2002 Acura Rl problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (15) · Power Train:manual Transmission (5) · Steering (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Acura Rl model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2020-01-17 · campaign 20V027000 · 875,966 vehicles
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 u
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.
Service bulletins (72)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Suspension 2019-07-11 · DORE5C4S09 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sku is a front upper ball joint. the customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for the outer diameter of the ball joint housing being too small. the outer diameter being too small would prevent the part from being installed, and would therefore have no impact on
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2018-01-10 · B18010I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
servicenews article - is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? we?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2018-01-10 · B18010I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
servicenews article - is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? we?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2017-09-26 · BTS170801 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tech line summary article - is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? we?re aware of this issue and have it under investigation.
Electrical System 2017-08-31 · BTS170801 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
tech line summary article - is the navigation screen clock reading 00:00? we?re aware of this issue and are looking for a solution.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2017-01-01 · BJA46167 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
sending vehicle data to tech line.
Showing the 6 most recent of 72 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-10-23 · Suspension“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 steerin…”
2024-04-17 · Suspension“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…”
2021-03-20 · 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…”
2020-10-05 · 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.…”
2020-09-18 · 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,…”
2020-09-02 · Air Bags · 60,000 mi“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?…”
2020-07-09 · Air Bags · 207,678 mi“there's a recall on my car airbags…”
2020-07-07 · Steering“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 …”
2020-07-01 · Air Bags“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 e…”
2020-06-29 · 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 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 aw…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.