2002 Acura RL Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 23%of 43 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,059miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Acura RL, 23% of the 43 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,059 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car has a known TSB that the car may stall and shut down if it is at very low speeds. This has happened to me twice and the last time it happened 3 days ago. I was in traffic waiting in traffic the car just stalled and rolled back and hit the guy in the back lucky for me it was sitting traffic. One other time the car was making a slow speed turn and the car shut off and lost power. The car has a known TSB that this happens due to a malfunctioned PCM. …”
NHTSA complaint #10140751, filed 2005-10, 46,059 miles“Get a very bad 'grind' going into 2nd gear, when the transmission is cold. It takes about 25 minutes of driving until it starts to shift smoothly. The colder the weather is outside the worst the problem is. This is not normal behavior, you can feel the gears grinding in the transmission. Yes, the clutch pedal is being pushed all the way to the floor and the shifter is being pulled straight back. I have spoke with many Acura rsx type-s owners and they are all having this problem. I have a petition with over 60 signatures from other rsx owners with name VIN's and descript of the same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #756670, filed 2002-01“Rack and pinion replacement. Exterior issues: rear bumper felled off; gasoline cover won't closed; door handles falling off; fuel pump needs replacement”
NHTSA complaint #11404011, filed 2021-03“Getting into second gear is very 'notchy' and gets very bad in cold weather and when the tranmission is not warmed up. At times it can be very hard to get into 2nd gear and it grinds, this has been reported by many other rsx type-s owners I have spoken with. This can be very dangerous if you are trying to get into second gear and you are not able to.”
NHTSA complaint #753882, filed 2001-10“When it is cold out there is a notch going from 1st to 2nd gear. With the clutch fully depressed as you shift from the 1st gear gate to the 2nd gear gate there is a slight grind and difficulty getting into gear. The problem goes away once the car is warmed up.”
NHTSA complaint #753920, filed 2001-10Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 13% |
| 2007 | 1 | 5% |
| 2006 | 1 | 3% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 1 | 9% |
| 2003 | 1 | 11% |
| 2002 | 10 | 23% |
| 2001 | 5 | 42% |
| 2000 | 7 | 12% |
| 1999 | 2 | 8% |
| 1998 | 2 | 18% |
| 1997 | 4 | 21% |
| 1996 | 3 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2002 Acura RL
18 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Acura RL
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology