2003 Acura RL Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1 safety recall on file

The 2003 Acura RL has 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA.

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA.

The most-reported problem area is Air Bags (6 reports).

1Recalls
9Owner complaints
0Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your RL?

A recall covers specific vehicles. Your VIN shows whether yours still needs the free repair.

2003 Acura RL recalls

Driver airbag may rupture or underinflate in a crash

Recall 20V027Jan 17, 2020875,966 vehicles affected

The driver's frontal airbag inflator on some vehicles may have been replaced during an earlier repair with a part that can absorb moisture.

Most common 2003 Acura RL problems

Problem areas named in the 9 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem areaReports
Air Bags6
Engine1
Power Train1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System1

What owners report

2021-03-08, Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LESTER RAINES HONDA (5102 MACCORKLE AVENUE SW, SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV 25309, (304) 768-1251) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
2021-03-03, Air Bags
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH AND WAS TOLD TO PARK MY CAR. I DID FOR 9 MONTHS, FORCED TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. ACURA REFUSED TO PROVIDE A RENTAL. WE FILED A CLASS-ACTION SUIT. ACURA REQUIRED AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRBAGS/INFLATOR. I RECEIVED AN INVOICE I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND AND CALLED THE DEALER. THEY REFUSED TO RETURN FIVE MESSAGES, AND WHEN WE I REACHED THEM THEY WOULDN'T TELL ME WHAT ITEMS ON THE INVOICE MEANT, SAYING THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO, AND THAT I HAD TO CALL ACURA. I CALLED ACURA AND THEY TOLD ME TO CALL THE DEALER. THE INVOICE MENTIONED A DISCONNECTED AIR BAG AND A FAULTY MODULE. BOTH OF THOSE ITEMS PUT ME AND MY PASSENGERS IN DANGER. THERE WAS A REFERENCE TO 'INCREASED PRESSURE
2020-11-19, Air Bags
2003 ACURA RL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVER FRONTAL AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT MAKE A REASONABLE ATTEMPT TO ASSIST WITH THE 500 MILE ROUND TRIP TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO LONGER AUTHORIZING LOCAL DEALERSHIPS TO COMPLETE RECALLS. *JS
2020-09-29, Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ACURA OF WESTCHESTER (2155 PALMER AVE, LARCHMONT, NY 10538, (914) 834-2222) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
2020-06-15, Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V027000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. PHIL SMITH ACURA (940 N FEDERAL HWY, POMPANO BEACH, FL 33062, (954) 785-7100) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REMEDY PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

2003 Acura RL questions

Does the 2003 Acura RL have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2003 Acura RL: Driver airbag may rupture or underinflate in a crash. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Acura RL?

Based on 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (6), Engine (1), Power Train (1).

How do I check if a recall on my 2003 Acura RL has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

Other Acura RL years

Other 2003 Acura models