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

The most-reported problem areas are air bags (8 complaints), tires (2 complaints), electrical system (1 complaints).

Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

2003 Acura RL: common problems and reliability

An average RL year.

14 owner complaints, most about air bags. 1 recall.

Should I buy a 2003 RL?

The 2003 Acura RL has 14 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and tires.

Safety record for the 2003 model year

Owner complaints

Recalls

Crash reports

Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Acura RL vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other RL years only. How we score it

Is 2003 a good year for the RL?

Across the 17 RL model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2012) to 125 (2005). With 14 complaints, the 2003 RL sits below the model's median of 20.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

air bags

tires

electrical system

power train

engine

Recalls affecting the 2003 RL

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 20V027000

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

What owners say across generations

Owners regard the RL as a comfortable, quiet, well-built luxury sedan with a strong V6 and a notably refined cabin, and several long-term owners report trouble-free runs past 200,000 miles.

Owner insights cover all generations of the RL. See the full RL owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used RL listings typically run $5,890–$9,995 across 1997 to 2012 model years.

Other RL model years

Compare every RL year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.

2012 RL 2011 RL 2010 RL 2009 RL 2008 RL 2007 RL 2006 RL 2005 RL 2004 RL 2002 RL 2001 RL 2000 RL 1999 RL 1998 RL 1997 RL 1996 RL

Compare the RL against its rivals

RL vs BMW 5 Series RL vs Cadillac DeVille RL vs Infiniti Q45 RL vs Mercedes-Benz E-class

Looking at a specific car?

We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.

One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Full Acura RL owner report Compare against another car