Model year record

2002 Acura RL recalls & problems

The 2002 Acura RL has 2 safety recalls and 43 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (18 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints43filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 17, 2020

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 20V027000875,966 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingMay 14, 2002

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 02V11900025,765 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: EVENTUALLY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2002 Acura 3.5 RL 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Air bags	18	0	128,000 mi
Power trainManual transmission; Automatic transmission	10	1	—
Electrical system	5	0	65,000 mi
Steering	4	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system	3	0	—
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower ball joint	3	0	—
Tires	2	0	—
StructureBody	2	0	—
Electronic stability control (esc)	2	0	—
Service brakes	2	0	—
Exterior lighting	1	0	—
Unknown	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
About 2013 the 2000 acura rl vsa and abs lights came on then the tilt on the steering wheel up and down stop working then the srs lights and seat belts light came on and want go off. So from then till now I have spent about 15k to correct the vsa and abs issues. Replace rotors bearing wheel sensor tires rack and pinion ball joints and power steering pressure hose. But I found out that the problem is the driver side motor mount. Cost is 100 for the part. The part to fix the issue is discontinued. I talk to daisy at acura corporation relations and disagreed with the answer because the motor mount is a common problem for acura 3.5rl because the angle sensor can not be connected with out…
Oct 23, 2024
Service brakes
This is a continuation complaint with national cemter for dispute settlement to fix safty issues and discontinued parts. The car is not 40 years old and i cannot find a maintenance repair book. The power door locks are coming on and off and the fob key do not work Sutton acuta in macon said it needs the antenna but the antenna is discontinued. The navigation system doesn't work because the 6 chamger dvd in the trunk is not working with no electrical tech support from on star. ABS VSA TRACHION CONTROL IS ON for motr tan 3 years but the VSA switch is discontinued part. The SRS light was turn off at the nally acura in Marietta but they came back on and been on for 3 or 5 years. The car is not…
Apr 17, 2024
Structure › Body
RACK AND PINION REPLACEMENT. EXTERIOR ISSUES: REAR BUMPER FELLED OFF; GASOLINE COVER WON'T CLOSED; DOOR HANDLES FALLING OFF; FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACEMENT
Feb 1, 2021
Air bags
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.
Oct 5, 2020
Air bags
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.
Sep 18, 2020
Air bags
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?
Sep 2, 2020 · 60,000 miles
Air bags
THERE'S A RECALL ON MY CAR AIRBAGS
Jan 16, 2020 · 207,678 miles
Air bags
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.
Mar 13, 2020

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.