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2002 Acura TL Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2002 Acura TL has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission replacement followed by repeat failure.” Acura's Maintenance Minder calculates oil life from real engine conditions and shows service codes instead of fixed mileages — code A or B (oil / oil + inspection) plus sub-codes for items like tire rotation (1), air filters (2), or transmission fluid (3). Follow the codes, not the calendar. One interval you should never stretch: most Acura 3.5L V6 engines (MDX, TL) use a timing belt with a roughly 105,000-mile / 7-year replacement — a snapped belt on this interference engine means bent valves. SH-AWD models add a rear-differential fluid service that's essential for the torque-vectoring unit.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Acura TL.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission replacement followed by repeat failure

POWER TRAIN

49 NHTSA complaints · 2004-10 → 2016-11

“TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR SECOND TIME. FIRST FAILED AFTER VEHICLE WAS 4 YEARS OLD WITH 30,000 MILES IN 2005. ACURA STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE UNDER WARRANTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10760596
“THE FIRST TIME, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER DUE TO A RECALL, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER, CONTROL MODULE TCM, AND FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10169822
“HAD RECALL ON TRANSMISSION REPLACED 07/2007. NOW 10/2010 TRANSMISSION IS DOING THE SAME THING. TOOK TO DEALER WAS TOLD IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD COST $3800.00”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10359487

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission slipping and harsh shifting

POWER TRAIN

65 NHTSA complaints · 2004-10 → 2023-04

“VEHICLE SHIFTS INTO GEAR OK UNTIL IT REACHES 40 MILES PER HOUR THEN GEAR STOPS SHIFTING AS IF THE GEARS AREN'T CATCHING. ONCE THE VEHICLE REACHES 50 MILES PER HOUR IT STARTS TO ACCELERATE OK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10968442
“TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT SMOOTHLY ANYMORE. IT SEEMS THAT 2ND GEAR IS GONE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON TOO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10433505
“TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING BETWEEN 2 AND 3 GEAR CONTACTED ACURA DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN'T HELP ME BECAUSE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I HAVE TO PAY FULL PRICE TO GET FIXED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10312443

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Interior rear view mirror fluid leak

VISIBILITY

7 NHTSA complaints · 2008-06 → 2011-03

“IT HAS AN AUTO-DIMMING INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR WHICH LEAKED AND SPRAYED A CORROSIVE BLACK LIQUID IN MY CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10340657
“A CHEMICAL LEAKED FROM REARVIEW MIRROR AND DAMAGED THE GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE.*TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10282218
“THE MIRROR ON MY ACURA TL 2002 IS SHOWING A LIQUID LEAK BETWEEN THE GLASS PANES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10346235

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front lower ball joint wear and separation

SUSPENSION

4 NHTSA complaints · 2005-08 → 2016-12

“THE BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, WHICH FRACTURED THE AXLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10933695
“ON NOVEMBER 19, 2007 THERE WAS A SUDDEN, COMPLETE, AND CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER BALL JOINT ON MY 2002 ACURA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10223282
“INSPECTION OF TWO FRONT LOWER BALL JOINTS FOUND TO BE WORN OUT. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 75,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10134983

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

SRS air bag warning light illuminated

AIR BAGS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2005-09 → 2025-06

“SRS LIGHT CAME ON FOR 4TH TIME; ACURA 3.2TL 2002”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10143016
“AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON & OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING & IN IDLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11042011
“THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 10V041000 (AIR BAGS); THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE NOVEMBER 2010 BUT THE SRS LIGHT WAS STILL ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10363492

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag inflator recall repair and parts availability

AIR BAGS

11 NHTSA complaints · 2009-12 → 2019-05

“THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V182000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11207550
“THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10638380
“THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL. HOWEVER, AFTER WAITING FOR ALMOST AN HOUR, HE WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10450908

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in a crash

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2006-03 → 2013-04

“VEHICLE TOTALED AFTER COLLIDING WITH GUARDRAIL AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10450600
“THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10400759
“WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK HEAD-ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING A 120 DEGREE CRASH. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10275456

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Blower motor connector and wiring melting

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2005-09 → 2013-06

“THE CONTACT RE-INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE FAN MOTOR CABLE, WHICH HAD OVERHEATED AND BURNED THE MOTOR WIRES AND PLASTIC PLUG IN THE UNIT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10521891
“LACK OF A/C AND HEAT. BLOWER MOTOR, RESISTOR CONTROL, AND CONNECTOR BURNED OUT. CONNECTOR SHOWED SIGN OF MELTING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10220317
“AN ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM REVEALED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS, WHICH CONNECTS TO THE A/C BLOWER MOTOR, HAD SEVERELY "MELTED" TO THE RECEPTACLE THAT IT PLUGS INTO ON THE BLOWER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10238072

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Oil & Filter (Maintenance Minder A/B)

Every 8,000 mi

Change when the Maintenance Minder reaches 15% oil life or shows code A/B — typically every 7,500-10,000 miles with 0W-20 synthetic. Short-trip city driving triggers the code sooner; that's the algorithm doing its job.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Timing Belt (3.5L V6 — MDX, TL)

Every 105,000 mi

J-series V6: replace the timing belt around 105,000 miles or 7 years (Maintenance Minder sub-code 4). It's an interference engine — a failed belt destroys valves. Replace the water pump and tensioner in the same job. (2022+ MDX 3.5L remains belt-driven; the Integra's turbo four is chain-driven.)

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate when sub-code 1 appears — roughly every 7,500 miles. SH-AWD models: keep tread depths matched across all four corners.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and fluid level with every A/B service. Type S models with Brembo front calipers: pads wear faster and cost more — budget ahead.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 3 years regardless of mileage — Honda/Acura schedules this on time because the fluid absorbs moisture.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Transmission Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF when sub-code 3 appears — commonly every 30,000-60,000 miles depending on duty. Use Honda/Acura ATF only (DW-1, or the 10-speed's specified fluid); aftermarket 'universal' ATF causes shudder in these gearboxes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

SH-AWD Rear Differential Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

SH-AWD (MDX, TLX, RDX): replace the rear differential fluid roughly every 30,000 miles (sub-code 6) — the torque-vectoring clutch packs run in this fluid, and whining or binding in tight turns is the classic overdue symptom.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 4)

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium plugs around 100,000 miles on most models. Turbocharged Integra/ADX engines: check the manual — forced induction typically shortens the interval.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 2)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace with sub-code 2, roughly every 30,000 miles — sooner in dusty conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 2)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace with sub-code 2 alongside the engine air filter. Behind the glovebox — an easy DIY on most Acuras.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Sub-code 5)

Every 100,000 mi

Honda/Acura Type 2 coolant: first change around 10 years / 100,000 miles, then every 5 years / 50,000. Use the blue Type 2 coolant only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

105 crashes 1990–2024

How the 105 occupant deaths break down

77

driver deaths

28

passenger deaths

105

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2001 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

25

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Acura TL reflects Acura's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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