2002 Acura TL recalls and problems

7 recalls and 333 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Acura TL.

7
recalls
333
owner complaints
25
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Acura TL recalls

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 19V499000 · reported June 27, 2019 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · 3,947 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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.

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 19V182000 · reported March 6, 2019 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · 1,101,534 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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.

Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 15V320000 · reported May 28, 2015 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) · 6,281,043 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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.

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 04V176000 · reported April 15, 2004 · HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) · 1,099,796 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
The fix
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.

Seat belts: front, buckle assembly

NHTSA campaign 01V166002 · reported August 14, 2001 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. · 8,168 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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."
The risk
In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.
The fix
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.

Seat belts: front, buckle assembly

NHTSA campaign 01V166001 · reported May 24, 2001 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. · 9,034 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.
The fix
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.

Visibility: power window devices and controls

NHTSA campaign 01V161000 · reported May 3, 2001 · AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. · 10,575 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
The auto-reverse system failure could result in occupant injury.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 21, 2026 · Air bags · 167,000 miles · crash reported

The contact owns a 2002 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving under 10 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. During the crash the front driver’s and front passenger’s side air bags deployed. During the air bags deployment, the driver sustained a left-hand injury that later required…

Oct 12, 2025 · Air bags

The high pressure power steering hose on my car is leaking. Issues with Air bags

Jun 30, 2025 · 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…

Apr 12, 2023 · Power train

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

May 22, 2021 · Service brakes

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…

TL model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 6249183
2001 314882
2002 7333252
2003 5391244
2004 4551136
2005 538873

Across all years, the 2004 TL has the most complaints (551). All Acura TL years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Acura TL have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2002 Acura TL, the most recent reported on June 27, 2019 (Air bags: frontal, driver side, inflator module). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Acura TL?
Owners have filed 333 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (224 complaints), followed by air bags (42).
How many 2002 Acura TL complaints mention a crash or fire?
25 of 333 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 17 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 21, 2026.