2003 Acura TL: grinding or squealing brakes

8 of the 391 complaints about the 2003 Acura TL describe grinding or squealing brakes.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 78,550
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 7 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Grinding or squealing brakes by model year

2012
1
2010
2
2008
1
2007
4
2006
2
2005
2
2004
4
2003
8
2002
6
2001
2
2000
1
1999
2
1998
1
1996
1

What owners say

Filed Dec 17, 2019 · Airbags, Brakes · CA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 acura tl. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v182000 (air bags). The contact stated that the brake light illuminated and the brakes squeaked. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Oct 23, 2017 · Suspension · 149,000 miles · WI

The frame that supports the engine is rusting out!....it only sounded like a squeak...but the issue is way bigger than anticipated...it only makes a sound when backing up or turning....other parts related to the frame are also affected.

Filed Mar 15, 2011 · Transmission · 78,550 miles · RI

Was driving on interstate 295 at 60mph. Pushed down gas to accelerate past the car on my left and switched lanes. Car made grinding noise and then acted as if in neutral. I checked to ensure the car was still in drive. I kept trying to accelerate but the engine just revved, then the check engine light came on. The car behind me almost hit me due to the sudden lack of acceleration. I pulled to the breakdown lane and experimented with accelerating slowly. Once it shifted to 3rd gear, I lost all acceleration. I would have to turn the car off and back on to utilize 1st and 2nd gear. I had the car towed to my mechanic. The transmission had blown. I called acura to see if they would be willing to help pay for the cost since they had extended the warranty on the transmission for several years because they must have known it was defective out of the factory. It was about 8 months past the warranty expiration. Acura would not offer to pay for the replacement cost. My mechanic rebuilt the transmission and the car now drives fine.

Filed Feb 16, 2011 · Steering · 122,000 miles · NJ

Power steering pump leaked and failed at 54,000 miles, steering became difficult,replaced by dealer under warranty. Power steering pump leaking and squealing at 122,000 miles. Contacted acura and they are requiring $1700 to repair the failure. Dealer added steering fluid and noise decrease temporarily. Steering starting to get stiff, february 16, 2011.

Filed Mar 16, 2007 · Transmission · 28,753 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura tl. On july 1, 2004, the original transmission was overheating. The vehicle hesitated, and made a grinding and clanking noise when shifting gears from park to drive. The mileage was 28,753. The dealer attempted to repair the transmission by inserting a lube kit. The transmission was replaced on january 24, 2007. However, on february 6, 2007, while shifting gears the vehicle was making excessive noises. On february 14, 2007, a rebuilt transmission was installed in the vehicle. The contact stated that the transmission inserted in this vehicle had the same failure. The dealer advised the contact that although there was noise present the vehicle was operating normally. The noises he was currently hearing from this vehicle was normal. The contact stated that he was currently waiting for a regional manager to test drive the vehicle at the end of march 2007. The current mileage was 31,000. *ak update 4/9

Filed Dec 26, 2006 · Transmission · 62,000 miles · MD

On 21 december 2006, I was driving our 2003 acura 3.2tl type s with an automatic transmission when the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly decelerated violently from 50 miles an hour to a full stop. The tires were squealing as if the brakes had been applied. This nearly caused me to be rear ended by the car behind and could have caused a multi-car collision. After the incident, the car had no drive gears available, including reverse. After sitting on the side of the road for approximately 30 minutes, the vehicle could be driven in 1st gear only and I took it directly to the acura dealer where it still sits.

Filed Mar 22, 2004 · Brakes · NJ

My 2003 acura tl currently has 3500 miles on it. The other day it started making a grinding noise - no noise was present prior - turns out the rear brakes and rotors were bad (the front ones were fine).

Filed Jul 11, 2003 · Engine · 6,700 miles · NJ

Timing belt tensioner was defective. The vehicle made a "grinding" sound when driving. The dealer replaced the tensioner. *ak the dealer thought at first, the problem was the a-pipe and replaced it. The second time the dealer thought the problem was the catalytic converter and it was replaced. The third time the timing belt tensioner was replaced, which solved the problem. *scc