Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (44.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 7.3× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 175 · 44.8% | Recalled | Recall 04V176000 |
| Power Train | 69 · 17.6% | Recalled | Recall 04V176000 |
| Air Bags | 41 · 10.5% | Recalled | Recall 19V182000 · Recall 19V499000 · Recall 15V320000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 · 3.6% | not available | — |
| Suspension | 12 · 3.1% | not available | — |
| Structure:body | 11 · 2.8% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 391 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 19V182000 · 2019 · reported 03/06/2019
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 19V499000 · 2019 · reported 06/27/2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V320000 · 2015 · reported 05/28/2015
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 02V226000 · 2002 · reported 08/28/2002
IF THE TIMING BELT BREAKS, THE ENGINE WILL STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V176000 · 2004 · reported 04/15/2004
GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 ACURA TL TYPE S HOME FROM WORK WHEN I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AS MY ENGINE REVOLUTIONS WENT UP AND…”NHTSA complaint 10178812 — filed 01/16/2007 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10176919 — filed 12/26/2006 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“AFTER HAVING MY TRANSMISSION'S SERVICED IN MY 2003 ACURA 3.2 TL TYPE-S, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN MY CAR. I HAVE HAD THE…”NHTSA complaint 10175676 — filed 12/09/2006 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 175 of 391 NHTSA complaints (44.8%), followed by power train (69), air bags (41), unspecified/other issues (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
391 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 24 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 20 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V182000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
