2003 Acura TL Engine Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11551189

Incident

Sep 30, 2023

'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

NHTSA ID

11080166

Incident

Mar 15, 2018

Mileage

215,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10903082

Incident

Oct 15, 2015

Mileage

202,134 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10839877

Incident

Mar 4, 2016

Mileage

161,000 mi

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/

NHTSA ID

10747189

Incident

Jul 12, 2015

Mileage

102,500 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10595989

Incident

Nov 7, 2013

Mileage

120,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10585022

Incident

Apr 2, 2014

Mileage

130,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10554790

Incident

Dec 3, 2013

Mileage

161,200 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10412828

Incident

Jul 13, 2011

Mileage

73,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10262543

Incident

Mar 6, 2009

Mileage

99,300 mi

MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10249830

Incident

Oct 1, 2008

Mileage

70,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10217325

Incident

Feb 4, 2008

Mileage

72,535 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10143146

Incident

Sep 12, 2005

Mileage

3 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10095435

Incident

Oct 7, 2004

Mileage

14,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10096818

Incident

Aug 12, 2004

Mileage

27,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10089410

Incident

Aug 23, 2004

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

NHTSA ID

10054436

Incident

Jan 19, 2004

Mileage

9,750 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10031982

Incident

Jun 13, 2003

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

NHTSA ID

10024116

Incident

Feb 7, 2003

Mileage

6,700 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10026198

Incident

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

NHTSA ID

8020564

Incident

Sep 11, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE WAITING FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE VEHICLE SERVICED ,DEFECT STATED IN RECALL HAPPEN.ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. NLM

NHTSA ID

8020122

Incident

Sep 12, 2002