2002 Acura MDX Reliability
The 2002 Acura MDX has 222 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and air bags. Compared with nearby MDX model years (2001–2004), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the MDX's typical year.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
222
NHTSA owner complaints
4
Recall campaigns
11
Complaints citing a crash
2
Complaints citing a fire
2002 Acura MDX complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 model year, filed between 2001 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 135 | 61% |
| Air bags | 23 | 10% |
| Engine & cooling | 18 | 8% |
| Speed control / throttle | 13 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 5% |
| Body structure | 8 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 6 | 3% |
| Suspension | 5 | 2% |
2002 Acura MDX recalls
4 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2002 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02V226000 | Aug 28, 2002 | Engine & cooling — engine | On certain minivans, sedans, coupes, and sport utility vehicles equipped with v6 engines, a timing belt tensioner pulley on the water pump is misaligned and could cause the timing belt to contact a bolt on the cylinder head. Eventually the belt could be… |
| 04V176000 | Apr 15, 2004 | Powertrain / transmission — automatic transmission | 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… |
| 05V385000 | Sep 1, 2005 | Suspension — front / springs / coil springs | On certain sport utility vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio,… |
| 20V027000 | Jan 17, 2020 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These… |
How the 2002 compares with nearby MDX years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year MDX analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 224 | 4 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2002 (this page) | 222 | 4 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2003 | 212 | 13 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2004 | 171 | 10 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2002 Acura MDX
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Engine & cooling: look for coolant leaks or low coolant, watch the temperature gauge on a long test drive, and check for overheating history.
- Throttle and speed control: check for surging, hesitation or a reduced-power warning, and test cruise control.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 4 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2002 Acura MDX can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2002 Acura MDX reliability FAQ
Is the 2002 Acura MDX reliable?
The 2002 Acura MDX has 222 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about powertrain / transmission and air bags. Compared with nearby MDX model years (2001–2004), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the MDX's typical year.
What are the most common 2002 Acura MDX problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Acura MDX are powertrain / transmission (135), air bags (23), engine & cooling (18), speed control / throttle (13). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2002 Acura MDX have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 Acura MDX, including 02V226000 (engine & cooling — engine) and 04V176000 (powertrain / transmission — automatic transmission). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2002 Acura MDX compare with the 2001 and 2003 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2001 has 224 complaints and 4 recalls (avoid); the 2003 has 212 complaints and 13 recalls (avoid). The 2002 has 222 complaints and 4 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2002 Acura MDX?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Acura MDX research
Other Acura MDX model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2002 MDX, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.