RoadVitals

2002 Acura RL Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
43
Latest Oct 23, 2024
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since May 1, 2001

What this page shows

Our database holds 43 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Acura RL. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 43 · page 1 of 2

BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 23, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11621591
Incident
Oct 23, 2024
BrakesElectricalSuspension
Filed Apr 17, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11583589
Incident
Apr 17, 2024
Body & structureElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 20, 2021

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

NHTSA ID
11404011
Incident
Feb 1, 2021
Airbags
Filed Oct 5, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11362840
Incident
Oct 5, 2020
Airbags
Filed Sep 18, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11359780
Incident
Sep 18, 2020
Airbags
Filed Sep 2, 2020

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?

NHTSA ID
11352813
Incident
Sep 2, 2020
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 9, 2020

THERE'S A RECALL ON MY CAR AIRBAGS

NHTSA ID
11338508
Incident
Jan 16, 2020
Mileage
207,678 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Jul 7, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11337914
Incident
Mar 13, 2020
Airbags
Filed Jul 1, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11331927
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Airbags
Filed Jun 29, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11331430
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Airbags
Filed Jun 24, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11330668
Incident
Jun 24, 2020
Airbags
Filed Jun 16, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11329215
Incident
Jan 17, 2020
Airbags
Filed Jun 9, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11327927
Incident
Jun 9, 2020
Airbags
Filed May 18, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11325038
Incident
May 15, 2020
Airbags
Filed Apr 22, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11321920
Incident
Jan 17, 2020
Electrical
Filed Mar 26, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11319330
Incident
Oct 20, 2018
Mileage
8,600 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jul 29, 2018

"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!

NHTSA ID
11114362
Incident
Jul 27, 2018
Mileage
85,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 6, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11067232
Incident
Jan 5, 2018
Mileage
201,373 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 11, 2017

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

NHTSA ID
11053837
Incident
Dec 10, 2017
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed May 11, 2016

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 ID
10864456
Incident
May 2, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 9, 2016

INITIAL PROBLEM; SRS LIGHT , ADVISED BY ACURA TECHS PROBLEM WAS FAULTY OPDS OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM AND POSSIBLY OPDS SENSOR. (SAFETY ISSUE) 10/14/15. SINCE THAT TIME AIR BAG INOP LIGHT HAS ALSO DEPLOYED

NHTSA ID
10854524
Incident
Apr 9, 2016
Mileage
128,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 30, 2014

I HAVE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND UPON EXAMINATION NOTICED THAT THERE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE TELESCOPING MECHANISM IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I DID A SEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES AND MAY BE WELL KNOWN BY THE MANUFACTURE AS THEY DO NOT SELL THE INDIVIDUAL PIECE TO FIX THIS ISSUE BUT INSTEAD SELL THE WHOLE COLUMN AS A UNIT WHICH IS $2500. THE PROBLEM EXIST BECAUSE THEY MANAGED TO MERGE PLASTIC AND METAL TOGETHER TO CREATE A SCREW-DRIVE MOTOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10607151
Incident
May 22, 2014
Mileage
88,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 14, 2012

SRS INDICATOR IS ON AT DASHBOARD. CHECKED WITH THE DEALER , SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. ITS A SAFETY ITEM, SHOULD WORK THROUGH THE LIFE OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10443799
Incident
Dec 9, 2011
Mileage
130,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 19, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA RL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45-50 MPH WHEN THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED AN OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SYSTEM. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN EIGHT MONTHS. THE DEALER THEN ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CYCLE THE IGNITION FASTER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AND REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER TO DEACTIVATE THE SRS LIGHT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERN THAT WITH THE REPROGRAMMING OF THE COMPUTER, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 01/03/11

NHTSA ID
10350510
Incident
Jan 15, 2010
Mileage
65,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 4, 2010

CAR STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10341370
Incident
Jun 14, 2010
Mileage
76,500 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .