Model year record

2002 Acura TL

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 406 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V499000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Vehicles affected: 3,947
Reported to NHTSA: 2019-06-27
Owners notified: 2019-08-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 19V182000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Vehicles affected: 1,101,534
Reported to NHTSA: 2019-03-06
Owners notified: 2019-04-10

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V320000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Vehicles affected: 6,281,043
Reported to NHTSA: 2015-05-28
Owners notified: 2015-07-01

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V176000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component: Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer: HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Vehicles affected: 1,099,796
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-04-15
Owners notified: 2004-04-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

GEAR FAILURE COULD RESULT IN TRANSMISSION LOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V166002

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component: Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected: 8,168
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-08-14
Owners notified: 2001-08-20

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V166001

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component: Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected: 9,034
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-05-24
Owners notified: 2001-05-09

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V161000

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Component: Visibility: power window devices and controls
Manufacturer: AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.
Vehicles affected: 10,575
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-05-03
Owners notified: 2001-05-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE AUTO-REVERSE SYSTEM FAILURE COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Power train: automatic transmission	175	45,000 mi
Power train	37	104,530 mi
Air bags	33	135,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	14	20,000 mi
Electrical system	10	157,672 mi
Power train: manual transmission	7	19,099 mi
Engine	6	210,000 mi
Service brakes	6	134,919 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	6	22,000 mi
Unknown or other	6	73,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	5	99,000 mi
Equipment	5	20,000 mi
Tires: sidewall	5	16,700 mi
Air bags: frontal	4	94,000 mi
Steering	4	96,000 mi
Structure: body	4	73,000 mi
Visibility	4	64,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module	3	77,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	3	10,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	3	—
Seat belts	3	65,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	3	18,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	3	77,440 mi
Tires	3	9,223 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	73,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	2	110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	2	—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	2	85,000 mi
Exterior lighting	2	169,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	2	25,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	2	134,000 mi
Seats	2	80,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	2	15,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	2	—
Structure	2	85,578 mi
Suspension	2	140,047 mi
Visibility/wiper	2	110,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	176,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	103,040 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	—
Exterior lighting: fog lights	1	20,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines	1	127,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift	1	59,621 mi
Power train: axle assembly	1	40,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly	1	176,000 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint	1	20,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly	1	—
Seats: front assembly: head restraint	1	121 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper	1	41,470 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	1	103,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections	1	76,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments	1	—
Structure: body: roof and pillars	1	20,000 mi
Suspension: front	1	91,000 mi
Suspension: rear	1	—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	43,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	76,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	1	103,040 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	1	170,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	82,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior	1	48,000 mi

The 2001 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

EA15001Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Air bags: frontal

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.