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
What owners actually said
43 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2003
Exterior Lighting
2002 BRAND NEW ACURA [XXX]. FRONT FOF LAMPS ARE MADE OF BREAKABLE GLASS. SO FAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWICE. THIS GLASS ID HEAVY/LARGE CHUNKS THAT COULD CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE. THIS GLASS BREAKS IN SHARDS AND IT VERY DANGEROUS. A PIECE BLEW UP AND SCRATCHED PAINT. THE DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING THE FOG LIGHTS WITH SAME BREAKABLE. THE…
Read full complaint
2002 BRAND NEW ACURA [XXX]. FRONT FOF LAMPS ARE MADE OF BREAKABLE GLASS. SO FAR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWICE. THIS GLASS ID HEAVY/LARGE CHUNKS THAT COULD CAUSE TIRE DAMAGE. THIS GLASS BREAKS IN SHARDS AND IT VERY DANGEROUS. A PIECE BLEW UP AND SCRATCHED PAINT. THE DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING THE FOG LIGHTS WITH SAME BREAKABLE. THE 2003 MODELS HAVE CHANGED TO A NON-BREAKABLE, BUT WILL NOT FIT THE 2002, THIS TELLS ME ENGINEERING SAW IT WAS A PROBLEM. SOMEONE COULD GET HURT@. I FILED VIA PHONE ( #1368) BUT THE LADY WHO TOOK MY INFO GOT IT ALL SCREWED UP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10036763
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2003
Power Train
2004 ACURA RL , CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH GEAR SHIFTER IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10032372
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
PROBLEM IS WITH THE FILTRATION SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA ODI #10006617
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE STALLS WHILE MAKING A TURN. VEHICLE RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO DEALER, AND WILL BE MAKING THE CORRECTION. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8012939
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2002
Power Train
GET A VERY BAD 'GRIND' GOING INTO 2ND GEAR, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS COLD. IT TAKES ABOUT 25 MINUTES OF DRIVING UNTIL IT STARTS TO SHIFT SMOOTHLY. THE COLDER THE WEATHER IS OUTSIDE THE WORST THE PROBLEM IS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL BEHAVIOR, YOU CAN FEEL THE GEARS GRINDING IN THE TRANSMISSION. YES, THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS BEING PUSHED ALL…
Read full complaint
GET A VERY BAD 'GRIND' GOING INTO 2ND GEAR, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS COLD. IT TAKES ABOUT 25 MINUTES OF DRIVING UNTIL IT STARTS TO SHIFT SMOOTHLY. THE COLDER THE WEATHER IS OUTSIDE THE WORST THE PROBLEM IS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL BEHAVIOR, YOU CAN FEEL THE GEARS GRINDING IN THE TRANSMISSION. YES, THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS BEING PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE SHIFTER IS BEING PULLED STRAIGHT BACK. I HAVE SPOKE WITH MANY ACURA RSX TYPE-S OWNERS AND THEY ARE ALL HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A PETITION WITH OVER 60 SIGNATURES FROM OTHER RSX OWNERS WITH NAME VIN'S AND DESCRIPT OF THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE REPORT THIS PROBLEM TO ACURA IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET INTO 2ND GEAR AND THE TRANSMISSIONS IS GRINDING SO BAD IT LOCKS YOU OUT.*AK
NHTSA ODI #756670
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2001
Power Train
WHEN SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION FREQUENTLY MAKES A CRUNCHING SOUND IN ADDITION TO HAVING A NOTCHY FEELING. OCCASIONALLY TRANSMISSION WILL POP OUT OF 2ND GEAR WHEN ENGAGING THE CLUTCH. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE WILLOW GROVE SUSSMAN ACURA SERVICE CENTER, A TECHNICIAN CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THE…
Read full complaint
WHEN SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION FREQUENTLY MAKES A CRUNCHING SOUND IN ADDITION TO HAVING A NOTCHY FEELING. OCCASIONALLY TRANSMISSION WILL POP OUT OF 2ND GEAR WHEN ENGAGING THE CLUTCH. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE WILLOW GROVE SUSSMAN ACURA SERVICE CENTER, A TECHNICIAN CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THE RSX TYPE-S'S 6 SPEED TRANMISSION SINCE ITS 1ST AND 2ND GEARS HAVE TRIPLE CONE SYNCROS. HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO FOR THIS TRANMISSION PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #754376
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2001
Power Train
TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN UPSHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR INTO SECOND GEAR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #754184
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2001
Power Train
WHEN IT IS COLD OUT THERE IS A NOTCH GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. WITH THE CLUTCH FULLY DEPRESSED AS YOU SHIFT FROM THE 1ST GEAR GATE TO THE 2ND GEAR GATE THERE IS A SLIGHT GRIND AND DIFFICULTY GETTING INTO GEAR. THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY ONCE THE CAR IS WARMED UP.*AK
NHTSA ODI #753920
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2001
Power Train
GETTING INTO SECOND GEAR IS VERY 'NOTCHY' AND GETS VERY BAD IN COLD WEATHER AND WHEN THE TRANMISSION IS NOT WARMED UP. AT TIMES IT CAN BE VERY HARD TO GET INTO 2ND GEAR AND IT GRINDS, THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OTHER RSX TYPE-S OWNERS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET INTO SECOND GEAR…
Read full complaint
GETTING INTO SECOND GEAR IS VERY 'NOTCHY' AND GETS VERY BAD IN COLD WEATHER AND WHEN THE TRANMISSION IS NOT WARMED UP. AT TIMES IT CAN BE VERY HARD TO GET INTO 2ND GEAR AND IT GRINDS, THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY OTHER RSX TYPE-S OWNERS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET INTO SECOND GEAR AND YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO.*AK
NHTSA ODI #753882
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2001
Structure
FRONT WHEEL WELL LINERS HAVE CRACKED UNDER THE MOUNTING SCREWS. PIECES OF PLASTIC ARE READY TO FALL OFF AND EXPOSE THE SCREWS, WHICH ARE LIKELY TO LOOSEN AND FALL OFF AS WELL. POSSIBLE FURTHER DAMAGE FROM FALLING OFF MOUNTINS SCREWS, AND, IN AN AGGRAVATED CASES, WHEEL LINERS. *AK
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.
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.
2002 Acura Rl Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration