Model year guide

2002 Acura MDX

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Acura MDX is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 58 on record.

2002 Acura MDX at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints221
Combined17 mpg
Typical price$3,337

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2002 Acura MDX recalls 4

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #20V027000 · 17/01/2020

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…

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. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Ce…

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs NHTSA Campaign #05V385000 · 01/09/2005

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, T…

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WITH IMPROVED SPRINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA AT 800-382-2238.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #02V226000 · 28/08/2002

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.

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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN…

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #04V176000 · 15/04/2004

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.

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 EXPE…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2002 Acura MDX common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 221 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2002 Acura MDX MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,450

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2002 Acura MDX worth?

Low
$2,000
Typical price
$3,337
High
$5,200

From 57 comparable 2002 Acura MDX listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Acura MDX costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,250
Fuel only$22,250
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2002 Acura MDX trims & engines on record

Trims
Touring · Base · STD · Premium
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl 240 hp

2002 Acura MDX vehicles on record

2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18812H507568 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18842H525658 2002 Acura MDX Base2HNYD182X2H508438 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18652H502758 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18892H527079 2002 Acura MDX Base2HNYD18262H535250 2002 Acura MDX Base2HNYD184X2H539531 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18662H528060 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18642H520605 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18802H518917 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18642H511404 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18882H518745 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18682H520915 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18672H545532 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18662H505345 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18862H513821 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18862H520994 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18682H531879 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18672H536801 2002 Acura MDX Base2HNYD182X2H510304 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD186X2H500245 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18622H504998 2002 Acura MDX Touring2HNYD18862H507596 2002 Acura MDX Base2HNYD18292H517177

Other Acura MDX model years

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2001

2002 Acura MDX — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Acura MDX have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2002 Acura MDX. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Acura MDX?

Based on 221 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, power train, engine and engine cooling.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Acura MDX get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2002 Acura MDX at about 17 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway).

How much is a 2002 Acura MDX worth?

Comparable 2002 Acura MDX listings run roughly $2,000–$5,200, typically around $3,337 (from 57 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.