Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Acura TL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to shift from second gear to third gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the RMP's revved up but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked and hesitated to accelerate. The check engine, third and fourth gear, ESP fault, and VSA system warning lights were illuminated. The contact self-diagnosed the vehicle with a code reader and the code P1750 appeared. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle then lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V176000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Driving on Highway going 65mph vehicle suddenly jerked and dropped to 20 mph. Causing my entire body to collide with the steering wheel. Luckily there no cars behind me. Was on my way to work when this happened too far from home. So when I got at work which is thirty minutes from where I live I had to get a tow truck to get my car home. That's how bad it was. My mom had this car for about ten years. I've had it now for three years. Never had this problem before. We've had the car in the family for almost fifteen years. Only thing that's had to change was a power steering line and front shocks. Almost sold it last week and I'm glad I didn't. Has over 230,000 so I'm not upset. Just a bit sad that this happened to my TL. Needs A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valves A B.
TL* the contact owns a 2003 Acura TL. While driving 35 MPH around a curve, the vehicle failed to brake or accelerate and the transmission seized. The steering wheel also became very difficult to turn. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and left the road. The contact crashed into an embankment and a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the hands, wrists, head, ankle, chest, and shoulder. Medical attention was required and the contact visited his physician after the crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V176000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 263,138.
I started the Acura 3.2tl type s at 6:45 am, the Acura had not been started or driven the previous 14 hours. Engaged transmission in reverse, the gear locked up and rapidly accelerated backward and at the same time a fire started in the engine compartment, I managed to stop the Acura after 30 feet where I was on and off my parking area at my house. By the time I had stopped the car flames, smoke & fumes were filling the passenger compartment, I could not get the drivers side door opened, my neighbor noticing the large amount of smoke coming from under the hood rushed to my aid for he could see that I was in the car and I was pushing on the door with my feet in an effiort to escape the burning Acura. I was overcome from the fumes and smoke when he pulled me out of the now the rapidly burning Acura, the flames having advanced to the front seat. …
My check engine light came on. I took 2003 Acura TL to (2) local auto parts store (advance auto parts and autozone) to have it scanned using the diagnostic tools provided by technicians on site. Was given an exact recall diagnostic error code (a/t. When I call the recall center they said that this repair had already been done in 2005. This obviously could not have been done properly. I called again when I started having other problems with my car including hesistation during accelaration . This time I was told that my vehicle's "batch" number was not affected by the recall. I called my local Acura dealer (leith Acura in cary,nc) to get an estimate of the repairs which was more than the value of the car which did not include the "official diagnostic test" which was $131.00 alone. …
Recently purchased an 03 Acura TL. 64000 miles at time of purchase. I drive it using the slap stick and mostly highway driving. I notice when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gears, at approximately 20-25 MPH the car seems to jerk, or jump in the front end. Also between 3rd and 4th gears. Depending on how fast I accelerate and change the gears, sometimes there is more jerking...at lower speeds....and less jerking when accelerating at a faster rate. The vehicle now has 76000 miles on it and I am concerned there are going to be transmission issues soon. This is my second Acura TL, the first one having over 205K miles with no issues with transmission, that was replaced by dealer @ 55K. Is there anything that can be done with this issue that I am not aware of. There are no other issues with this vehicle. Did I miss the recall cut off date, was there never recall, or did Acura miss group of VIN #s? …
I was leaving work at about 7 pm. I noticed it took the transmission an extra few seconds to shift into drive but it was cold so I let it warm up and things seemed to be fine. As I started to get on to I-93 I noticed my tachometer spike to about 4K RPM. I couldn't catch 3rd gear and the car behind me had to veer around me as I started slowing down. After I pulled over on the side of the on ramp for a minute the car seemed to be safe to drive so I headed home slowly in the breakdown lane and it slipped at about 35 again. I've always felt comfortable driving my car, but this made me second guess buying it in the first place. People could've gotten hurt and on a transmission with less than 125K this shouldn't be happening. I purchased it in 2013 from my uncle and put less than 10K on the odometer. He had purchased it in 2008 certified from an Acura dealer. …
NHTSA recall number: 04v-176 I bought this car in 2012 and have been having issues since. I have had issues with my transmission under 40 MPH. It does not act up all the time, but I an concerned that it could cause an accident. The prior owner noticed the same issues from time to time. It does not act up all of the time. The Acura dealer said there is nothing wrong and that my model did not need the 2004 recall for transmission issues. That is the same info on Acura and your website, but I am concerned about the accuracy. Could you check if my exact VIN needed the recall? And if repair was needed, confirmation that the recall repair was completed. I am the 2nd owner of the car and I know the 1st owner of the car. All maintenance since the car was purchased new have been done at the same Acura dealer in st. Louis and I have all the records from the dealer since 2003.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Automatic transmission sudden downshift
See attached report.
Transmission complaints in other TL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Acura TL?
NHTSA has 246 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Acura TL, 63% of the model year's 391 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (175 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Acura TL transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-176 (automatic transmission, Apr 15, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Acura TL transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 1 fire and 9 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.