2002 Acura RL problems
The 2002 Acura RL has 54 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (33%) concerns air bags. Next are transmission (17%) and electrical system (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 54 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 33% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 81,000 miles 18 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Of the 18 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 81,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 95% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the Acura RL with enough data (15 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
Consumer states after parking vehicle in garage, he noticed an air leak, consumer took vehicle in to be inspected and was advised that tire is not repairable tire has a hole in the side.
When slowing down and hitting the brakes engine will stall. Vehicle does this intermittently without warning. Also, had transmission replaced, and vehicle did it again. Contacted dealer.
Initial problem; SRS light , advised by acura techs problem was faulty opds occupant position detection system and possibly opds sensor. (safety issue) 10/14/15. Since that time air bag inop light has also deployed
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 acura rl. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer issued eight tsbs on the air bags, but no air bag recalls. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 201,373.