2003 Acura Rl problems
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Common 2003 Acura Rl problems
The Acura RL 2003 is known to have common problems with its electrical system, including failures of the power door locks and windows. These issues can be caused by a variety of factors, including faulty wiring or blown fuses. To address these problems, it is recommended to replace any damaged fuses or relays, as well as any faulty sensors or wiring.
Another common issue with the Acura RL 2003 is transmission problems. These can include hard shifting, slipping gears, and transmission failure. One specific issue that has been reported is the transmission slipping into neutral while driving, which can be caused by a faulty torque converter or a damaged transmission valve body. To prevent transmission problems, it is important to keep up with regular maintenance, including fluid changes and filter replacements.
In addition to these common issues, there have also been reports of problems with the car's suspension system, including a harsh ride quality and excessive tire wear. These issues can be caused by worn out or damaged suspension components, such as shocks or struts. To address these problems, it is recommended to replace any damaged or worn out suspension components.
It is important to note that the Acura RL 2003 is an older car, and as such, it may require more frequent maintenance and repairs compared to newer vehicles. However, with proper care and maintenance, the Acura RL 2003 can be a reliable and enjoyable vehicle to drive. It is recommended to stay on top of regular maintenance and preventative measures, such as regular oil changes, cooling system maintenance, transmission fluid changes, spark plug replacement, and battery maintenance. This can help to prevent many common issues and keep the car running smoothly for many years.
Are Acura RL reliable cars?
These compact, midsized, and large models have high scores in CR's road tests—and they're reliable.
Are Acura RL expensive to maintain?
The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Acura RL is $539, compared to an average of $976 for luxury fullsize cars and $652 for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.
What is the top speed of the 2003 Acura RL?
Top speed is governor limited at 134. It drives perfectly at that speed. Non-governed Euro RL's top off at 156.
Is Acura RL a luxury car?
The Acura RL is a mid-size luxury car that was manufactured by the Acura division of Honda for the 1996–2012 model years over two generations. The RL was the flagship of the marque, having succeeded the Acura Legend, and was replaced in 2013 by the Acura RLX.
2003 Acura Rl car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Acura Rl problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
- Tires problems
- Electrical system problems
- Power train problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2003 Acura Rl vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2003 Acura Rl complaints
The NHTSA has received 14 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2003 Acura Rl.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-01-17
- VIN: JH4KA96673C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-03-01
- VIN: JH4KA96653C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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 IN THE AIRBAG DEFLATOR.' I FELT I DESERVED AN EXPLANATION BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF INCREASED PRESSURE IS A GOOD THING OR A BAD THING. THE ACURA REP TOLD ME SHE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION. AFTER SOME PRESSURE SHE TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT ACCESS THE DEALER INFORMATION. UPON PRESSURE, SHE READ ME SOME HOUSE INFORMATION THAT SAID THE CONTROL MODULE IS FAULTY AND THAT THEY REPLACED THE INFLATOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS. I ASKED HER TO REPEAT THAT. AGAIN SHE USED THE WORD REPLACED. 'REPLACED' IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM 'INSPECTED.' I ASKED FOR A COPY OF THAT DOCUMENTATION, BUT SHE REFUSED. I THINK THERE'S A POSSIBILITY THAT I ACTUALLY HAD THE FAULTY INFLATOR, BUT THEY REPLACED IT AND REPORTED THAT TO ACURA, AND THEN SIMPLY SENT AN INVOICE TO ME AND MY ATTORNEY SHOWING THE CAR HAD BEEN INSPECTED. I THINK THEY THOUGHT THAT ONCE EVERYBODY SAW IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED, THAT WOULD BE THE END OF THE ISSUE AND THE CLASS ACTION SUIT. REGARDLESS, THEY BEHAVED EGREGIOUSLY, MY CAR IS IN THE SAME SHAPE, IF NOT WORSE, THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE INSPECTION, MY PASSENGERS AND I REMAIN IN DANGER, AND I FEAR DRIVING THE CAR EVEN MORE THAN I DID BEFORE. I DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS AND I WANT SOME ANSWERS.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-03-01
- VIN: JH4KA96503C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-17
- VIN: JH4KA96503C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-17
- VIN: JH4KA96593C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-06-06
- VIN: JH4KA96553C
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-05-26
- VIN: JH4KA96533C
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 71 NORTH, AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT (70) WHEN THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING. ALL DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING, SO ALL OF THE POWER-ASSIST STOPPED WORKING. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY AND THE CAR STARTED AND RAN WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED 6 MORE TIMES. THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS AFTER 6PM ON MONDAY JUNE 22ND. THIS TIME, AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL SERVICE GARAGE AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH. I HAVE CHECKED NUMEROUS SITES ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH HONDA AND ACURA PRODUCTS. I CONTACTED ACURA, TO SEE IF THERE HAD EVER BEEN A RECALL, THEY TOLD ME THERE HAD NOT. I AM SHOCKED TO LEARN THAT HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEIR CARS STOP RUNNING, WITH NO NOTICE, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO ACTION BY THE MANUFACTURER!!
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-09-16
- VIN: JH4KA96503C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: SIDE AIRBAG INDICATOR GOES ON AND STAYS ON INTERMITTENTLY. HAPPENS ALMOST ALWAYS. REPORTED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. BELIEVE SIDE AIR BAGS ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL WHEN LIGHT IS ON. STARTED AFTER DEALER SERVICING ABOUT SEPT., 2003 AND CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. *TR
STEERING,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-12-26
- Number Of Injuries: 3
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 2HNYD18613H
- Components: STEERING,AIR BAGS
- Summary: WE WERE TRAVELING WEST ON ROUTE 76 IN MY 2003 ACURA MDX JUST OUTSIDE DENVER COLORADO. DEBRIS CAME ACROSS THE ROAD. THE DRIVER SWERVED TO AVOID THE DEBRIS. WE THEN SWERVED BACK TO STRAIGHTEN OUT. THE BACK END OF THE CAR BROKE LOOSE ONTO THE MEDIAN. THE CAR THEN ROLLED ONCE, FLIPPED UP INTO THE AIR AND REVOLVED THREE TIMES AND LANDED UPRIGHT. THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER WAS EJECTED AND MIRACULOUSLY JUST BRUISED. THE DRIVER WAS ONLY BRUISED AS WELL. THE PASSENGER HOWEVER WAS TAKEN TO TWO LOCAL HOSPITALS AND HAS A BROKEN NECK AND MANY LACERATIONS ON HIS HEAD. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET CONTROL OF AND TO STEER DURING THIS ACCIDENT. DID ALL THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT IN THIS CAR FUNCTION THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED TO? *JB
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-02-01
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JH4DC54873C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: VEHICLE SKIDDED-HIT DIVIDER-PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED-DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-05-20
- VIN: 2HNYD18943H
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WE HAVE AN '03 MDX WITH JUST ABOUT 6K MILES ON IT. AROUND 4.2K WE STARTED NOTICING THE THUD. MOSTLY JUST WHEN WE'RE BREAKING. SO TODAY MY WIFE GOES IN AND THEY ARE NICE ABOUT IT, BUT SAY IT'S "JUST THE WAY THE MDX IS..." THEY GIVE HER SOME "SERVICE NEWS" BULLETIN THAT SAYS: "SOME BRAKE CLICK IS NORMAL - ON ANY ACURA VEHICLE, CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER BRACKETS AND THE ENDS OF THE BRAKE PAD BACKING PLATES CAN CAUSE THE PADS TO HIT THE CALIPER BRACKETS WHEN YOU FIRST APPLY THE BRAKES IN A NEW DIRECTION OF TRAVEL (FOR EXAMPLE: BACKING UP, APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEN DRIVING FORWARD AND APPLYING THE BRAKES). THE CLICKING YOU HEAR IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM; THE CLEARANCE IS THERE TO ALLOW FOR HEAT EXPANSION AN / OR CORROSION OF THE PADS." THIS HAS GOT TO BE BS IN THE CASE OF THE CLUNK / THUD NOISE. I'VE GOT TWO FRIENDS WITH MDX'S AND NO [XXX] NOISE... ANYONE CARE TO COMMENT? I'M CONSIDERING TAKING OURS IN MYSELF AND SEE IF I GET THE SAME RUN AROUND. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-01-20
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: THERE SHOULD BE A BAN ON THE HID FRONT BRIGHT BEAMS ON CARS FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY. I HAVE MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO HAVE ALL STATED THEIR DISGUST WITH THE LIGHTS AS BEING A ROAD HAZARD. MANY TIMES ON TWO-LANE HIGHWAYS YOU CAN'T EVEN SEE THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU BECAUSE THE CAR APPROACHING HAS THOSE LIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE BANNED FROM SELLING THE CARS WITH THE LIGHTS AND REPLACE, AT THEIR COST, FOR ANY VEHICLES THAT HAVE THEM ON CURRENTLY. *AK
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-06-03
- VIN: 19UUA56703A
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: THE VEHICLE SKIDDED, WHEN THE CONSUMER CHANGED LANES. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND TURNED 180 DEGREES. *SCC *JB
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: WHILE PARKING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HIT A SECTION OF CURBING THAT WAS EXTENDED FROM THE NEXT SECTION OF CURBING, THERE WAS A HISSING SOUND AND CONSUMER THEN DISCOVERED THE TIRE WAS FLAT, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SIDEWALL WAS BROKEN.*YH
2003 Acura Rl recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2003 Acura Rl.
- Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
- Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.
Negative 2003 Acura Rl car reviews
Positive 2003 Acura Rl car reviews
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I really enjoy driving the Acura 3.5 RL. It provides the comfortable drive that I have been looking for in a luxury car that doesn't have a luxury price tag. I believe the engine to be the most reliable in the industry, with quality that is second to none. The only major drawback I find in this vehicle is its fuel economy, as it seems to absorb fuel like no other car I've owned.
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I'm so glad you love the beast! It's definitely a sleeker option than the Lexus, and in my opinion, a better buy for your dollar. I do agree that it could benefit from a V-8 and adjustable shock system though.
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I still have my Legend that is now 10 years old. Not a dime on repairs. Now this new 3.5 RL seems even nicer. With less than a thousand miles, I'm already in love with the car. It's quiet, smooth, and very much a luxury car. The build quality is impressive and the handling is quick and stable. I can't find a single negative thing about it yet. And most of all, it's a steal at $35,500. That's only $5,600 more than what I paid for my Legend 10 years ago. What else can I say? Oh yeah, who needs a V/8? This car has power galore. Hurry up and get one, and you'll love yourself forever!
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It's a nice, comfy ride, but it could use a bit more character. A little more horsepower would be great, and it lacks a solid pickup. However, once you hit 40 mph, it kicks in pretty nicely. The ride quality is great, and so are the looks of it. I hope Acura will really recharge the new models, maybe with something like a TYPE-S version and a triptronic trans. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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I purchased this vehicle on 11/05 and have loved it ever since. On the same day, I test drove a 2002 Lexus 300 ES and a 2003 Infiniti I35, but the RL ride was outstanding, precise, solid, yet not harsh. The White Pearl finish is outstanding and looks like new, while the interior fit is great. The only minor issue so far is that the SRS light comes on periodically, which appears to be related to the driver seatbelt, but it's easy to reset. I have read that this is a common complaint. Overall, this is a great and underrated vehicle with outstanding features.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2003 Acura Rl problems:
2003 Acura RL Problems and Complaints - 7 Issues
Top 2003 Acura RL Problems · Sensor Problems May Cause SRS Light To Turn On · Reprogram computer to fix shifting problem in automatic transmission · Check ...
How is 2002 Acura RL 3.5 - AcuraZine - Acura Enthusiast Community
Mar 18, 2011 ... 1G RL (1996-2004) - How is 2002 Acura RL ... Acura RL 3.5 and is there any common problems or issues with the model ... 2G TL (1999-2003). 46. 09-03 ...
Reliability on the 2005-2008 RL? : r/Acura
Mar 30, 2020 ... ... reliability like on these? My 2003 CL has been the most reliable car I have ever had just wondering if the RL is similar. Upvote 3. Downvote
Acura RL depreciation and transmission question? - AcuraZine ...
Jul 22, 2011 ... Still, the RL has been praised for its reliability, even the 2005. The cars after mid '07 seem to have the least troubles. You will have to take ...
RL Problems. | Acura Legend Forum
Feb 19, 2010 ... Is this a common problem with a bad EGR Valve? ... This is supposing no mechanical problems with engine valves etc. ... 2003 Acura RL Turn Signal ...
Other years of Acura Rl
Are you having problems with your 2003 Acura Rl?
Prince Ernser 2024-04-18
We owned a TL and decided to upgrade. I'm so glad we did! We're absolutely thrilled with our new car. The ride is fantastic - it feels like we're floating on a cloud. And the build quality is just superb.
Jerod Orn 2024-01-07
Since purchasing this car less than a year ago, it has been in the shop no less than 10 times. Despite this, the issue has not been resolved. However, after 49 days in the shop, the block is finally being replaced. Although I missed out on the 03 model that was just sold, I remain confident that this car will perform well once the repairs are complete.