The Lemon Index2002 Acura MDX.
The 2002 Acura MDX is better than average by owner complaints: 34 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 63, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 17 mpg combined. The best Acura MDX year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 205 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Acura MDX year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 70K to 134K miles on the car (161 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 77K–130K miles
Recalls 4
- airbags 2020
These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair.
- suspension 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW H…
- transmission & drivetrain 2004
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 LEADIN…
Show all 4 recalls
- engine 2002
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SEDANS, COUPES, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, A TIMING BELT TENSIONER PULLEY ON THE WATER PUMP IS MISALIGNED AND COULD CAUSE THE TIMING BELT TO CONTACT A BOLT ON THE CYLINDER H…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 165 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding differential installation tips to prevent noise and vibration
- Gas recirculation valve (egr) surge/hesitation feels like automatic transmission problem
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFront coil spring breakage2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4700 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
When brakes were applied there was a popping sound, also, when switching from forward to reverse there was a popping sound.
2002 Acura MDX owner · NHTSA complaint 10068642
More owner reports
Consumer stated transmission was slipping. However, consumer had this problem for the last 2 years. Consumer took the vehicle to dealer several times, bu tproblem recurred.
NHTSA complaint 10099562
Upon starting the vehicle, there was a noise which also occurred while driving. The automatic transmission had to be replaced because it failed. Also, the rack and pinion had to be replaced at 12,000.
NHTSA complaint 10050450
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Acura MDX reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 63; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Acura MDX year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2002 Acura MDX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (38%), brakes (12%) and steering (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Acura MDX have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Acura MDX get?
17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Acura MDX problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 70,800 and 134,500 miles. The middle report was at 98,000 miles, from 161 complaints.
Does the 2002 Acura MDX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 38% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Acura MDX cost in fuel a year?
About $4700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Acura MDX have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Acura MDX year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2012 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works