2003 Acura TL body problems

Filed Aug 28, 2022 · Body · NY

This complaint is in regards to the 2003 Acura model TL, which is made by Honda and seems to have a notorious car frame rust/rot problem due to designing the AC compressor drain line to dump water directly onto the cars front subframe/engine cradle causing it/them to be compromised to a serious extent that could lead to major injury and or death if not spotted and dealt with. All complaints clearly indicate the problem is on the right/passenger side of certain Hondas and Acuras in the early 2000's. There is no major issues in regards to driver side frame rott. How is that? Because it's a problem created by a variable located there and that is explained here in this complaint. By the grace of God, I had a sway bar link issue making a ticking noise and asked my mechanic to get It onto the lift a take a look. He told me that I should, "Drive it home, park it and start looking for another car. Put it this way, if you were to hit a bad pothole you could have been in a serious situation." Honda has had an innumerable amt of complaints regarding the same issue and it should have been recalled and redirected the drain line, and ppl suffering this issue should have been compensated for the repair (if even possible to do). I will attach photos if permitted to show the extent of the rust on the front frame of the vehicle. Sad nobody has done anything to remedy this. Disgusting.

Filed May 5, 2020 · Body, Transmission · 100,000 miles · VA

The paint on all 2003 acura tl the paint fails badly. The transmission also went out on me soon as my car hit 100,000 miles which sad for an acura. I owned a 96 tl and never had any of these issues.

Filed Jul 22, 2018 · Body · 88,000 miles · WI

******* delete voq ******* this complaint is being marked for deletion because the consumer placed the request.*djr ******* delete voq *******

Filed Jul 5, 2018 · Body · IL

The passenger side subframe has rust damage. The driver side subframe does not have rust damage. The rust damage is occurring from the top of the frame, caused by the air conditioner drainage line dripping on top of the frame. Acura dealerships are seeing more and more of the older vehicles coming into shops with this defect. The 2000 honda accord has the same problem and was reported in 2009. So far my car has not fallen apart, and will soon have problem repaired. I expect honda/acura to do the right thing and repair/recall and fix the problem. Reference the channel 5 investigations in cleveland ohio on you tube for honda rust problem.

Filed Dec 19, 2017 · Body · 112,000 miles · PA

Subframe rusted out. $2600 to repair. Garage kept vehicle. Understand there have been similar complaints and the root cause is known. Unbelievable that such a large and supposedly reputable manufacturer can not assume any responsibility for a design flaw. Last acura or honda I will ever purchase.

Filed Mar 11, 2016 · Body · 125,000 miles · NJ

Clear coat is peeling off of the trunk, sides of the car, and roof.

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 Dec 8, 2015 · Body · 90,000 miles · OH

The passenger-side subframe has major rust and some parts are rusted through. A mechanic and further research has narrowed the problem on the A/C condenser hose dripping onto the metal. The driver-side part of the subframe has minimal surface rust. This problem is common among honda accords and acura tls alike, according to the mechanic. $1500 to replace subframe with a used part, or $2500 at the dealership. Was told by the dealership the vehicle is too dangerous to drive.

Filed Jun 4, 2014 · Airbags, Body · 120,000 miles · GA · crash

My daughter died in a accident on november 7, 2013 in the acura tl 2003. She had been telling me that it felt like the ignition was sticking and would speed up. I would check with my local mechanic and he told me acuras are known to idle high. I believe that her car problem was the cause of the accident and the police could not give me a reason for the accident. She was 19 and a senior in high school and was a good child.

Filed Jun 26, 2013 · Body · 135,000 miles · PA

I got my acura 2003 tl type s back from my local dealership and was told that the subframe on the passenger side of the vehicle was completly rusted and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The car's A/C drain is right above the area of the subframe rust. This a major defect in the car that is causing the subframe to be rotted through and unsafe. I also found that the honda accord 1999-2002 has the same problem with the subframe rust from the A/C drain. I notified the car manufacturer of this probelm and they are denying that there is anything wrong with the car's craftsmanship.