VehicleVerdict

2003 Acura RL problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2003 Acura RL — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other RL years?

RL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted153 complaints1996: 26 complaints1997: 24 complaints1998: 16 complaints1999: 26 complaints2000: 79 complaints2001: 12 complaints2002: 54 complaints2003: 11 complaints2004: 16 complaints2005: 153 complaints2006: 39 complaints2007: 24 complaints2008: 14 complaints2009: 14 complaints2010: 10 complaints2011: 3 complaints2012: 1 complaints2015: 3 complaints
RL NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all RL years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Acura RL problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags655%
Electrical System19%
Engine19%
Fuel System19%
Other19%
Transmission19%

Does the 2003 Acura RL have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V027000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 875,966 units

Defect

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. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 1, 2020

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 25, 2006

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 26, 2015

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 26, 2015

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 26, 2015

2003 Acura RL — common questions

Is the 2003 Acura RL reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2003 RL problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (6 complaints), transmission (1 complaints), electrical system (1 complaints).

Does the 2003 Acura RL have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2003 Acura RL. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Acura RL years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the RL years to avoid are 2005, 2000, 2002, 2006. The cleanest record among RL years belongs to 2012.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.