2002 Acura RSX: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 76 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (23% of complaints); the 2003 and 2004 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Duralast 12volt battery post are smaller than they should be. It cause the battery terminal to came loose after a hard bump on the road. It resulted in my car losing power steering.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2026
“Odometer Fraud. The contact owned a 2002 Acura SRX. The contact stated that the vehicle was sold to a friend in a private sale. The new owner then attempted to sell the vehicle to another person, and upon obtaining the Carfax report, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 115,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 213,288.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2026
“The car stopped at an traffic intersection when making a left turn. Fortunately, the traffic was light. Later, a broken driver side cv axel was identified, which had sever corrosion inside the damper. the narrowest diameter is only 16mm vs 25mm of the axel.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving I started to smell fuel in the passenger compartment. Upon inspection of the fuel pump, I discovered that the plastic on top of the fuel pump had cracked filling up the top of the fuel tank cover with raw fuel. Some of the fuel had made its way into the passenger compartment while the rest leaked under the car on to the ground. My fear is if this goes undetected, the leaking fuel could make contact with exhaust components and cause a fire. While the fuel was leaking, there were no drivability issues other than the smell of fuel.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2019
“My car had a strong gas smell inside and outside vehicle whenever I drove it. I looked and found that the gas pump plastic housing was cracked in multiple places and a large amount of gas had leaked into the compartment under the seat and down below my vehicle.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2019
“The contact owns a 2022 Acura RSX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that there were holes underneath the front driver's and passenger's side seats. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 261,000. ”Owner report · Seats · Mar 2018
“Ever since I purchased the car it has had a smell of gas. I thought it would go away after a certain time but it didn't so I got the car checked out. I come to find out it has a gas leak. This is something very dangerous because it puts my life at risk and if anything happens the car could blow up. I purchased this car in june 2016 and im just a young 20 year man that is trying to make it through college.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura rsx. While driving approximately 15 mph and attempting to make a right turn, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. After turning the engine off and restarting the vehicle, it resumed normal operation. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2015
“Headlamps are very dull making visibility at night very difficult. There is currently an aftermarket recall for exterior lighting from (4) mfg's. I believe I have originals from the manufacturer.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2013
“2002 acura rsx. Consumer states problem with valve assembly *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle was diagnosed with a drc code of 91077. The dealer followed the repair step in order to correct the problem. They installed 17120-ppa-a01 valve assembly. However, when she went to pick the vehicle up, the light came back on and the dealer ordered another valve assembly. The consumer was informed that the light may still come on and they would have to follow certain diagnostic steps in order to get the engine light to go out. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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 RSX 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 RSX reliable?
NHTSA has 76 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Acura RSX. The most complained-about area is power train (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Acura RSX problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 48,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Acura RSX have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. 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.