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2003 Acura TL acceleration problems

20 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 30,209. 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints
20
of this car's complaints
5%
typical mileage
30,209
crashes
4
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Linkages
    2
  • Cruise control
    2
  • Cables
    2
  • Accelerator pedal
    2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Acura TL acceleration problems in other years

1995200020052013

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Acura TL acceleration

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Sudden acceleration 7

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Acura TL owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 15, 2016 · Acceleration · 90,000 miles · MN

Summer of 2014 I can to a stop light at a complete stop. My tl type s kept idle at 3500 - 3700 RPM. Drove the car about quarter of a mile before having to shut of the engine. That fix the problem for the time being. This would happen 2-5 times a week for three weeks until I figured out the cause. Come to find out it was the cruise control lever at the throttle that was getting stuck. Eventually just unhooked the cable for the cruise control. Hasn't been fix since.

Filed Feb 14, 2016 · Acceleration, Body · 135,000 miles · ME

!!!warning this is a safety issue and needs to be addressed!!! "cruise control control box defect!" 2003 tl type s automatic 4 door without cruise control on car engine began to rev out of control while driving, tried to apply brakes but engine is too strong, once vehicle hit 80 MPH from this on highway I calmly turned ignition off one click so steering wheel would not lock and coasted to safety. I had to detach module as well as speed control wire going to the idle control of engine. If I was inexperienced I could have been killed either by getting into an accident or by my airback being deployed and killed from the takata inflator. "clear coat" 2003 tl type s black clear coat paint flaking off and massively discolored due to the dry winter cold and the uv heat during summer. "instrument panel lighting problem" 2003 tl type s problem with part of instrument panel where odometer is as well as outside temp not illuminating.

Filed Apr 25, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 130,000 miles · SC

I was pulling off the interstate and came to a red light on a hill right before haywood road. I had to stop because the light was red and when the light turned green I pulled onto haywood road and the car went through 1st gear, 2nd gear and right before it went into 3rd it slipped out of gear and just revved to around 4000 RPM. When the car went into 3rd and started sipping I had a pile of cars that bunched on my behind. I had two guys in a truck scream and yell obscene gestures.

Filed Jun 17, 2013 · Acceleration · NC

2003 acura tl. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration. *smd the consumer was able to put the vehicle in neutral and came to a stop after a few more miles. Both of the front rotors were warped from braking. The plastic bushing on the throttle cable had broken and wedged the throttle plate open.

Filed Feb 20, 2013 · Acceleration, Transmission · 80,533 miles · FL

My car begin to idle to 5 RPM and not change gears while driving. Pulled over and contacted local mechanic. I was instructed to bring car into honda dealership in lake city, fl. The result was need a transmission flush and had it done. After test driving, the car continued to perform poorly. At this point I consider the car should go to the acura dealership. My car was towed to gatorland acura of gainesville, fl. After diagnostics completed a transmission was needed. A vehicle odometer reading at 80533, should not require a new transmission was my first response. I gave them no answer at this time as to what to do because I am thinking this is absurd. After two days of seeking advice and research,I found a recall was submitted for transmission issue. Upon contacting the dealer, I was given the price for repairs. Regardless of informing and debating this should not be a cost for consumer. The service department staff and manager was not very helpful nor professional. This should have been completely covered by warranty/highway safety recall. I wrote a letter to honda headquarters and contacted the department by phone. Almost two weeks later, gatorland acura offered to replace the transmission and I would be responsible for the labor. I was not pleased with the outcome but needed transportation because there was none offered to me. To this day, I have not returned there to pay for maintenance because of the trustworthiness of gatorland acura or honda headquarters. The recall issue was posted around february 2008 and my car was in for the exact issue may 2008. Continuously unhappy consumer.

Filed Dec 10, 2012 · Acceleration, Airbags · 97,000 miles · PA · crash

I was applying the brake due to stopped traffic ahead of my car. As I did so, the car accelerated rather than slowed down. My car contacted the left rear of the car in front of mine, and as I tried to straighten out the car, it again accelerated. Veered to the right, and struck the stone wall of the bridge on the shoulder of the highway. According to the police report, there was a malfunction with the throttle mechanism. "officers witnessed, when starting the vehicle, the RPM indicator quickly rise to approximately 5,000/5,500 without any pressure applied on the gas pedal. The floor area did not exhibit items, including the floor mat, which would potentially be the cause."

Filed Nov 23, 2012 · Acceleration · 103,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura tl. The contact stated that while attempting to brake, the vehicle erroneously accelerated. The contact shut off and restarted the vehicle as it began to function properly. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileages were 103,000.

Filed Dec 8, 2011 · Acceleration · OH

Transmission broke on 2003 acura tl s. Sucks as I have always changed n maintained services.

Filed Oct 15, 2011 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 122,000 miles · OK

As I was accelerating onto the highway, the car continued to accelerate. At 89mph I hit the brakes hard to see if I could slow down. Would not happen. Put the transmission into neutral and shut off the engine and braked to the side of the road. When the dealer examined the throttle body they found the plastic cam for the cruise control had broken and the cable for the cruise had jammed the throttle wide open. When asked if that part was replaceable I was informed the whole throttle body would have to be replaced at ~$500. The alternative was to remove the cruise cable and tie it up away from the throttle body. Since the dealer told me this was the second one they have had with this problem, it was rare. Oops if this would have happened in town I would have hit several cars before getting it shut down. The throttle cam is made of metal where the cruise cam is plastic and both are on the same butterfly shaft. Just to save a few cents makes for a very hair raising ride.

Filed Nov 5, 2009 · Acceleration · 30,209 miles · VT

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura tl. The accelerator would repeatedly get stuck, which caused unintended acceleration. She took the vehicle to the dealership, and the accelerator was replaced. However, the failure resurfaced. She took the vehicle to another dealer, and the technician stated that the accelerator was installed too tightly. He then re-installed the accelerator pedal. The repair remedied the failure. The current mileage was approximately 85,000. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000. Updated 12/07/09 *bf the consumer stated the problem was the accelerator under the hood. The throttle cable was adjusted. Updated 12/09/09.

Questions about the 2003 Acura TL acceleration

Does the 2003 Acura TL have acceleration problems?

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the acceleration of the 2003 Acura TL, 5% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Acura TL acceleration problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 30,209 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Acura TL acceleration?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Acura TL have the most acceleration problems?

The Acura TL model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2003 (20 complaints), 2002 (15 complaints) and 2000 (11 complaints).

Other 2003 Acura TL problems

Transmission 246Airbags 50Engine 22Body 15Electrical 15Suspension 14Lights 10Tires 10Brakes 9Steering 5Fuel system 4Seat belts 4Wheels 3Seats 2Driver assistance 1Locks 1Visibility 1

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