Acura · TL · 2002
7
Recalls
331
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 Acura TL has 7 recalls and 331 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: power train (196 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Remedy Status
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH AN "AUTO-UP" POWER WINDOW FEATURE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW CONTROL UNIT CAN FAIL, AND DEPENDING ON THE FAILURE MODE, THE WINDOW COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OPEN OR CLOSE INDEPENDENT OF SWITCH ACTIVATION, OR THE AUTO-REVERSE SYSTEM MAY NOT OPERATE.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 21, 2001. 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 1-800-999-1009.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy Status
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V-593, 09V-259, 10V-041, 11V-260, 14V-351 and 15V-153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." CERTAIN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 9, 2001. 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 1-800-999-1009.
ON SOME MINI VANS, SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN HEAT BUILD-UP BETWEEN THE COUNTERSHAFT AND SECONDARY SHAFT SECOND GEARS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO GEAR TOOTH CHIPPING OR GEAR BREAKAGE.
Remedy Status
ON VEHICLES WITH 15,000 MILES OR LESS, THE DEALER WILL UPDATE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A SIMPLE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE TO INCREASE LUBRICATION TO THE SECOND GEAR. ON VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 15,000 MILES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION TO IDENTIFY GEARS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IF DISCOLORATION EXISTS, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED IF DISCOLORATION IS NOT PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM THE REVISION TO THE OIL COOLER RETURN LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004, FOR PILOT, ODYSSEY, AND MDX OWNERS. OWNERS OF THE ACCORD VEHICLES WILL START RECEIVING LETTERS ON JUNE 28, 2004, AND ON JUNE 29, 2004, FOR OWNERS OF THE TL AND CL VEHICLES. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES WERE REPAIRED WITH INCORRECT PARTS: 2002 ACURA 3.2TL SEDANS WITH REPLACEMENT BUCKLES INSTALLED PER RECALL 01V-166001; CERTAIN 2000 ACURA 3.2TL VEHICLES WITH REPLACEMENT BUCKLES INSTALLED AS PRODUCT UPDATE REPAIRS; AND CERTAIN 2000-2002 ACURA 3.2TL VEHICLES WITH REPLACEMENT BUCKLES INSTALLED AS WARRANTY OR COLLISION REPAIRS. REPAIRS WERE MADE FROM MARCH 9 THROUGH JULY 27, 2001. SOME OF THE NONCOMPLIANT BUCKLES WERE MISLABELED AND REDISTRIBUTED TO ACURA DEALERS TO BE USED AS RECALL REPAIR PARTS. HONDA ALSO DETERMINED THAT INCORRECT FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE USED FOR SOME PRODUCT UPDATE REPAIRS OF 2000 ACURA 3.2TL VEHICLES, AND WARRANTY OR COLLISION REPAIRS OF 2000-2002 3.2TL VEHICLES. THESE SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 20, 2001. 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 1-800-999-1009.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy Status
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
The high pressure power steering hose on my car is leaking. Issues with Air bags
The "SRS" dashboard red light illuminated and stays on. On May 19, 2029 Acura "Replaced Driver S/B." Acura Dealer and Manufacturer are both telling me that my "Inflator" and "Airbag Module" is not covered again since there has been no recall by Acura or NHTSA. Please advise me as to warranty a second time at no cost to me?
Slipping , shift feels like it’s losing power and jerks and sputter . Check engine lights is on now . Throwing a P0730 code .. transmission fluid level are where is supposed to be and clean
My car has been automatically shutting off while driving. Bringing my car to a halt, not a full on stop but to the point my wheels lock up. Sort of like im slamming on my brake but I can't press my brake. I lose power steering, the entire car shuts off. Then I have to try and restart it, but it won't turn over. Sometimes its just for a few minutes. Other times Im stranded for hours. A few times its been days. After it dies and i turn the key off and then back on but not over ill have power. I have a kid and we've been stranded on an on ramp with cars going 60 all around us. The car just randomly shut off in the middle of the road. There's a lot of traffic around these parts and we were stuck, not even being able to get out of the vehicle with the cars going on each side of us. Ive done some research and ive seen thousands of other complaints about this issue since 2002. Ive had 3 different mechanics try to figure out what the issue was. Have had my car at the shop for weeks at a time. A few times even the mechanics couldn't get it started, and it had to sit for 3 days before it would start up again. The check engine light is on and all 3 different mechanics have fixed everything thats came up. After this started happening ive had to replace brakes and rotors several times. My car started shifting way to late. And feels like its starting to slip. This is a safety hazzard. Especially in larger cities.
VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY WITH KIDS IN THE CAR, DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW BUTTON FAILED TO OPERATE. HINSHAW'S ACURA (5955 20TH ST E, FIFE, WA 98424, (253) 922-8830) WAS INFORMED OF THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,672.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V499000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED CROWN ACURA (LOCATED AT 18911 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33764, (888) 642-5567) AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V182000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. GARRY FORCE ACURA (1634 WESTGATE CIR, BRENTWOOD, TN 37027 (615) 377-0500) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. (PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT).
WE GOT AN APRIL 2019 LETTER FOR AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL WHICH CAME TOO LATE! MY CAR WAS TOTALED IN A ACCIDENT IN WHICH BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IT DID CAUSE HURTFUL PRESSURE ON MY GRANDSON'S CHEST WITH AN EMERGENCY BILL OVER $500 AND 2 DAYS OF LOSSES WAGES. OK FOR WHICH WE HAD NO COMPENSATION. CAR WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY STREET IN WHICH THE OTHER PARTY WAS TICKETED ON AN ILLEGAL U TURN.
TAKATA RECALL
TAKATA RECALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH KEY INTERLOCK FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH KEY INTERLOCK FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
VIOLENT SHIFTING - PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM ENGLES AUTO IN SUMNER - SAME DAY DROVE THIS VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY AND AN HOUR INTO THE ROAD TRIP THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SUDDENLY APPLY THE BRAKES. FOLLOWING THIS IT BEGAN SHIFTING VIOLENTLY UP OR DOWN. FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND AFTER TALKING WITH ACURA WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS ALREADY ADDRESSED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT ($2500-$3000 ESTIMATE) IMMEDIATELY TOLD CAR DEALERSHIP I WANTED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE AND GET A REFUND AND ALL I GOT FROM THEM WAS THE RUN AROUND.
MY VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTED AIRBAG. IT HAS YET TO DEPLOY, HOWEVER I WAS INFORMED BY THE TK HOLDINGS INC. THAT THE AIRBAG ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL IS DEFECTED.
VEHICAL SLIPS OUT OF GEARS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY ALSO FEELS LIKE THE CAR WHEELS OR MAYBE EVEN THE TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP WHILE ON THE HWY . A VERY BAD JERK , IT SEEMS LIKE THE GEARS ARE LOCKING UP FOR A QUICK SECOND AFTER THE JERK IT WILL PROCEED ON . THE JERKS. THESE JERKS ARE STARTING TO DAMAGE MY SUSPENSION AND ALSO MY GEARS.. THERE WAS ASAFETY RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSOION GEARS .I HAVE TAKEN MY VHICAL TO ACURA OF CERRITTOS AND THEY REFUSED TO INSPECT AND NOTIFY ME OF MY VEHICAL TRANSMISSION GEARS STATUS THEY SAID THERE WAS A OIL LINE THAT WAS ADDED BUT THEY CANT SHOW ME WHERE THE WORK WAS DONE. WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICAL HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP ACURA OF CERRITOS THIS TRANSMISSION GEARS STARTED LOCKING UP SO BAD THAT THE JERKS INJURED ME MY GIRLFRIEND AND 3 OF OUR KIDS AND DAMAGED MY STEERING AND SUSPENSION. PLEASE HELP
AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON & OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING & IN IDLE .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR KEPT ILLUMINATING. FLOW ACURA (425 SILAS CREEK PKWY, WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27127, (336) 723-3524) INITIALLY DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES WERE MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER A TEST WAS PERFORMED, THE INDICATOR REMAINED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH. WHEN THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ANOTHER ACURA DEALER (CROWN ACURA, 3908 W WENDOVER AVE, GREENSBORO, NC 27407) CHANGED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SECOND DEALER HAD TO ORDER ANOTHER PART AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED SRS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. DEALERSHIP FILE HAS A LOG/ HISTRY OF THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE PLUS MULTI REPAIRS WORK DONE ON THE SRS LIGHT BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*JB
VEHICLE SHIFTS INTO GEAR OK UNTIL IT REACHES 40 MILES PER HOUR THEN GEAR STOPS SHIFTING AS IF THE GEARS AREN'T CATCHING. ONCE THE VEHICLE REACHES 50 MILES PER HOUR IT STARTS TO ACCELERATE OK. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY
TAKATA RECALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE COLLAPSED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, WHICH FRACTURED THE AXLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BOTH COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2002 Acura TL has 7 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 331 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Acura TL.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 Acura TL.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 Acura TL are power train (196 reports), air bags (30 reports), vehicle speed control (10 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 7 recalls on record for the 2002 Acura TL. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.