2002 Acura RL

Routine

Owners filed 43 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags18
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission5
000
Tires2
000
Structure › Body2
000
Service Brakes2
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission2
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline2
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc)2
000
Electrical System2
000
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module20V027000
Filed Jan 17, 2020875,966 vehiclesHonda (american Honda Motor Co.)

Defect. 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.

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.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch02V119000
Filed May 14, 200225,765 vehiclesAmerican Honda Motor Co.

Defect. 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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 2024GA

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 replacing the driver door side motor mount I gave her the part number from acura warehouse parts and she couldn't the part and told me it was discontinued part number 50815-sz3-033. There is no refund for the trouble that this part has cost me. The high pressure power steering switch is also discontinued. The navigation and security door locks are also not working no communication with onstar.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 17, 2024GA

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 safe for driving after spending 10000 dollars to repair the same issue. This is my frustration with safty and no support.

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 20, 2021TX

RACK AND PINION REPLACEMENT. EXTERIOR ISSUES: REAR BUMPER FELLED OFF; GASOLINE COVER WON'T CLOSED; DOOR HANDLES FALLING OFF; FUEL PUMP NEEDS REPLACEMENT

Air Bags
Filed Oct 5, 2020KS

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.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 18, 2020PA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 2, 202060,000 milesNY

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?

Air Bags
Filed Jul 9, 2020207,678 milesDC

THERE'S A RECALL ON MY CAR AIRBAGS

Air Bags
Filed Jul 7, 2020SC

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.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 1, 2020SC

TL* 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 UNAVAILABLE. 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 CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB

Air Bags
Filed Jun 29, 2020MA

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 UNAVAILABLE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *LN*JB

Air Bags
Filed Jun 24, 2020VA

I RECEIVED LETTER MARCH 2020 NOTIFYING ME OF SAFETY RECALL FOR AIRBAG MODULE AND INFLATOR- MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER H6S, NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 20V-027 FOR MY 2002 ACURA 3.5 RL. THE LETTER STATED I WAS TO WAIT FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS TO BE PREPARED AND I WOULD RECEIVE A FOLLOW UP LETTER WHEN SAID PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND THEN I WAS TO CALL AN ACURA DEALERSHIP AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. IT IS NOW JUNE 2020 AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A FOLLOW UP LETTER. I'VE SEARCHED ON THE HONDA AND ACURA WEBSITE FOR ANY KIND OF REMEDIES, BECAUSE THE LETTER STATES 'THE AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE DURING DEPLOYMENT, WITH METAL FRAGMENTS POSSIBLY STRIKING THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS, INCREASING THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.' I ENTERED MY VIN ON BOTH WEBSITES RECALL SEARCHES- WHICH TURNED UP NOTHING. THERE'S NO INDICATION OF A SOLUTION OR TIME FRAME. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND, BUT I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE TO DRIVE- SO I'M JUST CROSSING MY FINGERS. IT'S BEEN 60 DAYS SINCE THIS LETTER, AND I WAS INSTRUCTED TO WAIT BEFORE CONTACTING A DEALER WITH THIS. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 16, 2020OH

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 MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ACURA OF COLUMBUS (4340 DUBLIN GRANDVILLE RD, DUBLIN, OH 43017), WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS 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.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 9, 2020OH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V056000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JS

Air Bags
Filed May 18, 2020OR

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 AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ACURA OF SALEM (2475 COMMERCIAL ST SE, SALEM, OR 97302), AND WAS REJECTED TO BE SERVICED DUE TO THE PART NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 22, 2020PA

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 UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB

Electrical System
Filed Mar 26, 20208,600 milesTX

DOORS LOCK WHEN INSIDE, SITTING STATIONARY, AND CAN'T GET THEM TO UNLOCK FROM DRIVERS POSITION. PASSENGER MAY NEED TO GET OUT TO USE KEY TO UNLOCK FROM OUTSIDE.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 29, 201885,500 milesVA

"TAKATA RECALL" THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING IN CITY AT APPROXIMATELY 10MPH. I HAD JUST FINISHED GASING UP. AS I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED THE SRS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ONCE ARRIVING HOME, I BEGAN TO RESEARCH AND TROUBLESHOOT THE ISSUE. I CAME UP WITH 2 CODES. THE FIRST WAS 3-5, AND THE SECOND WAS 1-1. 3-5 WAS PERTAINING TO A GROUND FOR THE SEATBELT PRETENSIONER, DRIVER'S SIDE. 1-1 WAS PERTAINING TO A MODULE FOR AN AIRBAG. I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH SIDE. AS AFOREMENTIONED, THE RESEARCH I DID CONFIRMED THERE WERE SOME RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. IF SOMEONE COULD PLEASE GET BACK TO ME REGARDING THESE MATTERS AS SOON AS FEASIBLE IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

Air Bags
Filed Feb 6, 2018201,373 milesGA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 11, 2017KY

I SAW ON TV THERE IS A POSSIBLE RECALL ON TAKATA AIRBAGS ON MY CAR.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 11, 2016100,000 milesFL

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.

20 of 43 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2005
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20152000Routine
20121600Routine
20113600Routine
20109700Routine
20098610Routine
200813600Routine
200720710Routine
200632810Routine
20051251110Routine
200411000Routine
20039100Routine
2002 — this page43200Routine
200112210Routine
200059400Routine
199924210Routine
199811300Routine
199719200Routine
199622320Routine

Compare every RL year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 17, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.