Most common 2002 Acura RSX problems
Share of the 76 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Acura RSX complaints by model year
Best RSX years: 2004. Years to avoid: 2002. Compare all years →
What 2002 Acura RSX owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 20 →
The car stopped at an traffic intersection when making a left turn. Fortunately, the traffic was light. Later, a broken driver side cv axel was identified, which had sever corrosion inside the damper. the narrowest diameter is only 16mm vs 25mm of the axel.
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.
Engine & cooling
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. I got in touch with roadside assistance and they have towed the car to the nearest Acura dealer (ryan's open road) east brunswick n.j. I have spoken to ocean Acura, Acura America and ryan's several time. Ryan has determine that the engine is damage and I will need a new engine. The dealer (ocean) is trying to put the blame on me saying that I have abused the engine and I am responsible for fixing it. …
While driving approx 60 MPH freeway, my car suddenly and without warning started running very rough and noisily and shuddered, a very frightening experience. My vehicle has been perfectly maintained since purchase and had only a few weeks earlier undergone a 75,000 mile tune-up. My mechanic diagnosed and confirmed the problem is a damaged/loosened timing chain due to a defective auto tensioner. This is my only means of transportation. NHTSA records discloses service bulletin #090105 clearly identifying a "defective auto tensioner". These repairs will cost nearly $2,000! Why is this not a recall instead of a simple service bulletin when your records indicate numerous cars are affected? …
Air bags
While driving at 55 MPH, the consumers son was cut off by another motorist. Her son lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a metal divider head on. The vehicle then flipped over and rolled three times, landing on it's roof. None of the frontal air bags, or the side air bags deployed upon impact. The driver and passenger suffered injuries.
While in motion, consumer was rear ended and by a vehicle traveling 100 MPH. The side impact air bags did not deploy. Consumer feels had they gone off it would have prevented the clavicle bone fracture the driver sustained.
2002 Acura RSX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 23 / 30 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 30 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Acura RSX a good car?
Based on 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 RSX rates avoid: 2.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the RSX at the same age. It is one of the RSX years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Acura RSX?
The transmission & drivetrain — 20 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about manual transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (17) and air bags (14).
How many recalls does the 2002 Acura RSX have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Acura RSX. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Acura RSX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002. See the full Acura RSX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Acura RSX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 48,000 miles; 52% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.