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2002 Acura Rl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 15 of 43 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

2 reports
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100,000 miles · May 11, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN QUIT WORKING IN A POSITION THAT ISN'T GOOD FOR ME TO DRIVE, YOU CAN'T BUY A PART TO FIX THIS YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS A $2,500.00 REPAIR. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE POSITION IT QUIT WORKING FOR ME. I FEEL ACURA SHOULD FIX THIS OR REPLACE IT WITH A COLUMN THAT CAN BE REP…

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THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN QUIT WORKING IN A POSITION THAT ISN'T GOOD FOR ME TO DRIVE, YOU CAN'T BUY A PART TO FIX THIS YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS A $2,500.00 REPAIR. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE POSITION IT QUIT WORKING FOR ME. I FEEL ACURA SHOULD FIX THIS OR REPLACE IT WITH A COLUMN THAT CAN BE REPAIRED INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE WHOLE COLUMN. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN I TRIED TO ADJUST IT.

NHTSA ODI #10864456

55,000 miles · Jan 24, 2008
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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 TH…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10215905

Official recalls

2

20V027000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 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 & remedy

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.

02V119000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.