Overview & Reviews
For 2003, all TL models equipped with the navigation system receive OnStar as standard equipment.
- Excellent value, comfortable front seats, impressive power from the Type-S engine, long list of standard equipment.
- Average interior materials, lacks the panache of some competing luxury sedans.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 456.00-
Pretty Bummed with Acura - 2003 Acura TL
By corbin12 - December 5 - 3:13 pmBought this TL with about 60,000 miles on it and was very impressed.....for about a year then it started falling apart. A/C needed to be completely replaced. Transmission never shifts down in town, so it hardly ever runs below 2500 RPMs even at low speeds. The exterior trim is faded, the heat controls inside have a mind of their own...you can turn the system off and still have hot air blasting out. The wiring on the steering wheel stereo controls is fried and never worked right. I thought Acura made a quality product but I was very wrong. Disappointed with this car...its kind of a piece of junk.
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Did not meet my exectations as a used vehicle purchase - 2003 Acura TL
By jacquelineb - September 18 - 11:13 amInitially I was proud that my 2003 Acura TL was made in Ohio and purchasing it used fit my budget in 2007. This car can eat four years of family vacations. Expenses include: a rebuilt transmission replacement, convenient electrical features busting. At 80,000 my CD player failed & ate CDs, @ 90,000 CD player buttons on steering wheel failed, @ 100,000 the heated seat feature failed on the passenger side. The one on driver side only heats the back not the bum for which I am keeping my fingers crossed will not fail this week since I need to recover from a back sprain. Leather seats not too durable for no kids no pets family.
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Dump the Car if You Can - 2003 Acura TL
By Nadine - August 6 - 2:59 pmI bought my TL at around 87K miles and it has been nothing but a headache. Last year the transmission had to be replaced. Im very gentle with the car. The the engine was gummed up so that was another large expense. The rear view mirror had to be replaced because some chemical in the mirror started leaking out. Now the PCM Unit has failed and it will cost $1200 to repair. Im quite angry with Hendricks Acura in Charlotte right now because they didnt mention that I could get an exchange or a reconditioned PCM which will cost less. They also want to charge me for a 2nd diagnostic before they replace the PCM. This is the absolute worst car I ever owned!
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disappointing - 2003 Acura TL
By ccccccc - April 3 - 2:22 amHas well documented transmission problems. I have a 7 yr 100k warranty that expired 3 mos ago & i have 94k. I bought this as a certified used car at an acura dealer. Due to known issues & under mileage talked to Acura Client Svcs. but did no good. S.O.L. Replacement $4500. Do your research or better skip it
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Great car minus the transmission problem - 2003 Acura TL
By Ed - January 6 - 12:19 pmThe styling was good now the car looks really dated, honestly it is a glorified Honda Accord. Bought car with 50k on it, at 78k tranny went out covered by dealer. Now at 120k it went out again this time costing me $3000 worth of repairs. Dealer was no help this time around. Car is reliable like any Honda starts up every time. Steering has a real heavy feel to it. Drive is nice, interior is ok, the display on radio and hvac look too old now like 80s digital watches black font... I would not recommend this car due to tranny issues. all of them suffer from it.
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I thought Acuras were good? - 2003 Acura TL
By ShouldaBoughtaCaddy - December 8 - 9:23 pmPurchased car used with 90,000km on it. Tranny blew at 185km. Dealer wanted $6000 to replace it, not under warranty. Only under certain VINs were the trannys covered under warranty. Had a Honda Sabre (Japanese TL) tranny imported from Japan, installed for $3K, seems ok for now. The car is pretty quick. My V8 5.3L GMC Sierra get almost the same MPG. Repairs are expensive and front wheel drive cars are a pain to work on. Honda (Acura) has totally dropped the ball on this one. They have built their reputation on reliability and performance. What happened here Mr Honda? Ive had much better luck with my 95 Nissan, my 98 Civic and my 02 GMC Sierra. Shoulda bought a caddy!
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Do Not Buy!!! - 2003 Acura TL
By Disappointed - September 11 - 10:21 amI purchased my 2003 Acura TL Type S used with 49,000 miles in January of 2008. It WAS a great vehicle until the odometer hit 66,000 miles thats when the transmission failed and had to be replaced. The cost of the replacement was $3,500. I purchased this vehicle based off of Acuras claim of producing quality and reliable products. My Acura has not exhibited any of these claims. I should have listened to the consumer reviews I read while researching this vehicle. There was an alarming number of reviews warning of transmission replacements. Will not buy another Acura again.
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Do Not BUY - 2003 Acura TL
By john c - August 3 - 2:00 amI bought my 03 TL-TYPE S in June 2002. It has been in the shop 6 times. I purchased the vehicle overfilled by 2 quarts of transmission fluid. Acura said it was a common mistake. This is the fifth brand new Honda product I have purchased (and I am only 25). They have lost a loyal customer for life. I have talked to other customers while in the shop over the months. I have found that Acura does not have the reliability it claims. Its not worth the many trips to the shop and the stress. I would strongly caution anyone looking to purchase an Acura/Honda.
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Why didnt I buy the Accord! - 2003 Acura TL
By MikeNJ - December 22 - 10:00 amThis car has a disappointing amount of squeaks and rattles. The brake system is one of a toy car. I thought because it was an Acura that it would be a better car then a plain old Honda. Boy was I ever wrong. I know a few people that own both of these cars the TL and the Accord. TL drivers share their horror stories while Accord drivers worship their cars.
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Cant believe Acura - 2003 Acura TL
By Shocked!! - November 20 - 2:00 amIm a honda/acura guy. I bought Acura for the reliability, and the most bang for the buck. Its actually a fun car to drive but my faith in Honda/Acura has greatly diminished. Acura knew about the transmission problems that they have been having with the TL from 98- 2003. I should have done more home work. Ive had my car for a few months have 4k miles on it and my transmission is bad !!! The kicker is that they wanted to replace it with a remanufactured tranny..... No thank you. Screw the 100k extended warranty......... A major recall in the making....
