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#BS-2002-ACUMDX-48A92002 Acura Mdx
Based on reports from 242 owners and 4 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 242 complaints, 16 crashes, 5 fires, and 4 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.0x the class average.
Top reported problems
transmission failure
9 complaints • Severity 8.9/10
dangerous erratic shifting
3 complaints • Severity 8.7/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
84 owners reported power train:automatic transmission issues — failures commonly reported around 98K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 60–90K miles (46 reports) • Median: 98K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Power Train:automatic Transmission (84 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2002 Acura Mdx: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Power Train:automatic Transmission Issues
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints account for 35% of all reports filed for the 2002 Acura Mdx, with 84 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 98,465 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 98K-mile mark.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 15% of all reports filed for the 2002 Acura Mdx, with 37 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2002 Acura Mdx, with 21 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to airbags-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2002 Acura Mdx, with 15 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2002 Acura Mdx. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (4 recalls)
ENGINE AND 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 DAMAGED AND FAIL.
POWER TRAIN: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 BREAKAGE.
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, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS HAVE INSUFFICIENT CORROSION PROTECTION, AND MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION.
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 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 absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Acura Mdx is the 2016 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is transmission.
2002 Acura Mdx vs. Class Average (Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD)
This vehicle
242
Class avg
124
2.0x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical sport utility vehicle - 4wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 242 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 4 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Acura Mdx Model Years
2002 Acura Mdx: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Acura Mdx?
Is the 2002 Acura Mdx reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2002 Acura Mdx problems?
Does the 2002 Acura Mdx have any recalls?
What mileage do Acura Mdx problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
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Get the Full 2002 Acura Mdx Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 242 owner reports. Know before you buy.