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2003 Acura TL Base

The 2003 Acura TL Base is a 225-hp 3.2-liter with a 5-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It starts at $28,980 MSRP and is rated at 21 mpg combined.

It makes 225 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 216 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm, spinning to a 6,300 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 17 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (21 mpg combined).

The TL measures 192.5 inches long on a 108.1-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,494 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSedan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$28,980 ($51,188 *)
MSRP with Destination$29,480 ($52,071 *)
Destination Charge$500
Engine
Engine Type3.2-liter, SOHC VTEC V-6
Displacement3.2 L
Horsepower225 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque216 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
Redline6,300 rpm
ValvetrainVariable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC), 4 valves per cylinder, belt-driven, single overhead camshaft
Bore and Stroke89 x 86
Compression Ratio9.8:1
Injection TypeProgrammed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed automatic transmission with Sequential SportShift and Grade Logic Control
1st Gear2.563 (42 mph **)
2nd Gear1.552 (70 mph **)
3rd Gear1.022 (106 mph **)
4th Gear0.653 (166 mph **)
5th Gear0.471 (231 mph **)
Reverse1.846
Final Drive4.429
Fuel Economy
City17 MPG
Highway27 MPG
Combined21 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium Unleaded, 91 Octane
Tank Capacity17.1 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent double-wishbone with coil springs and stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionIndependent multi-link, double-wishbone with coil springs and stabilizer bar
Front Stabilizer Bar1.07 in (27.4 mm) diameter x 0.18 in (4.5 mm) wall thickness
Rear Stabilizer Bar0.71 in (18.0 mm) diameter, solid
Turning Diameter36.8 ft
Brakes
Front Brake DiscVentilated, 11.4 in (300 mm) diameter; 1.1 in (28 mm) rotor thickness
Rear Brake DiscSolid, 11.1 in (282 mm) diameter; 0.35 in (9 mm) rotor thickness
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16 x 6.5 cast-aluminum alloy
Wheels Rear16 x 6.5 cast-aluminum alloy
Tires FrontP205/60R16
Tires RearP205/60R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length192.5 in
Width70.7 in
Height53.7 in
Wheelbase108.1 in
Front Track61.2 in
Rear Track60.4 in
Ground Clearance5.3 in
Cargo Volume14.3 ft³
Curb Weight3,494 lbs
Weight Distribution (F/R)62% / 38%
Interior
Headroom Front39.9 in
Headroom Rear36.8 in
Legroom Front42.4 in
Legroom Rear35 in
Shoulder Room Front56.2 in
Shoulder Room Rear55.7 in
Hip Room Front53 in
Hip Room Rear55 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars
** Theoretical max speed per gear at redline

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2003 Acura 3.2 TL 4-DR. w/SAB

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Acura TL. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jun 27, 2019 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 19V499000

Mar 6, 2019 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

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.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. 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.

NHTSA campaign 19V182000

May 28, 2015 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

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.

Remedy: 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.

NHTSA campaign 15V320000

Apr 15, 2004 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 04V176000

Aug 28, 2002 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

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

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 02V226000

397 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 Acura TL

Owner Complaints

397 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Acura TL (26 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 19 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Power Train246
Air Bags52
Vehicle Speed Control20
Unknown Or Other18
Electrical System15
Structure15
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jul 12, 2025 · Unknown Or Other
“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…”
Sep 20, 2024 · Air Bags
“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…”
Jan 20, 2024 · Power Train
“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…”
Oct 21, 2023 · Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System
“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…”
May 10, 2023 · Power Train
“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…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2003 ACURA TL. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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