Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Acura TL

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 467 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V499000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Vehicles affected
3,947
Reported to NHTSA
2019-06-27
Owners notified
2019-08-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V182000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Vehicles affected
1,101,534
Reported to NHTSA
2019-03-06
Owners notified
2019-04-10

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V320000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Vehicles affected
6,281,043
Reported to NHTSA
2015-05-28
Owners notified
2015-07-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V176000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component
Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Vehicles affected
1,099,796
Reported to NHTSA
2004-04-15
Owners notified
2004-04-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V226000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected
17,551
Reported to NHTSA
2002-08-28
Owners notified
2002-08-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission17569,000 mi
Power train69122,000 mi
Air bags41123,000 mi
Unknown or other1968,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1480,533 mi
Suspension1273,000 mi
Structure: body11112,000 mi
Electrical system9120,000 mi
Engine8161,000 mi
Air bags: frontal622,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling672,535 mi
Exterior lighting628,100 mi
Equipment5102,000 mi
Steering5122,000 mi
Tires553,380 mi
Tires: sidewall512,200 mi
Seat belts4123,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition361,521 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine327,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission325,600 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip35 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module2—
Electrical system: ignition: switch282,430 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys26,700 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner23 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights2—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch2—
Fuel system, gasoline242,000 mi
Service brakes297,000 mi
Structure215,151 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Vehicle speed control: cables225,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control222,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages210,000 mi
Wheels266,000 mi
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module1220,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk15 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)155,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system19,750 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Fuel system, other1790,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1—
Latches/locks/linkages184,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter113,500 mi
Power train: driveline138,000 mi
Seats165,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner122,400 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor150,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light176,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor19,675 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Structure: body: trunk lid17,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1—
Suspension: front163,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing110,700 mi
Tires: tread/belt134,500 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

EA15001Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.