MYRModel Year Report

2002 Acura RSX

○ Not enough data
2002 Acura RSX
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:27:01.806Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Acura RSX Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 2001: 2 complaints 2001 2002: 76 complaints 2002 2003: 25 complaints 2003 2004: 17 complaints 2004 2005: 32 complaints 2005 2006: 24 complaints 2006 2007: 1 complaints 2007 2008: 1 complaints 2008
2002: 76 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20012
200276
200325
200417
200532
200624
20071
20081

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

POWER TRAIN 28%

28% of complaints: power train — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission and automatic transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA RSX TYPE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-60 MPH, THE THIRD GEAR SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120309

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 22%

22% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing catalytic convertor and exhaust system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

2002 ACURA RSX. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VALVE ASSEMBLY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DRC CODE OF 91077. THE DEALER FOLLOWED THE REPAIR STEP IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120912

AIR BAGS 18%

18% of complaints: air bags — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED AND BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING 100 MPH. THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER FEELS HAD THEY GONE OFF IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE CLAVICLE BONE FRACTURE THE DRIVER SUSTAINED. *JG *JB *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20030109

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE AND FRONTAL IMPACT, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020521

ON 12/11/01 MY 3 1/2 MONTH OLD RSX-S WAS TOTALLED. A 1990 CHEVY TRUCK SMASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR AND CRUSHED IT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020109

SERVICE BRAKES 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

STRUCTURE 7%

7% of complaints: structure — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing bumpers and frame and members.

Show complaint excerpts

THE RSX IS A BRAND NEW CAR THAT HAS ONLY BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR ABOUT SIX WEEKS. THE CAR HAS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN DRIVEN BY SMALLER ADULTS. BASICALLY, SMALLER ADULTS CAN NOT SEE EFFECTIVELY OUT OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20010914

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20060509 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM

Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060510 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFOR

Remedy: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.

Campaign 06E038000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — exterior lighting

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.

Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Acura RSX — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (17 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E038000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2002 Acura RSX reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Acura RSX?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Acura RSX have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.