Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Acura MDX
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Acura MDX has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 205 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #20V027000 Air Bag Inflators May Rupture or Underinflate Bag NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V385000 CORROSION IN COIL SPRINGS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V176000 HONDA/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V226000 HONDA/TIMING BELT/WATER PUMP NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 125 complaints
- Air Bags 23 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 14 complaints
- Electrical System 12 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 12 complaints
- Structure 7 complaints
Of the 205 complaints on file, 11 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 205 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$8,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Acura MDX has an average reliability rating based on 205 owner complaints and 4 recalls. The vehicle primarily faces issues with the powertrain, accounting for most complaints. Other areas like airbags and engine cooling also received several complaints. Overall, the data indicates notable concerns but lacks severity to suggest major systemic failures. Limited evidence suggests a mixed ownership experience.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 60,000–120,000 miles | $1,500–$4,000 | common |
| Airbag system | Unknown | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid service
- Timing belt replacement
- Coolant flush
- Spark plug replacement
- Drive belt inspection
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Transmission slipping
- Unusual airbag warning light
- Engine overheating
- Braking issues
- Unusual noise from powertrain
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Acura MDX at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.