2002 Acura RL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
43 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
76,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 43 complaints (41.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 11.6% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 9.3% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 9.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 9.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 18 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 5 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Air Bags: 18; Electrical System: 5; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 5; Steering: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2001: 8; 2002: 2; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 2; 2012: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2020: 13; 2021: 1; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006617 · 2003-02-05 (February 5, 2003)
PROBLEM IS WITH THE FILTRATION SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006617 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032372 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)
2004 ACURA RL , CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH GEAR SHIFTER IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10032372 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10036763 · 2003-08-28 (August 28, 2003)
2002 BRAND NEW ACURA [XXX]. FRONT FOF LAMPS ARE MADE OF BREAKABLE GLASS. SO FAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWICE. THIS GLASS ID HEAVY/LARGE CHUNKS THAT COULD CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE. THIS GLASS BREAKS IN SHARDS AND IT VERY DANGEROUS. A PIECE BLEW UP AND SCRATCHED PAINT. THE DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING THE FOG LIGHTS WITH SAME BREAKABLE. THE 2003 MODELS HAVE CHANGED TO A NON-BREAKABLE, BUT WILL NOT FIT THE 2002, THIS TELLS ME ENGINEERING SAW IT WAS A PROBLEM. SOMEONE COULD GET HURT@. I FILED VIA PHONE ( #1368) BUT THE LADY WHO TOOK MY INFO GOT IT ALL SCREWE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10036763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071740 · 2004-04-28 (April 28, 2004)
ALL FOUR TIRES DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BUBBLES, WHICH RESULTED IN A BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FRONT LEFT TIRE DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BUBBLES AGAIN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093104 · 2004-09-23 (September 23, 2004)
PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10093104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140751 · 2005-10-25 (October 25, 2005)
THE CAR HAS A KNOWN TSB THAT THE CAR MAY STALL AND SHUT DOWN IF IT IS AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE AND THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED 3 DAYS AGO. I WAS IN TRAFFIC WAITING IN TRAFFIC THE CAR JUST STALLED AND ROLLED BACK AND HIT THE GUY IN THE BACK LUCKY FOR ME IT WAS SITTING TRAFFIC. ONE OTHER TIME THE CAR WAS MAKING A SLOW SPEED TURN AND THE CAR SHUT OFF AND LOST POWER. THE CAR HAS A KNOWN TSB THAT THIS HAPPENS DUE TO A MALFUNCTIONED PCM. ALSO THIS CAR HAS A TSB STATING THAT A DRIVE PLATE IS MISMANUFACTURED AND HAPPENS TO ALL CA…
Owner-reported narrative. 46,059 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165686 · 2006-08-16 (August 16, 2006)
WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 ACURA 3.5 RL APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH (ROAD WAS FLAT AND STRAIGHT WITH NO POTHOLES, BUMPS, ETC.), THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SUDDENLY TWISTED OUTWARDS, WHICH LED TO THE CAR SKIDDING TO A STOP. THE CAR BASICALLY DROPPED ONTO THE LEFT FRONT TIRE (WHICH WAS FACING OUTWARDS - THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WAS VISIBLE WHILE STANDING IN FRONT OF CAR LOOKING TOWARDS BACK OF THE CAR). THE DAMAGE ESTIMATE IS BELIEVED TO BE GREATER THAN $4,000 PER THE BODY SHOP INSURANCE ESTIMATOR. I HAD AN OIL CHANGE SERVICE DONE 1 MONTH PRIOR AT AN ACURA DEAL…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165686 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10215905 · 2008-01-24 (January 24, 2008)
HANI ANTON BRAMPTON, ONTARIO CANADA L6Y 4R4 ACURA 2002 RL PURCHASED NEW FROM ACURA 2000 BRAMPTON, ONTARIO, CANADA IN 2003 VSA (VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST) ACTIVATES PREMATURELY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF MY CAR. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED AND TYPE OF ROAD CONDITIONS (DRY OR WET PAVEMENT). I HAVE TAKEN THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER AND THEY ARE OF NO HELP. NOTE THE VSA ACTIVATES AT ANY TIME AND WITH NO WARNING AND AT ANY SPEED INCLUDE HIGHWAY/FREEWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10215905 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V119000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2002-05-14 (May 14, 2002)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS, OIL WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO PREVENT RUST. THIS OIL CAN LEAK INTO THE BRAKE STOP SWITCH AND CONTAMINATE THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS.
Consequence: EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN ANY EXCESS OIL FROM THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THE STOP SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 16, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V027000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗