2003 Acura Rl Problems
The 2003 Acura RL has 14 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall, with airbag malfunctions dominating the issues. Based on 14 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Airbag Malfunctions the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2003 Acura Rl has 14 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2003 Acura Rl Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
ACURA RL 2003 has 14 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall. Airbag malfunctions account for 8 complaints, and 2 are crash-related. Buyers should verify recall completion and inspect airbag systems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Acura
- Model
- Rl
- Model year
- 2003
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 14
- Crash-related complaints
- 2
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Airbag Malfunctions
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2003 Acura Rl problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Airbag Malfunctions
Tire Issues
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Airbag Malfunctions, Tire Issues, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2003 Acura Rl?
The 2003 Acura RL may be worth considering if you find a well-maintained example, but the airbag complaint pattern warrants caution. Given low data confidence, a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
Airbag malfunctions can affect safety and repair costs. A single recall also means you must verify it was completed.
May Suit
This year may suit budget-conscious buyers who prioritize a luxury sedan and are willing to verify recall completion and inspect airbag systems.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers who want a trouble-free ownership experience or cannot afford potential airbag repairs should avoid this year.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2003 Acura Rl
Inspection Focus
- Verify airbag system operation and recall completion.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear or damage.
- Check electrical systems including lights and infotainment.
Before You Close the Deal
- Check for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm completion.
- Request service records for airbag system and tires.
- Have a mechanic inspect airbag sensors and wiring.
- Test all electrical components during test drive.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2003 Acura Rl, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2003 Acura RL shows a high proportion of airbag-related complaints (8 of 14 total). With only 14 complaints and 1 recall, the data set is small, so conclusions are uncertain. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Compared to other model years, 2003 has a small complaint count, but airbag issues are disproportionately high.
Recall context: One recall means you must check if it was performed before purchase.
- Airbag malfunctions account for 8 of 14 total complaints.
- 2 complaints are crash-related.
- Only 1 recall exists for this model year.
- Airbag Malfunctions (8 complaints) – potential for non-deployment or inadvertent deployment.
- Tire Issues (2 complaints) – possible premature wear or failure.
- Electrical Faults (1 complaint) – could affect various systems.
Full breakdown
All 2003 Acura Rl complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Acura Rl. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 8 | 2 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Acura Rl. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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…
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 …
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 DEALERS…
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 …
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…
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…
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 IGNI…
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 …
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, FLIPPE…
VEHICLE SKIDDED-HIT DIVIDER-PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED-DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT. *AK
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: "SOM…
THERE SHOULD BE A BAN ON THE HID FRONT BRIGHT BEAMS ON CARS FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY. I HAVE MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO HAVE ALL STATED THEIR DISGUST WITH THE LIGHTS AS BEING A ROAD HAZARD. MANY TIMES ON TWO-LANE HIGHWAYS YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU BECAUSE THE CAR APP…
THE VEHICLE SKIDDED, WHEN THE CONSUMER CHANGED LANES. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND TURNED 180 DEGREES. *SCC *JB
WHILE PARKING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HIT A SECTION OF CURBING THAT WAS EXTENDED FROM THE NEXT SECTION OF CURBING, THERE WAS A HISSING SOUND AND CONSUMER THEN DISCOVERED THE TIRE WAS FLAT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SIDEWALL WAS BROKEN.*YH
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2003 Acura Rl.
Safety recalls
2003 Acura Rl recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2003 Acura Rl. One recall means you must check if it was performed before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2003 Acura Rl buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2003 Acura Rl reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 14 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. The 2003 Acura RL may be worth considering if you find a well-maintained example, but the airbag complaint pattern warrants caution. Given low data confidence, a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Acura Rl?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (8 complaints). #2: Tire Issues (2 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (1 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Acura Rl?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2003 Acura Rl?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2003 Acura Rl, NHTSA complaints include 2 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 14 total complaints. 4 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2003 Acura Rl have any recalls?▾
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2003 Acura Rl. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. One recall means you must check if it was performed before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2003 Acura Rl?▾
The 2003 Acura RL may be worth considering if you find a well-maintained example, but the airbag complaint pattern warrants caution. Given low data confidence, a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential. Airbag malfunctions can affect safety and repair costs. A single recall also means you must verify it was completed. Pay extra attention to Airbag Malfunctions during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Acura Rl reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.