2003 Acura TL Review

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Air bags:frontal:driver side inflator module

Recall Number: 

19V499000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

Q5A, Y58

Manufactured from: 

2001-08-22 to 2002-08-22

Number of vehicles affected: 

3947

Defect Description: 

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Defect Consequence: 

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Corrective Action: 

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

Air bags:frontal:driver side inflator module

Recall Number: 

19V182000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

U40,M45,O4

Manufactured from: 

2004-08-12 to 2005-09-02

Number of vehicles affected: 

1101534

Defect Description: 

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Defect Consequence: 

An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Corrective Action: 

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning on April 17, 2019, however, dealers are ready to begin repairs immediately. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

Air bags:frontal:driver side inflator module

Recall Number: 

15V320000

Number of vehicles affected: 

5100000

Defect Description: 

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Defect Consequence: 

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Corrective Action: 

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153.

Air bags

Recall Number: 

14V351000

Defect Description: 

American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2001-2007 Accord (4-cylinder), 2001-2002 Accord (V6), 2001-2005 Civic, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2007 Pilot, 2006 Ri

Defect Consequence: 

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the vehicle occupants.

Corrective Action: 

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

Air bags:frontal:driver side inflator module

Recall Number: 

11V260000

Number of vehicles affected: 

2430

Defect Description: 

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 HONDA ACCORD, AND CIVIC 2-DOOR AND 4-DOOR, MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 CR-V, MODEL YEAR 2002 ODYSSEY, MODEL YEAR 2003 ACURA CL, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 ACURA TL VEHICLES. THIS RECALL IS RELATED TO A SERIES OF RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES IN WHICH HONDA IS REPLACING THE INFLATORS WITHIN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO ADDRESS A DEFECTIVE CONDITION. THIS RECALL ADDRESSES APPROXIMATELY 2,430 AIR BAGS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AS REPLACEMENT SERVICE PARTS IN THE EVENT, FOR ONE EXAMPLE, A COVERED VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN A CRASH NECESSITATING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG, AND THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG INSTALLED WAS ONE THAT MAY HAVE CONTAINED A DEFECTIVE INFLATOR.

Defect Consequence: 

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG, THE INFLATOR COULD PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE THAT COULD CAUSE THE INFLATOR TO RUPTURE WITH METAL FRAGMENTS STRIKING AND INJURING THE DRIVER OR OTHER OCCUPANTS.

Corrective Action: 

OWNERS OF ALL VEHICLES ON WHICH A REPLACEMENT SERVICE AIR BAG MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WILL BE NOTIFIED. DEALERS WILL INSPECT VEHICLES, AND WHERE A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG INFLATOR IS IDENTIFIED, THE INFLATOR WILL BE REPLACED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009. THIS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN IS RELATED TO RECALLS 08V-593, 09V-259, AND 10V-041.

Air bags

Recall Number: 

10V041000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

Q96 & R13

Number of vehicles affected: 

379000

Defect Description: 

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 HONDA ACCORD AND CIVIC, MODEL YEAR 2002 CR-V AND ODYSSEY, MODEL YEAR 2002-2003 3.2TL AND ONE VEHICLE FOR MODEL YEAR 2003 HONDA PILOT, CIVIC AND ACURA 3.2CL PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE. IF AN AFFECTED AIRBAG DEPLOYS, THE INCREASED INTERNAL PRESSURE MAY CAUSE THE INFLATOR TO RUPTURE.

Defect Consequence: 

METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIRBAG CUSHION MATERIAL POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY OR FATALITY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Corrective Action: 

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIRBAG INFLATOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 26, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AUTOMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.

Air bags:frontal:driver side inflator module

Recall Number: 

09V259000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

Q96 & R13

Number of vehicles affected: 

440000

Defect Description: 

HONDA IS RECALLING 440,000 MODEL YEAR 2001 AND 2002 CIVIC, ACCORD, AND ACURA VEHICLES. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE. IF AN AFFECTED AIRBAG DEPLOYS, THE INCREASED INTERNAL PRESSURE MAY CAUSE THE INFLATOR TO RUPTURE.

Defect Consequence: 

METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG CUSHION MATERIAL POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Corrective Action: 

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIRBAG INFLATOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AUTOMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-999-1009.

Power train:automatic transmission

Recall Number: 

04V176000

Manufacturer Recall Number: 

P30/P31

Manufactured from: 

2001-12-04 to 2003-09-10

Number of vehicles affected: 

1099796

Defect Description: 

ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.

Defect Consequence: 

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Corrective Action: 

ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.

Engine and engine cooling:engine

Recall Number: 

02V226000

Manufactured from: 

2002-06-28 to 2002-07-25

Number of vehicles affected: 

17551

Defect Description: 

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. EVENTUALLY THE BELT COULD BE DAMAGED AND FAIL.

Defect Consequence: 

IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Corrective Action: 

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WATER PUMP AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE PUMPS, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 30, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.