2003 Acura RL
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 2003 Acura RL. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2003 Acura RL. Newest first.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair.…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.
Owner complaints
9 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 acura RL. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 acura RL. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Lester raines honda (5102 maccorkle avenue sw, south charleston, wv 25309, (304) 768-1251) was contacted and informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Air bags
I received a recall notice in march and was told to park my car. I did for 9 months, forced to buy another car. Acura refused to provide a rental. We filed a class-action suit. Acura required an inspection of the airbags/inflator. I received an invoice I could not understand and called the dealer.…
I received a recall notice in march and was told to park my car. I did for 9 months, forced to buy another car. Acura refused to provide a rental. We filed a class-action suit. Acura required an inspection of the airbags/inflator. I received an invoice I could not understand and called the dealer. They refused to return five messages, and when we I reached them they wouldn't tell me what items on the invoice meant, saying they were not allowed to, and that I had to call acura. I called acura and they told me to call the dealer. The invoice mentioned a disconnected air bag and a faulty module. Both of those items put me and my passengers in danger. There was a reference to 'increased pressure in the airbag deflator.' I felt I deserved an explanation because I don't know if increased pressure IS a good thing or a bad thing. The acura rep told me she was not allowed to give me any information. After some pressure she told me they could not access the dealer information. Upon pressure, she read me some house information that said the control module IS faulty and that they replaced the inflator, among other things. I asked her to repeat that. Again she used the word replaced. 'Replaced' IS very different from 'inspected.' I asked for a copy of that documentation, but she refused. I think there's a possibility that I actually had the faulty inflator, but they replaced it and reported that to acura, and then simply sent an invoice to me and my attorney showing the car had been inspected. I think they thought that once everybody saw it has been inspected, that would be the end of the issue and the class action suit. Regardless, they behaved egregiously, my car IS in the same shape, if not worse, than it was before the inspection, my passengers and I remain in danger, and I fear driving the car even more than I did before. I deserve better than this and I want some answers.
- Air bags
2003 acura RL. Consumer writes in regards to driver frontal airbag safety recall. *Ld the consumer stated the manufacturer did not make a reasonable attempt to assist with the 500 mile round trip to an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was no longer authorizing local dealerships to complete recalls. *Js
- Air bags
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 acura RL. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 acura RL. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to acura of westchester (2155 palmer ave, larchmont, ny 10538, (914) 834-2222) and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
- Air bags
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 acura RL. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…
TL* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 acura RL. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Phil smith acura (940 n federal hwy, pompano beach, fl 33062, (954) 785-7100) was contacted and it was confirmed that the remedy part was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
- Electrical system
The ignition immobilizer defective. when the car IS in park and I try to start it I put the key in the ignition and wait for the green light in the shape of a key to go out on the panel - then I turn the key. the ignition does not always recognize the key and so the immobilizer IS activated.…
The ignition immobilizer defective. when the car IS in park and I try to start it I put the key in the ignition and wait for the green light in the shape of a key to go out on the panel - then I turn the key. the ignition does not always recognize the key and so the immobilizer IS activated. when that happens the car either starts and shuts right off or it just will not start at all. on more than one occasion I have been alone after dark and unable to start my car and leave. I have a type 1 diabetic grandchild that I watch and I am very fearful of not being able to get him what he needs because of this issue. I purchased 2 new keys and it IS acting up even worse now. I googled the problem and saw that this IS not an uncommon problem. I found another complaint on this site.
- Engine · Fuel/propulsion system · Power train
Was driving on interstate 71 north, at the posted speed limit (70) when the car stopped running. All dash warning lights came on. The engine stopped running, so all of the power-assist stopped working. I pulled to the side of the road, came to a complete stop, turned off the ignition and tried to…
Was driving on interstate 71 north, at the posted speed limit (70) when the car stopped running. All dash warning lights came on. The engine stopped running, so all of the power-assist stopped working. I pulled to the side of the road, came to a complete stop, turned off the ignition and tried to restart the car. I turned the ignition key and the car started and ran without any problems. This has now happened 6 more times. The most recent time was after 6PM on monday june 22ND. This time, after restarting the car, the check engine light stayed on. I took the car to my local service garage and they diagnosed the faulty ignition switch. I have checked numerous sites on the internet and found many other people have had the same issue with honda and acura products. I contacted acura, to see if there had ever been a recall, they told me there had not. I am shocked to learn that hundreds if not thousands of people have had their cars stop running, with no notice, and there has been no action by the manufacturer!!
- Air bags › Side/window
Side airbag indicator goes on and stays on intermittently. Happens almost always. Reported to dealer several times. Dealer can't find anything wrong. Believe side air bags are not functional when light IS on. Started after dealer servicing about sept., 2003 and continues to this day. *Tr
Have repeated tire failures in 3 michelin pilot MXM4 rbl 94V TL p225/55r16 tires @ 30,000 miles due to very small pinhole leaks in the sidewall seam. The tires came as oem tires with my new 2003 acura RL 3.5 sedan. Had to junk the tires since the leak developed slowly while driving on the highway.…
Have repeated tire failures in 3 michelin pilot MXM4 rbl 94V TL p225/55r16 tires @ 30,000 miles due to very small pinhole leaks in the sidewall seam. The tires came as oem tires with my new 2003 acura RL 3.5 sedan. Had to junk the tires since the leak developed slowly while driving on the highway. Contacted michelin and reported this complaint but they did not care to answer! The sidewalls are extremenly weak for a 225 hp high performance vehicle.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10211608Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
- 10193392Sending vehicle data to tech line.
- 10165333This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for the outer diameter of the ball joint housing being too small. The outer diameter being too small would prevent the part from being installed, and would therefore have no impact on the end user besides time to complete installation.
- 10130044Servicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
- 10128558Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various 2002-06 Acura models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-023, Safety Recall: Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator Can Be Over-Pressurized, 14-029, Recall: Front Driver?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity Recall, and 14-030, Recall: Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity have been posted to ISIS. However, due to the large number of affected units, Acura is still in the process of populating the VIN status inquiry function on iN, which is expected to take several days. When this process is complete, Acura will notify all dealers again via iN message. Until that time, the existing acknowledgement procedure must be used for all potentially affected vehicles.
- 10128529Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various 2002-06 Acura models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated.
- 10127358Servicenews article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
- 10118544Tech line summary article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
- 10117869Tech line summary article - Is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? We?re aware of this issue and are looking for a solution.
- 10100462Service bulletin - navigation system information.
- 10099960"Service bulletin - this bulletin updates the troubleshooting procedures for dtc p1456 (evap control system leakage [fuel tank system]) and dtc p1457 (evap control system leakage[evap canister system]). Depending on the model, there are two individual procedures in this bulletin."
- 10037486Acura: there are guidelines for various situations and procedures including: tire pressure valve stem installation, trailer stability malfunction light IS on, engine oil application guide, new software, new transmission fluid, notchy steering feeling.
- 10032775Acura: warranty extension: vehicle warranty mileage. A federal court provided final approval of the settlement of a class action lawsuit alleging that the odometers on certain models were overstating mileage. Vehicles affected by this settlement include certain 2002-2006. On affected vehicles, the settlement requires you to honor a 5 percent increase in the mileage coverage period for all warranties. No models were listed.
- 10025524Load carrying capacity reduced label for all acura vehicles.
- 10024561Acura service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Warranty extension: opds unit or opds sensor triggers srs dtc's 15-1, 15-2, 15-3. Csc was received.
- 10018109Homelink won't program with aftermarket remotes.
- 10018038Speedometer shops can transfer odometer mileage. Acura. Servicenews.
- 10014774Replacement or updated navigation dvd disks.
- 10014175Onstar center says no vehicle information.
- 10014093Navigation error message-dvd disk read error.
- 10014075Srs warning light on after body shop repair.
- 10014071Odometer accuracy.
- 10014067The homelink system may have test information stored in memory that must be erased before it can be programmed.
- 10014049If navigation system intermittently displays the message, database old see your dealer, apply the navigational system operating system software patch.
- 10013738Sending honda diagnostic system (hds) snapshots. Acura tech line summary for dealer distribution.
- 10013727Navigation system won't map match or gets lost. Acura tech line summary.
- 10012658Srs indicator comes on with srs diagnostic trouble code.
- 10012636Deformed windshield molding.
- 10009256Intermittent sra diagnostic trouble code 1-1 to 1-5, driver's airbag inflator circuit. October tech line information.
- 10009255Keyless remote transmitter inoperative, . Check keyless, ceiling light, ignition key reminder beeper before troubleshooting keyless remote system. October tech line information.
- 10009254A/c compressor control logic. October tech line information.
- 10009042Don't test-drive with the malfunction indicator lamp or d indicator on. Acura. Servicenews. April 2004.
- 10009040Repairing atf leaks under warranty. Acura. Servicenews. April 2004.
- 10009036Srs indicator on after body shop repair. Check for srs diagnostic trouble codes. Acura servicenews. April 2004.
- 10009002Audio unit and navi anti-theft codes available on in. Acura servicenews. May 2004.
- 10008377Fuel fill cap binds and possible malfunction indicator lamp (mil) comes on with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p1456.
- 10005950Poor air conditioner cooling on hard acceleration. Acura servicenews.
- 10005865Ceiling light, ignition key beeper foil keyless entry.
- 10005860Air conditioning (a/c) compressor control logic. Acura service news.
- 10005122Srs indicator comes on after body shop repair. Acura servicenews.
Every Acura RL model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.