2002 Acura Tl Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Acura Tl.

20012003
Complaints
403
Crashes
38
Fires
2
Injuries
30
Fatalities
1
Recalls
3

Worst 2002 Acura Tl Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1175 complaints

Automatic Transmission

Avg mileage:62,770 mi
Crash-related:3
#237 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:112,251 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:1
#331 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:118,829 mi
Crash-related:7
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Acura Tl.

Automatic Transmission
175
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
62,770
Transmission / Drivetrain
37
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
112,251
Airbags
31
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
118,829
Unintended Acceleration
14
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
Avg Miles
31,250
Electrical Faults
10
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
159,382
Manual Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
33,550
Engine Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
210,000
Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
128,306
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
29,618
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
90,551
Other Equipment
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
36,950
Tires:Sidewall
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
17,067
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Acura Tl. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2002 Acura Tl

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~7,386,524 vehicles.

19V499000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~3,947 affected

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.

19V182000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~1,101,534 affected

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.

15V320000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~6,281,043 affected

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.

Other Acura Tl Years

2002 Acura Tl — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2002 Acura Tl reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2002 Acura Tl has 403 NHTSA complaints, 38 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 175 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Acura Tl?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (175 complaints, avg 62,770 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (37 complaints, avg 112,251 mi); Airbags (31 complaints, avg 118,829 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Acura Tl?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 78,235 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Acura Tl?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Acura Tl include 38 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 30 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Acura Tl have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 7,386,524 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2002 Acura Tl?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Acura Tl reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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