CarComplaints.com Notes: The 1999-2003 Acura TL has a known & widespread defect with the transmission.

Honda fixed some vehicles with a recall in 2004 by changing the oil cooler return line. To settle a class action lawsuit in 2006, Honda extended the transmission warranty on some of these Acura TL's to 93 months / 109,000 miles.

Now these vehicles are past the warranty limit, so buyer beware.

7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
114,700 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. complete paint job (4 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
2003 Acura TL body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2003 Acura TL Owner Comments

problem #6

Jan 052013

TL 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car looks awful, patches of disappearing paint. Inside is like new, very frustrated on how awful the outside looks. This should not be happening to a luxury car.

- Theresa R., Park Ridge, US

problem #5

May 302015

TL S 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

Paint peeling ongoing. Estimate was $1,000. Clear coat recall according to CollisionMax but was not previously informed by dealer.

- xlisarn, Cherry Hill, US

problem #4

Dec 162015

TL S 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 124,000 miles

The clear coat is peeling on the hood, trunk lid and on the top around the sun roof. It looks really bad.

- Robin C., C, KY, US

problem #3

Feb 062016

TL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

clear coat is peeling

Very annoying and unsightly, I visited two body shops and both said the only option was to repaint the entire car which would cost a great deal of money.

- Ed M., Riverside, NJ, US

problem #2

May 012013

TL 3.2 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Clear coat and paint coming off in multiple locations. Auto Body shop said many Hondas and Acuras have this problem as there is no UV protection in the defective product used at time of manufacture. and

American Honda is not willing to correct.

- iscott3, Kings Park, NY, US

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problem #1

Nov 012013

TL Type S 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 164,000 miles

The clear coat is peeling and quickly getting worse. White blotches are appearing on the trunk, roof and under the widows on the doors. It's very hideous looking and stands out. It's really ugly and really ticks me off. It would be a beautiful car without those hideous blotchy white spots on it.

Update from Oct 31, 2014: The only option I really seem to have is to repaint it, and for me that's not a cheap fix.

- thegarbear14, Barryville, NY, US

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