The Lemon Index
200120032nd generation
188 owner complaints, first 3 years — combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 BMW 3 Series 662002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 772002 Lexus IS
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2002 Acura TL
- Transmission failure93 complaintsmostly at 30,000–82,000 miles (48,000–133,000 km)
- Engine stalling12 complaintsmostly at 30,000–86,000 miles (48,000–138,000 km)
- Rough or hard shifting9 complaintsmostly at 47,000–76,000 miles (76,000–123,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 333 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Acura TL (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 22,000 and 48,000 miles (35,000–78,000 km) (the middle half of the 102 complaints, of all 188 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V499000 (airbags), 19V182000 (airbags) and 15V320000 (airbags) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Acura sent dealers 194 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Information on servicing erratic shifting, slipping, and flare at upshifts”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Acura's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 188 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
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.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 22K to 48K miles (35K to 78K km) on the car (102 of all 188 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Sudden downshifts while driving at normal highway speed causing extreme speed changes.
2002 Acura TL owner · NHTSA complaint 10078274
More owner reports
At first the shifting on the car was very smooth, and car would jurk and it would try to shift. And later on, on the freeway transmission would not shift. Dt
NHTSA complaint 770590
While driving at highway speed transmission jerked. Consumer pulled over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership replaced the transmission four times, but problem recurred.
NHTSA complaint 10115393
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 194 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on servicing erratic shifting, slipping, and flare at upshifts
- Information on servicing the odometer, sport shift indicator illumination inoperative
- Concerns with automatic transmission fluid leak at axle seals, roaring noise, erratic shifting
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
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 a…
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
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 containi.
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
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 t…
Show all 7 recalls
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 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…
- Seat belts · recall issued 2001
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…
- Seat belts · recall issued 2001
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.
- Visibility · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH AN "AUTO-UP" POWER WINDOW FEATURE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
- ClosedRupturing driver's air bag inflators2009–2010
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Every Acura TL year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tl/?y=2002" title="Acura TL reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="445" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/acura-tl/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Acura TL reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Acura TL reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 3 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 303; 100 is average, lower is better). 2002 is one of the weaker years of a model that usually draws about half as many complaints as the average car. The Acura TL year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2002 Acura TL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (74%), brakes (7%) and speed control (6%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Acura TL have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage do 2002 Acura TL problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 22,000 and 48,000 miles (35,000–78,000 km) (the middle half of the 102 complaints, of all 188 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2002 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2002 Acura TL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 74% of its owner complaints.
What Acura TL year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2000 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner 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 years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works