2003 Acura Rl: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Acura Rl: 1 recall, 9 owner complaints.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V027000 · 2020 · 875,966 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Fuel & propulsion (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2003 Acura Rl has 9 owner complaints, ranking #13 of 18 Rl model years for complaints (well below the 24 average). Complaints peaked in 2020 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 17 years old, at a median of 80,817 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (43 complaints, 2 recalls), 2004 (11 complaints, 0 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Acura Rl.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Acura Rl have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2003 Acura Rl. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Acura Rl problems?
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (6), engine (1), transmission & drivetrain (1).
Where can I get a 2003 Acura Rl repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.