HAS GOT TO BE BS IN THE CASE OF THE CLUNK / THUD NOISE. I'VE GOT TWO FRIENDS WITH MDX'S AND NO [XXX] NOISE... ANYONE CARE TO COMMENT? I'M CONSIDERING TAKING OURS IN MYSELF AND SEE IF I GET THE SAME RUN AROUND. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Feb 01, 2005

MY 2003 ACURA TL CURRENTLY HAS 3500 MILES ON IT. THE OTHER DAY IT STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE - NO NOISE WAS PRESENT PRIOR - TURNS OUT THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE BAD (THE FRONT ONES WERE FINE). *AK

Mar 22, 2004

TOOK DELIVERY OF NEW ACURA 2003 3.2TL TYPE S ON MAY 10, 2002. WITH ABOUT 7,000 MILES ON VEHICLE STARTED TO NOTICE SLIGHT "SHIMMY" / "SHUTTER" WHEN APPLYING BRAKES...GREATER IMPACT AT SPEEDS 40 - 70MPH. THIS INDICATES WARPED BRAKE ROTORS. FINALLY INSISTED THAT DEALER ADDRESS ISSUE. DEALER FIRST OFFERED TO "TURN" ROTORS; I DECLINED AND ASKED THAT THEY CONTACT HONDA FOR REPLACEMENT OF ROTORS. HONDA AGREED ON, "GOOD-WILL ONE TIME BASIS." FURTURE WARRANTY COVERAGE WILL BE BY "TURNING" ROTORS. ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED AT 9,675 MILES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE CAUSE IS "OWNER DISTINCTIVE DRIVING HABITS." WHEN ASKED FOR A DEFINITION, I WAS TOLD THAT I MUST LIVE ON AND OR DRIVE ON LONG - STEEP HILLS WHICH NECESSITATES EXTENED USE OF BRAKES. THIS IS TOTALLY INCORRECT AND THEY WERE ADVISED OF THAT. IF NORMAL USE OF THE BRAKES WILL CAUSE WARPING, THEN THE BRAKES ARE NOT FIT FOR THEIR IMPLIED USAGE AS DEFINED UNDER THE UNIFORM COMMERICAL CODE-IMPLIED WARRANTY MECHANTABILITY. IN DISCUSSION WITH A MEMBER OF THE ACURA STAFF, IT WAS DISCLOSED THAT ABOUT 50% OF THE VEHICLES EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. HONDA/ACURA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS HAVE BEEN MADE UNAVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS; HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE TSB ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE CALLS FOR ROTOR REPLACEMENT OR "TURNING" ROTORS. IT IS CLEAR THAT HONDA/ACURA IS IN IT'S NORMAL MODE OF DENIAL OF A PROBLEM. A PROBLEM WHICH IS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY ENGINEERING DESIGN DEFECT AND/OR IMPROPER HEAT TREATMENT/HARDENING OF THE ROTOR MATERIAL IN CONJUNCITION WITH THE COMPOSITION OF THE BRAKE PAD MATERIAL. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT AND SAFETY HAZARD.

May 17, 2003

SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 complaints

MOTOR FRAMES OR ENGINE CRADLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS BADLY RUSTED, AND IT ABOUT TO FALL APART. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENT PART, AND EVERYONE OF THEM THAT THAT I HAVE FOUND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT THE PROBLEM WHEN I WAS TRYING TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS BACK IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR 2018 AND I HAVE NOT BEEN DRIVING IT BECAUSE I ALSO NEED TO REPLACE THE DRIVE AXLE AND I COULDN'T FIND THE ENGINE CRADLE FOR REPLACEMENT, I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT.

Oct 25, 2018

Crash: 1

FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE OF THIS AUTO CONDEMNED BY SERVICE DEPT. DUE TO PREMATURE RUSTING OF FRAME. AUTO ALWAYS GARAGED. FRAME RUST APPEARED AT 40,000 MILES.

Oct 12, 2018

AUTO HAS ONLY 49,072 MILES ON IT AND THE FRAME BEAM HAS SERIOUS RUST SHOWING.

Jun 15, 2017

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 complaints

MY CAR BEGIN TO IDLE TO 5 RPM AND NOT CHANGE GEARS WHILE DRIVING. PULLED OVER AND CONTACTED LOCAL MECHANIC. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO BRING CAR INTO HONDA DEALERSHIP IN LAKE CITY, FL. THE RESULT WAS NEED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND HAD IT DONE. AFTER TEST DRIVING, THE CAR CONTINUED TO PERFORM POORLY. AT THIS POINT I CONSIDER THE CAR SHOULD GO TO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO GATORLAND ACURA OF GAINESVILLE, FL. AFTER DIAGNOSTICS COMPLETED A TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. A VEHICLE ODOMETER READING AT 80533, SHOULD NOT REQUIRE A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS MY FIRST RESPONSE. I GAVE THEM NO ANSWER AT THIS TIME AS TO WHAT TO DO BECAUSE I AM THINKING THIS IS ABSURD. AFTER TWO DAYS OF SEEKING ADVICE AND RESEARCH,I FOUND A RECALL WAS SUBMITTED FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUE. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALER, I WAS GIVEN THE PRICE FOR REPAIRS. REGARDLESS OF INFORMING AND DEBATING THIS SHOULD NOT BE A COST FOR CONSUMER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STAFF AND MANAGER WAS NOT VERY HELPFUL NOR PROFESSIONAL. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY COVERED BY WARRANTY/HIGHWAY SAFETY RECALL. I WROTE A LETTER TO HONDA HEADQUARTERS AND CONTACTED THE DEPARTMENT BY PHONE. ALMOST TWO WEEKS LATER, GATORLAND ACURA OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR. I WAS NOT PLEASED WITH THE OUTCOME BUT NEEDED TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE THERE WAS NONE OFFERED TO ME. TO THIS DAY, I HAVE NOT RETURNED THERE TO PAY FOR MAINTENANCE BECAUSE OF THE TRUSTWORTHINESS OF GATORLAND ACURA OR HONDA HEADQUARTERS. THE RECALL ISSUE WAS POSTED AROUND FEBRUARY 2008 AND MY CAR WAS IN FOR THE EXACT ISSUE MAY 2008. CONTINUOUSLY UNHAPPY CONSUMER. *TR

Feb 20, 2013

2003 ACURA TL TYPE S EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *MR THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ROUGHLY IN ADDITION TO MISSING WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED. WHEN THE CONSUMER PRESSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO INCREASE THE SPEED THE ENGINE SURGED ON TWO OCCASIONS BACK TO BACK AS THE CONSUMER TRIED TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. (FAULTY TL TRANSMISSIONS WERE A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM FOR ACURA) *SC

Jan 15, 2004

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH 2003 ACURA TL TYPE S. *PH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ROUGHLY IN ADDITION TO A MISSING CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WAS ALSO A TIME WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD NO REVERSE GEAR. *SC

Jan 06, 2004

POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS

2 complaints

2003 ACURA T.L WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SLIPPING ON 2ND GEAR. THEN WHEN VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE GEAR. AS I WAS ON HIGHWAY THE CAR STARTED JERKING OUT OF CONTROL, I COULD NOT ACCELERATE, VEHICLE BARELY WANTED TO MOVE SO I PUT IT IN #2 GEAR SO IT WORK CATCH AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO SAFETY WITHOUT ANYONE GETTING HURT. VERY FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS. PROBLEM MUST BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.

Feb 25, 2020

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON.D5 LIGHT FLASHING ON TRANSMISSION

Mar 18, 2017

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

2 complaints

'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

Mar 19, 2018

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 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

Dec 04, 2013

STEERING

2 complaints

POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKED AND FAILED AT 54,000 MILES, STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT,REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING AND SQUEALING AT 122,000 MILES. CONTACTED ACURA AND THEY ARE REQUIRING $1700 TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. DEALER ADDED STEERING FLUID AND NOISE DECREASE TEMPORARILY. STEERING STARTING TO GET STIFF, FEBRUARY 16, 2011. *TR

Feb 16, 2011

STEERING FAILED - STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN FREELY WITHOUT AFFECTING THE FRONT WHEELS. OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT SO THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING. A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *JB

Oct 10, 2006

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

2 complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 0-35MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND MAKING A CONTINUOUS LOUD NOISE. WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, HE HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN SHAKING RAPIDLY ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE REVERSE GEAR BOX AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 96,400. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB THE DEALER STATED VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Sep 05, 2007

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, A CAR SUDDENLY CUT INTO CONSUMER'S LANE. CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE TO AVOID HITTING THE OTHER CAR AND USED THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY. VEHICLE SPAN OUT OF CONTROL, MAKING 2 COMPLETE ROTATIONS AND THEN HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES, BUT NO ONE WAS INJURED. CONSUMER FEELS THE ABS AND TRACKING SYSTEM FAILED TO PREVENT THE ACCIDENT. *TT

Aug 12, 2002

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

2 complaints

CONSUMER HAS PROBLEM WITH THE HEATER AND THE AIR CONDITIONER.*AK

Jun 30, 2003

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

Oct 09, 2002

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

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 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.

Oct 21, 2023

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

The driver’s side seat belt is frayed. The area of concern on the belt goes through the upper guide loop and into the B-pillar trim panel. When in use it resides along my upper left torso. The amount of fraying is about twelve inches in length and the width is decreased by about a quarter of an inch in one area. The issue came to my attention on January 18, 2023. when a co-worker, who has worked in designing and engineering vehicle safety components, brought it to my attention. He informed me that that all safety features such as seat belts and air bags, are warrantied for the life of a vehicle as they work together as a safety system as an industry standard, and that the belt is compromised and may not work as designed in the event of a crash. On January 18, 2023, I spoke on the telephone with the service manager, Martin, of Acura of Troy in Troy, Michigan. Martin informed me that the belt was not a warranty item. I also contacted Acura by online chat on January 19, 2023, and received the same information. On January 27, 2023, I visited the Acura of Troy dealership and had a service representative review the component and received a written estimate to replace the defective parts at my expense, and not under warranty. I believe this to be a defective part caused by the components comprised in the system. I would like this matter to be elevated with Acura as a matter of record. My expectation is to confirm this is either not a safety concern or repair the belt as required under warranty.

Feb 19, 2023

AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

Unknown

Oct 15, 2022

POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

THE PAINT ON ALL 2003 ACURA TL THE PAINT FAILS BADLY. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO WENT OUT ON ME SOON AS MY CAR HIT 100,000 MILES WHICH SAD FOR AN ACURA. I OWNED A 96 TL AND NEVER HAD ANY OF THESE ISSUES. *TR

May 05, 2020

AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V182000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES SQUEAKED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Dec 17, 2019

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

IN FORWARD MOTION, FREEWAY. ELECTRICAL. TRANNY. CAR CURRENTLY READS 138,356 MILES. AROUND ROUGHLY 134,000 MILES THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AS A RESULT FROM RPMS REACHING ABOUT 6 ON THE CLUSTER RPM DISPLAY DUE WHAT FELT LIKE SLIPPING INTO TO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR. SLIPPING HOWEVER USUALLY RESULTS WITH WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER A SLAMMING EXPERIENCE FROM EVENTUALLY CATCHING AND SHIFTING INTO THE CORRECT GEAR. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS MERGING ONTO FREEWAY. CAR DID NOT CATCH GEAR BUT NUETRALIZED UNTIL I SWITCHED TO SPORT SHIFT MODE AND DISPLAYED 4 GEAR AND THE VEHICLE JETTED OFF. CEL HAS REMAINED ON AND 3RD GEAR STILL A ISSUE. DID MUCH MAINTENANCE, REPLACEMENT OF SOLENOIDS,FLUID FLUSH, ETC. PROBLEM SOLVES THEN RETURNS. THIS HAS WENT ON FOR ABOUT 6MON THIS LAST MONTH SEEMED ISSUE HAD RESOLVED ITSELF AFTER TWO MORE ATF FLUSHES IN THE PRIOR MONTH. THIS LAST WEEK MY LADY AND I COMING HOME FROM OUR DATE NIGHT, LUCKILY THATS WEDNESDAY(HUMP DAY) FOR US, SO FREEWAYS AT 12:30-1AM IN SAN DIEGO HOLD FEW TRAFFIC.I SAY LUCKILY BECAUSE GOING ABOUT 70-75 MPH THE CAR SUDDENLY FELT LIKE WHAT SLAMMING INTO A WALL HEAD ON AT 75 MPH MUST FEEL LIKE. JERKING US FORWARD, UNINJURED DUE TO SEATBELTS, THANK GOD. THE SCARIEST THING HOWEVER WAS THE FACT THAT IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE AT THAT SPEED AFTER THE JOLT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO NEUTRALIZE AND ANY ACCELARATION THAT WOULD OCCUR WOULD INSTANTLY GIVE A LESS INTENSE JOLT BUT RAPIDLY SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND DRASTICALLY INCREASING OUR LEVELS OF DANGER OF SOMETHING WORSE ,AS I MADE MY WAY OVER TO FAR LEFT SIDE OF FREEWAY. REACHING SAFETY I EXAMINED VEHICLE FOUND NOTHING VISUALLY WRONG. AFTER LETTING CAR COOL AND LETTING WARM TO NORMAL OP.TEMP I PUT VEHICLE IN SPORT MODE EXITED FREEWAY AND TOOK CITY STREETS HOME ONLY USING D2,NO PROBLEMS OCCURRED. TODAY REPEATED THE MAINTENANCE AS BEFORE. RUNS OKAY BUT I'M NERVOUS

Mar 25, 2018

STEERING,POWER TRAIN,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO BRAKE OR ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND LEFT THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HANDS, WRISTS, HEAD, ANKLE, CHEST, AND SHOULDER. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED AND THE CONTACT VISITED HIS PHYSICIAN AFTER THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V176000 (POWER TRAIN). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 263,138.

Apr 11, 2017

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS

1 complaint

RUST THROUGH CONDITION ON RIGHT SUB-FRAME SUPPORTING ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION. AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER DRAIN TUBE DRIPS CONDENSATION/WATER DIRECTLY ONTO THIS AREA OF THE SUB-FRAME CAUSING SEVERE CORROSION AND EVENTUALLY PART FAILURE LEAVING ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION WITHOUT PROPER ALIGNMENT AND SUPPORT THAT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED. ACURA DENOUNCED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM. LEFT SIDE OF SAME PART IS NOT EFFECTED AT ALL. INTERNET SEARCH HAS DISCOVERED NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF THIS PROBLEM. TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR 1999-2002 HONDA ACCORD CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. BUT MANUFACTURE'S SOLUTION WAS TO MOVE THE LOCATION OF THE DRAIN TUBE IN FUTURE MODEL YEARS OF THE CAR. I PAID AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP $2,600 TO REPLACE THE REAR SUB-FRAME SECTION. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT AND REAR SUB-FRAMES BUT THE FRONT SECTION WAS NOT EFFECTED AND DID NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIR SHOT I TOOK MY CAR TO TO HAVE THE WORK DONE PRAISED THE CAR FOR BEING SPOTLESS UNDERNEATH EXCEPT FOR THE EFFECTED AREA. PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED ON AUGUST 16, 2016.

Sep 23, 2016

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

1 complaint

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 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.

Sep 01, 2016

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

HONDA REPLACED MY AIRBAG AND I STILL GET THE SRS MALFUNCTION LIGHT. ACURA DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS WANTING ME TO REPLACE THE SAFETY COMPONENTS AT MY COST. SRS LIGHT IS ON AND I SUSPECT FAULTY SEAT BELTS. BUT HONDA DOES NOT WARRANTY SEAT BELTS AND SAFETY COMPONENTS AFTER 10 YEARS.

Aug 29, 2016

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

MY BROTHER WAS DRIVING MY CAR ONE THEN IT ALL THE SUDDEN CAR JUST STOPPED WHEN WAS GOING AND BAD PART WAS IT STOPPED IN TRAFFIC HE ALMOST GOT HIT IT WAS SCARY. I GOT LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR PLEASE HELP!

Mar 25, 2016

STEERING,ENGINE

1 complaint

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.

Mar 04, 2016

SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ENCOUNTERED A POT HOLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK VIOLENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND FLIPPED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S LEFT SHOULDER STRAP SEAT BELT WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE LEAVING BEHIND ONLY THE WAIST STRAP SEAT BELT AS THE CONTACT SHIFTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE PASSENGERS SEAT DURING THE ACCIDENT. FURTHERMORE, THE CONTACT'S HEAD WAS PARTIALLY HANGING OUT OF THE WINDOW AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED WRIST, CHEST PAINS, MULTIPLE LACERATIONS AND A CONCUSSION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT'S STOMACH WAS SEVERELY TWISTED OUT OF SHAPE AND THE CONTACT VOMITED AND FAINTED NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Feb 22, 2016

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

!!!WARNING THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!!! "CRUISE CONTROL CONTROL BOX DEFECT!" 2003 TL TYPE S AUTOMATIC 4 DOOR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ON CAR ENGINE BEGAN TO REV OUT OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING, TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES BUT ENGINE IS TOO STRONG, ONCE VEHICLE HIT 80 MPH FROM THIS ON HIGHWAY I CALMLY TURNED IGNITION OFF ONE CLICK SO STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT LOCK AND COASTED TO SAFETY. I HAD TO DETACH MODULE AS WELL AS SPEED CONTROL WIRE GOING TO THE IDLE CONTROL OF ENGINE. IF I WAS INEXPERIENCED I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED EITHER BY GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT OR BY MY AIRBACK BEING DEPLOYED AND KILLED FROM THE TAKATA INFLATOR. "CLEAR COAT" 2003 TL TYPE S BLACK CLEAR COAT PAINT FLAKING OFF AND MASSIVELY DISCOLORED DUE TO THE DRY WINTER COLD AND THE UV HEAT DURING SUMMER. "INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING PROBLEM" 2003 TL TYPE S PROBLEM WITH PART OF INSTRUMENT PANEL WHERE ODOMETER IS AS WELL AS OUTSIDE TEMP NOT ILLUMINATING.

Feb 14, 2016

ENGINE

1 complaint

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 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/

Aug 08, 2015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,ENGINE

1 complaint

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

Jun 04, 2014

Crash: 1

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

1 complaint

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

Apr 25, 2014

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE DUE TO STOPPED TRAFFIC AHEAD OF MY CAR. AS I DID SO, THE CAR ACCELERATED RATHER THAN SLOWED DOWN. MY CAR CONTACTED THE LEFT REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF MINE, AND AS I TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE CAR, IT AGAIN ACCELERATED. VEERED TO THE RIGHT, AND STRUCK THE STONE WALL OF THE BRIDGE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE THROTTLE MECHANISM. "OFFICERS WITNESSED, WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE RPM INDICATOR QUICKLY RISE TO APPROXIMATELY 5,000/5,500 WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE APPLIED ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE FLOOR AREA DID NOT EXHIBIT ITEMS, INCLUDING THE FLOOR MAT, WHICH WOULD POTENTIALLY BE THE CAUSE." *TR

Dec 10, 2012

Crash: 1

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

AS I WAS ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. AT 89MPH I HIT THE BRAKES HARD TO SEE IF I COULD SLOW DOWN. WOULD NOT HAPPEN. PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND BRAKED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE DEALER EXAMINED THE THROTTLE BODY THEY FOUND THE PLASTIC CAM FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD BROKEN AND THE CABLE FOR THE CRUISE HAD JAMMED THE THROTTLE WIDE OPEN. WHEN ASKED IF THAT PART WAS REPLACEABLE I WAS INFORMED THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT ~$500. THE ALTERNATIVE WAS TO REMOVE THE CRUISE CABLE AND TIE IT UP AWAY FROM THE THROTTLE BODY. SINCE THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS WAS THE SECOND ONE THEY HAVE HAD WITH THIS PROBLEM, IT WAS RARE. OOPS IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN TOWN I WOULD HAVE HIT SEVERAL CARS BEFORE GETTING IT SHUT DOWN. THE THROTTLE CAM IS MADE OF METAL WHERE THE CRUISE CAM IS PLASTIC AND BOTH ARE ON THE SAME BUTTERFLY SHAFT. JUST TO SAVE A FEW CENTS MAKES FOR A VERY HAIR RAISING RIDE. *TR

Oct 15, 2011

SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

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.

Jul 13, 2011

WHEELS

1 complaint

2003 ACURA 3.2TL, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE WHEN IT LOST THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE GREAT LAKES PLAZA. *BF THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, LEFT FRONT ROTOR, LEFT FRONT FENDER AND UNDERCARRIAGE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0344-91)*JB

Jun 29, 2011

POWER TRAIN,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint

ACURA 2003 TN-S CAN TURN OFF ENGINE WITH CAR IN NEUTRAL. I DID AND IT ROLLED AWAY. IT IS REPEATABLE. *TR

Aug 10, 2010

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

2003ACURATL 4 DOOR. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COME AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHEN DRIVING THE CAR WITH SOMEONE IN THE SEAT. THE GAS PEDAL ALSO IS STARTING TO STICK AND HARD TO PUSH DOWN TO MOVE THE CAR FORWARD. COULD THERE BE A RECALL MAYBE A INVESTIGATION. *TR

Feb 24, 2010

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

THERE IS A KNOWN TRANSMISSION ISSUE WITH ACURA 2003TL VERSION, EVEN THOUGH ACURA HAVE PUT IT IN RECALL, TO DO THE WORK THE DEALER CHARGE ANYWHERE FROM $350-600. THE VEHICLE CHOKES UP IN BETWEEN THE ROAD BECAUSE OF OVERHEATING IN TRANSMISSION. THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING IS ONE ANOTHER ISSUE WHICH WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER CALLED IT AS COMPUTER SYSTEM MESS UP IN THE CAR AND THIS IS NOT IN THE RECALL, THE DEALER CHARGES ABOUT $800 FOR SUCH REPAIR WHICH IS NOT REASONABLE FOR THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT OF ACURA. *TR

Feb 04, 2010

SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE DOWN-SHIFTED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, AND A MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE GEARS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED HIM THAT BEFORE REPAIRS COULD BE PERFORMED HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY AN $140.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT HE WOULD CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE WHAT RECOURSE THEY WOULD PROVIDE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,300. UPDATED 11/06/09. *LJ THE BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 11/10/09

Oct 13, 2009

SEATS

1 complaint

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT WARMER FAILED. REPORTED BY ACURA THAT THE SEAT 'BURNT-OUT.*TR

Nov 25, 2008

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

MY '03 ACURA TL IS HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES. ALSO THE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND WARP CAUSING ME TO HAVE THEM RESURFACED ALL THE TIME.

Aug 30, 2007

TIRES,WHEELS

1 complaint

THE CARELESSNESS OF THE WORKERS COMPLETING CONSTRUCTION ON INTERSTATE 275. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES; DUE TO A SCREW WHICH CAUSED MY TIRE TO BLOW WITH THE FIRST TIRE ON THE INTERSTATE AT 4:45 AM, HAD TO SPEND $266.46 TO REPLACE TIRE. THEN A WEEK AND A HALF LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE SAME INTERSTATE GOING TO WORK HAD TO REPLACE ANOTHER TIRE DUE TO A NAIL, ANOTHER $200.00. I THINK IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DOT TO MAKE SURE ALL SCREWS AND NAILS ARE CLEARED OFF THE INTERSTATE SINCE PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO TRAVEL IN ORDER TO GET TO WORK EACH DAY. TO HAVE TO PAY OVER $400, IN A WEEK AND HALF; MONEY THAT I DON'T HAVE IT IS TAKING A TOLL ON ME FINANCIALLY. I THINK DOT NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL THE LOOSE NAILS AND SCREWS BEING LEFT ON THE INTERSTATE. *JB

Oct 11, 2006

SUSPENSION,TIRES

1 complaint

2003 ACURA TL TYPE-S EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. CAR WAS TAKEN TO AN ACURA DEALER FOR SERVICE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE ACURA MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN SEEN PREVIOUSLY ON SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE/MODEL AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (VSA) ALLOWING SLIPPAGE OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DURING RIGHT TURNS. ACURA STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION AVAILABLE AND THE ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO ROTATE THE TIRES ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS. TIRE DEALER WAS ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE TIRE ITSELF (MICHELIN) AND INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO SERVICE NOTIFICATIONS ISSUES FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE WEAR ON THIS TIRE IS HEAVILY ACCELERATED AND WAS ONLY NOTICED ON A ROUTINE EXAMINATION OF THE VEHICLE. BASED ON THE STATEMENTS BY THE ACURA MECHANIC, I BELIEVE THERE TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TO SLIP, THEREBY CAUSING THE EXCESSIVE WEAR. GIVEN WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS, THIS SLIPPAGE WAS INCREASED DUE TO THE LOSS OF ROAD TRACTION. IF UNNOTICED, THE TIRE WOULD HAVE FAILED (WITH LESS THAN 28000 MILES) POTENTIALLY CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE WORN TIRE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AND PICTURES OF THE TIRE IN COMPARISON TO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *NM

Apr 25, 2006

STEERING,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

WE WERE TRAVELING WEST ON ROUTE 76 IN MY 2003 ACURA MDX JUST OUTSIDE DENVER COLORADO. DEBRIS CAME ACROSS THE ROAD. THE DRIVER SWERVED TO AVOID THE DEBRIS. WE THEN SWERVED BACK TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. THE BACK END OF THE CAR BROKE LOOSE ONTO THE MEDIAN. THE CAR THEN ROLLED ONCE, FLIPPED UP INTO THE AIR AND REVOLVED THREE TIMES AND LANDED UPRIGHT. THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER WAS EJECTED AND MIRACULOUSLY JUST BRUISED. THE DRIVER WAS ONLY BRUISED AS WELL. THE PASSENGER HOWEVER WAS TAKEN TO TWO LOCAL HOSPITALS AND HAS A BROKEN NECK AND MANY LACERATIONS ON HIS HEAD. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET CONTROL OF AND TO STEER DURING THIS ACCIDENT. DID ALL THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN THIS CAR FUNCTION THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED TO? *JB

Jan 08, 2006

Crash: 1

Injuries: 3

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

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

Nov 18, 2005

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

I STARTED THE ACURA 3.2TL TYPE S AT 6:45AM, THE ACURA HAD NOT BEEN STARTED OR DRIVEN THE PREVIOUS 14 HOURS. ENGAGED TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE, THE GEAR LOCKED UP AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD AND AT THE SAME TIME A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, I MANAGED TO STOP THE ACURA AFTER 30 FEET WHERE I WAS ON AND OFF MY PARKING AREA AT MY HOUSE. BY THE TIME I HAD STOPPED THE CAR FLAMES, SMOKE & FUMES WERE FILLING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, I COULD NOT GET THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OPENED, MY NEIGHBOR NOTICING THE LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD RUSHED TO MY AID FOR HE COULD SEE THAT I WAS IN THE CAR AND I WAS PUSHING ON THE DOOR WITH MY FEET IN AN EFFIORT TO ESCAPE THE BURNING ACURA. I WAS OVERCOME FROM THE FUMES AND SMOKE WHEN HE PULLED ME OUT OF THE NOW THE RAPIDLY BURNING ACURA, THE FLAMES HAVING ADVANCED TO THE FRONT SEAT. HE PULLED ME OUT WITH MY HEAVY JACKET ON FIRE AND THE BOTTOM OF MY PANTS AFLAME. HE MANAGED TO GET MY JACKET OFF AND THE FLAMES OUT ON MY PANTS AND WE MANAGED TO GET AWAY FROM THE BURNING ACURA THEN IN THIRTY TO FOURTY SECONDS THE FIRE HAD PROGRESSED TO THE REAR OF THE ACURA AND THE GAS TANK EXPLODED AND THE WHOLE CAR WAS A FIREBALL. I SUFFERED 2ND & 3RD DEGREE BURNS ON MY LEGS. APPLETREE ACURA, FLETCHER, NC HAD PERFORMED RECALL (CAMPAIGN ID #: 04V176000) ON DECEMBER 8TH, 2004 AT 42,000 MILES IN WHICH THEY DID NOT REPLACE TRANSMISSION BUT PERFORMED A REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE ACURA WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

Apr 07, 2005

Fire: 1

Injuries: 1

AIR BAGS,SEATS

1 complaint

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, PUSHING IT INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND CAUSING DRIVER'S SEAT TO COLLAPSE INTO THE BACK SEAT. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES, AND TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR PAIN IN HIS ARM AND LEGS. CONSUMER WAS X-RAYED, AND THEN INFORMED HE HAD NERVE DAMAGE, AND WAS REFERRED TO AN ORTHOPEDIC S. IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

Mar 29, 2005

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

POWER TRAIN,TIRES

1 complaint

I OWN A 2003 ACURA TL TYPE-S. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE MERGING INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, I'VE EXPERIENCED MOMENTS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T RESPOND TO ACCELERATION (I.E. WOULDN'T DOWN SHIFT). THE CAR JUST SEEM TO COAST SLOWLY INTO TRAFFIC, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST GET INTO VEHICLE ACCIDENTS. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION I HAD WAS REPLACED DUE TO BURNT TRANSMISSION FLUID, I'M JUST UPSET THAT I WAS ALLOWED TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT HAD A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. I HAD MENTIONED ON SEVERAL OCCASSIONS TO THE DEALER WHERE I ORIGINALLY LEASED THE VEHICLE (ACURA OF TROY), ABOUT TIMES WHEN THE CAR JUST SEEMED TO GET STUCK IN SECOND GEAR. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. HOWEVER, I FEEL I NO LONGER CAN DEPEND ON THE DEALER TO GIVE ME ACCURATE INFORMATION. THIS IS A VERY CRITICAL PROBLEM AND DANGEROUS. I'M AFRAID FOR MY LOVED ONES AND MYSELF WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I TOOK CAR INTO ANOTHER DEALER (SUBURBAN ACURA) WHERE THEY REPLACED MY FIRST TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE, NOW I'M HAVING EVEN MORE PROBLEMS WITH THE SECOND ONE. I'M STARTING TO GET A BURNING ODOR FROM THE VEHICLE NOW. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK IN FOR SERVICE BUT WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. HOW CAN SOMEONE CHECK A TRANSMISSION IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR LESS? I WANT OUT OF THIS VEHICLE FOR SAFETY REASONS. THIS IS NOT WHAT I PAID FOR, AND NOW I'M DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT HAS REDUCED PERFORMANCE AND A BURNING ODOR. AGAIN, I'M AFRAID FOR MY WELL-BEING AND THOSE OF MY FAMILY.*AK

Mar 26, 2005

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE TO WARM IT UP BEFORE TAKING OFF THE DEFROSTER TAKES ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO CLEAR THE BACK WINDOW. WINDOWS STEAM UP VERY BADLY. *AK

Feb 08, 2005

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

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

Oct 14, 2004

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

"YAW RATE SENSOR" FOR THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VDS) SYSTEM MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOUNTED. THIS CAN CAUSE EITHER OF THE FRONT WHEEL BRAKES TO BE SUDDENLY AND FIRMLY APPLIED WITHOUT WARNING FOR UP TO ONE SECOND. A POSSIBLE RESULT IS LOST OF CONTROL OR REAR END COLLISION (BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT ACTIVATED). IMPROPERLY MOUNTED SENSOR WILL ALSO CAUSE THE VDS TO DEACTIVATE UNTIL ENGINE RESTART, ACTIVATE VSA SYSTEM INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ON THE TACHOMETER FACE, AND SET A YAW RATE SENSOR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE. HONDA HAS STARTED SUPPLYING YAW RATE SENSORS WITH A LOCATING PIN WHICH PREVENTS IMPROPER MOUNTING. BUT THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT HONDA HAS RECALLED TO CHECK THOSE VEHICLES BUILT OR REPAIRED WITH UNITS LACKING THE LOCATING PINS. THE UNIT IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO CHECK FOR PROPER MOUNTING. THIS PROBLEM PERTAINS TO 2003 & 2002 TYPE-S VERSIONS OF BOTH THE 3.2TL AND 3.2CL MODELS. *LA

Oct 20, 2003

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

HIGH BEAMS REFLECT LIGHT TO VERTICAL OBJECTS AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SUCH AS TREES, STRUCTURE, ETC, CAUSING DISTRACTING FLASHES OF LIGHT, AND MOMENTARY DIVERSION OF DRIVER'S ATTENTION. LOW BEAMS DO NOW SEEM TO GO OUT FAR ENOUGH TO GIVE A GOOD VIEW OF THE DARKENED ROAD WITHOUT USING HIGH BEAMS. THE HEADLIGHTS ON 2001 AND EARLIER MODELS WERE EXCELLENT AND DID/DO NOT PRESENT THE SAME PROBLEMS. I DO NOT KNOW OF HEADLIGHTS USED ON 2002 MODELS WERE THE SAME AS MINE. DEALER STATES PROBLEMS NOT CORRECTABLE IN THAT LIGHTS OPERATE AS DESIGNED BY MANUFACTURER. *AK THERE WAS A RATTLE IN THE FRONT SEAT BELT HOUSING, THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS HARD TO OPEN, AND THE SILL PLATE WAS LOOSE. *SCC *JB

Jul 22, 2003

2003 ACURA TL Problems & Complaints

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