Overview & Reviews

The TL Type-S makes its debut this year, sporting a 260-horsepower engine, sport-tuned suspension, Vehicle Stability Assist and 17-inch tires. 2002 also sees some styling revisions to the TL's front end and taillights. An in-dash six-CD changer, one-touch-up driver's window and two-position memory system for driver seat and mirrors are newly standard on both the 3.2 TL and the Type-S, and Acura has added insulation materials to the doors and reshaped the side mirrors to cut down on wind and road noise inside the cabin. Anthracite Metallic, Aegean Blue Pearl and Eternal Blue Pearl are the new exterior colors.

• Excellent value, comfortable front seats, impressive power from Type-S engine, SportShift transmission is fun to use.

• Average interior materials, cramped rear seat room, lacks the panache of some competing luxury sedans.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 159.00

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  Great car to drive - 2002 Acura TL
  By luvtypes - May 22 - 8:45 am

  Bought my TL about 4 years ago, and didnt have any major issues. All acura and Honda buyers have ideas about the bad transmission problem but still does not maintain it the way it should be taken care of, i changed transmission oil every 10K and now its just over 300KM on my car and still running strong...Love the car

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  Loved my 02 TL Type S - 2002 Acura TL
  By tl_lover828 - October 9 - 11:59 am

  I purchased my "baby" with about 75k miles 4 years ago. I currently have 220k. I regularly service my car and up until 3 years ago, no problems. It is sad that this beauty has such an issue with the tranny. I paid out of pocket the 1st time, 4k with AAMCO. Acura would only offer a 30 day warranty. (??) 3 yrs & few mos later, it went again. I, well I tried to, have it repaired again. AAMCO had no idea what was wrong nor how to repair it. They had her for almost 6 weeks, with a rental, after I squawked so much. I finally got her back but she not been the same since. I am in the market to buy another car, but nothing else seems to meet my fancy.. I am willing to try a TL again.

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  Not worth the money - 2002 Acura TL
  By Maggie - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Not only will I never buy another acura again, but I will warn everyone I know to never buy one. Transmission went out a thousand miles over our purchased "extended warranty". Acura should be ashamed that a 1994 Geo Prism has outlasted my way overpriced Acura. $3,000.00 later, transmission still not working, and the car is only worth 5,000!!!! Run, run away from Acura products!!!!!

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  Good family car - 2002 Acura TL
  By killerisme - August 21 - 10:36 am

  Our first Acura has been a long distance trooper for the family, and despite three transmissions, overall reliability has been outstanding. Only one of the transmissions actually failed, and it gave plenty of warning. Harper Acura in Knoxville, TN has been great in helping take care of maintenance and the trans issues. 140k miles and it is still a nicer ride than new Accords and Camrys.

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  Nice car, terrible transmission - 2002 Acura TL
  By Ralow - August 9 - 2:41 pm

  All the transmission issues you hear about the TLs are very real. I bought mine as a 1 owner trade with 109K. I did all the research and found that the transmission had the recall done and it was serviced at the local Acura dealer. So I went ahead and bought it thinking it might be OK. WRONG. Had to replace the transmission 3 weeks after I bought it & Acura wasnt willing to help out AT ALL even though it was only a few miles over the recall warranty. Needless to say, I ended up paying $4000 extra for a new tranny. The replacement is under warranty for 3 yrs/36,000 but I will likely never buy another used Acura again. Too much hassle and no reliability. Acuras reputation is tarnished IMO.

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  Bad transmission - 2002 Acura TL
  By cp - June 26 - 3:50 pm

  We purchased this acura from a private ownership @ 47,000. It performed beautifully until the transmission went on @ 116,000. I had it serviced at 104,000 and nothing was wrong with it. I have learned that a rebuilt one from the acura dealership would cost $4900. Hello, anyone in there! I paid over $14,000 and still owe $8800. This is truly a LEMON of the technology aged vehicles.I have been told I can build a case with acura that is so far a joke because they told me that I will not get enough credit because I take it to another service provider for the car serviced. If I took it to an acura dealership, I could receive more credit for a new rebuilt transmission. Discrimination?

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  Great car, horrible reliability - 2002 Acura TL
  By value man - September 28 - 6:29 pm

  Why the whole world has not made a big issue that the reliability of this model years transmission is absolutely horrible is beyond me. Acura should be embarrassed - this model year is a black eye to their reputation of reliable cars.

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  Great traveler - 2002 Acura TL
  By wenoh appy - May 2 - 1:08 pm

  We bought ours new, we own 4 other cars but drive the Acura when we travel, sometimes because of the gps system other times for the comfort and dependability it has given us, however we will not buy another acura because the dealer service was terrible, the car was in several times for a noise that they kept insisting it was brakes, it was transmission. When we picked up our car from the transmission exchange, the radio (BOSE system) showed an error code, they kept the car and reset the code then the CD player showed an error code and they wanted us to buy a new system, never having any prior stereo issues we took it to Bose - Acura didnt remove the cds prior setting code this JAMS the cd deck!!

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  Still running - 2002 Acura TL
  By TomB - January 14 - 3:33 pm

  196,000 miles. Last week go 29 mph in very cold conditions, often get 30 and always 25+ even in town. Front brakes @ 89K, rears at 112K, but 4 transmissions, all paid by Acura cheerfully with loaner car for each 3 day repair. Great car but boring and I told dealer never another until they fix the trans. New Acura still has 5 spd that wont hold 1st or 2nd. 2009 is too ugly, so I am waiting or going Genesis or 328 BMW. Too bad, as I would love to buy from them again.

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  I hate to get rid of it - 2002 Acura TL
  By Sharon - August 9 - 10:58 pm

  Bought this car new in October 2001 in Aegean Blue. I still get compliments on it all the time. It has a wonderfully large trunk that has been hard to match in other cars. I have driven many other near luxury cars and have found nothing else that compares. Recently I have had some "problems" both with the transmission and what I believe may be the fuel pump. The car does goes through brakes quickly. Overall, it has been my favorite car of all time and I really hate to think of selling it but I think the time has come. I have never kept a car anywhere near this long if that tells you how great of a car this has been.