There are 1 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 2003 Acura RLin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
THE IGNITION IMMOBILIZER DEFECTIVE. WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND I TRY TO START IT I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WAIT FOR THE GREEN LIGHT IN THE SHAPE OF A KEY TO GO OUT ON THE PANEL - THEN I TURN THE KEY. THE IGNITION DOES NOT ALWAYS RECOGNIZE THE KEY AND SO THE IMMOBILIZER IS ACTIVATED. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE CAR EITHER STARTS AND SHUTS RIGHT OFF OR IT JUST WILL NOT START AT ALL. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION I HAVE BEEN ALONE AFTER DARK AND UNABLE TO START MY CAR AND LEAVE. I HAVE A TYPE 1 DIABETIC GRANDCHILD THAT I WATCH AND I AM VERY FEARFUL OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET HIM WHAT HE NEEDS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I PURCHASED 2 NEW KEYS AND IT IS ACTING UP EVEN WORSE NOW. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND SAW THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. I FOUND ANOTHER COMPLAINT ON THIS SITE.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026