Model year guide

2002 Acura RSX

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Acura RSX is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 24 on record.

2002 Acura RSX — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Acura RSX at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints93
Combined24–26 mpg
Typical price$3,539

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2002 Acura RSX recalls 4

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E038000 · 08/05/2006

CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E064000 · 17/07/2006

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #06E023000 · 13/03/2006

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 5 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2002 Acura RSX common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

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.
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.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2002 Acura RSX safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2002 Acura RSX 2-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2002 Acura RSX MPG & running costs

Combined24–26 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,933

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2002 Acura RSX worth?

Low
$1,600
Typical price
$3,539
High
$5,995

From 24 comparable 2002 Acura RSX listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

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

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,665
Fuel only$14,665
Per mile$0.20

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 RSX trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Type-S
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 160 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 200 hp

2002 Acura RSX vehicles on record

2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53862C036895 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53082C034771 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53052C028068 2002 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54892C024478 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53092C010494 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53092C039414 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54832C005862 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53862C017568 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54832C015016 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53072C015936 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC530X2C016725 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53822C026624 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53032C011317 2002 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53812C032947 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53862C019160 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54872C034880 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53872C009303 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53092C034326 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53072C019064 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53042C032225 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53092C038280 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53812C039106 2002 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54802C014454 2002 Acura RSX 2002 Acura RSXJH4DC54862C024129

Other Acura RSX model years

2006 2005 2004 2003

2002 Acura RSX — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Acura RSX have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 Acura RSX. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

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

Across all 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, engine and engine cooling, air bags.

What is the 2002 Acura RSX safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2002 Acura RSX crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2002 Acura RSX get?

The 2002 Acura RSX has U.S. EPA estimates of 24–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

How much is a 2002 Acura RSX worth?

Comparable 2002 Acura RSX listings run roughly $1,600–$5,995, typically around $3,539 (from 24 vehicles).

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