Vehicle Data Hub

2003 Acura TL drivetrain & axles problems

Owners reported drivetrain & axles problems in 70 complaints for the 2003 Acura TL, 15% of the complaints on file. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
70 15% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
122,000 miles 61 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
1 and 0
Injuries and deaths
2 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When drivetrain & axles problems show up

Drivetrain & axles complaints by mileage, 2003 Acura TL Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 122,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 3 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 5 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 2 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 7 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 8 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 5 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 12 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 6 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 6 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 1 complaints 200k+ miles: 6 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 122,000 miles
Based on 61 complaints that include mileage. 16% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles3
20k to 40k miles5
40k to 60k miles2
60k to 80k miles7
80k to 100k miles8
100k to 120k miles5
120k to 140k miles12
140k to 160k miles6
160k to 180k miles6
180k to 200k miles1
200k+ miles6

What the data shows

Of the 61 drivetrain & axles complaints that report mileage, the median is about 122,000 miles, and 16% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 crash, 2 injuries.

What owners wrote

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura tl. While driving 35 MPH around a curve, the vehicle failed to brake or accelerate and the transmission seized. The steering wheel also became very difficult to turn. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and left the road. The contact crashed into an embankment and a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the hands, wrists, head, ankle, chest, and shoulder.

Reported at 263,138 miles, April 2017 CrashInjury

This car has always hadd scheduled maintenance and recalls performed asap. Transmission was shifting erratically so it was taken to transmission place before due and it was flushed and inspected. It still shifts incorrecly but intermittently. I decided to do some research and found numerous safety issues with the transmission. I bought this because it was rated as such a safe car for my teenager. I am beginning to rethink my original decision. All the scary results of this symptom have happened after the purchase.

Reported at 112,000 miles, March 2016

Other problems reported for the 2003 Acura TL

Drivetrain & axles problems in other years

Drivetrain & axles problems across all Acura models