2002 Acura RL: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 43 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (40% of complaints); the 2001 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Rack and pinion replacement. Exterior issues: rear bumper felled off; gasoline cover won't closed; door handles falling off; fuel pump needs replacement”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2021
“I recieved a notice of recall about the air bags more than 10 months ago and dealer says they do not have part yet. When will the part be in? We don't want to wait until their is a problem.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 acura rl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Bobby rahal acura (6694 carlisle pike, mechanicsburg, pa 17050 (717) 790-6000) was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Acura dealership said takata airbag part would take 1 year to come in. Obviously this is dangerous and unacceptable. What is the workaround? Is there a class action lawsuit?”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura rl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v056000 (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. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 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. The vehicle was taken to acura of salem (2475 commercial st se, salem, or 97302), and was rejected to be serviced due to the part not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 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 steering warning light was illuminated. The contact called acura of augusta (1760 gordon hwy, augusta, ga 30904, (706) 426 9817) where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure milage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura rl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. *bf*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 acura rl. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v027000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. *ln*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2020
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2002 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. Acura of columbus (4340 dublin grandville rd, dublin, oh 43017), was contacted and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact RL by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Acura RL reliable?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Acura RL. The most complained-about area is air bags (40% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Acura RL problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 76,500 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Acura RL have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.