2002 Acura RSX Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 26%of 76 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Acura RSX, 26% of the 76 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving and shifted from 2nd to third and I let out the clutch at 30 MPH and the transmission came apart with gears on the ground. Acura never called the warranty company so it was never fixed and they reposed it.”
NHTSA complaint #10227767, filed 2008-05, 98,000 miles“I've had transmission problems ever since I purchased the new RSX in 02... This problem has been widely reported on the internet... However Acura has failed to address this issue... The problem only got worse over time and finally the engine blew out completely and starting smoking while driving on the freeway... Was very fortunate that no crash occurred but injuries/fatalities could have easily resulted. Acura has failed to own-up to this engine/transmission failure issue, even in cases where the warranty is still valid... …”
NHTSA complaint #10253920, filed 2009-01, 50,000 miles“I decided to take the car to esserman international dealer for an inspection. On march 11, 2003 after I explained the noises and wait a whole morning, I was given my car back and informed that there was nothing wrong with the brakes. April 14 I returned to the same dealer and explained that I still heard the cracking noise and that it was hard to brake. Once again my car was returned to me and informed that there was nothing wrong with the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10064141, filed 2004-03, 24,500 miles“My 2002 Acura RSX-s was difficult to shift into 2nd and 3rd gears. This is a safety issue because you may pull out and need to accelerate and you can not. Rosenthal Acura looked at the car and said it needed some parts for 3rd gear. They took the car apart and found a broken shift fork lever. Acura corp said that this was not covered under warranty even though my 50,000 mile powertrain warranty is still in effect. They did not give any reason for denying my claim. …”
NHTSA complaint #10062036, filed 2004-03, 48,000 miles“I bought a certified pre-own 2002 Acura RSX - s on 9/17/2004 from ocean Acura, ocean nj. I even bought the extended warranty. The dealer said they have done over 100 points check and have done all necessary maintenance. Within two and half week, I am experincing transmission problem shifting from second to third and sometime a grinding sound. I have made an appointment with the dealer to bring in the car on 10/13/04. That appointment never took place because the car broke down on 10/09/04. …”
NHTSA complaint #10096154, filed 2004-10, 39,535 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10026204Jul 18, 2008Acura: 6 speed manual transmission grinds when shifting into 3rd gear, pops out of 3rd gear, or is hard to shift into 3rd gear. Transmission has a faulty 3rd gear synchronizer or…
- 10018865Dec 16, 2005Transmission grinds at shifts, skip shifting.
- 10018335Dec 1, 2004Harsh or noisy downshifts when slowing down. Acura servicenews.
- 10014549Nov 16, 2004Harsh 3-2 and or 2-1 downshift.
- 10013911Oct 1, 2004A/t solenoid replacement criteria.
- 10013745Sep 16, 2004Automatic transmission solenoid replacement criteria. Acura tech line summary for dealer distribution.
- 10012660Apr 6, 2004Squeak at the clutch pedal.
- 10014344Dec 1, 2003Atf (automatic transmission fluid) leaks from cooler line banjo bolt.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Acura RSX
16 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Acura RSX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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