2002 Acura Mdx: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Acura Mdx: 4 recalls, 204 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #02V226000 · 2002 · 17,551 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 damaged and fail.
Why it matters: If the timing belt breaks, the engine will stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the water pump and if it is one of the defective pumps, the water pump and timing belt will be replaced. Owner notification began August 30, 2002.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #04V176000 · 2004 · 1,099,796 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Gear failure could result in transmission lockup, which could result in a crash.
The fix: 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…
Suspension Vehicle recall #05V385000 · 2005 · 22,861 vehicles
What's wrong: 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, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia. In areas where large quantities of road salt are used, the…
Why it matters: Excessive corrosion can cause spring failure and a broken spring could puncture a front tire, which increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace both front springs with improved springs. The recall began on October 11, 2005.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V027000 · 2020 · 875,966 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 vehicles May have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement nadi inflator May…
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion May not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (124): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (55), warning light on (25), noise or vibration (24).
- Airbags (23): the most common themes are warning light on (11), fails to deploy (5).
- Engine & cooling (14): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), noise or vibration (3), warning light on (2).
- Electrical (12): the most common themes are electrical failure (4), warning light on (3), fire / smoke (3).
The 2002 Acura Mdx has 204 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 25 Mdx model years for complaints (1.5× the average Mdx year). Complaints peaked in 2010 (24 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 98,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (224 complaints, 4 recalls), 2003 (206 complaints, 11 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Acura Mdx.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Acura Mdx have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2002 Acura Mdx. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Acura Mdx problems?
Owners have filed 204 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (124), airbags (23), engine & cooling (14).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Acura Mdx get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Acura Mdx repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.