AcuraRSX2002Overview/acura/rsx/2002/base/

2002 Acura RSX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 RSX.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2002 Acura RSX is a passenger car that came equipped with a 4.4‑quart oil capacity and 5W‑20 API‑specified lubricant, and it was paired with an automatic S5 transmission that delivered EPA fuel ratings of 21 city, 30 highway, and 24 combined miles per gallon. Its debut year recorded 91 total owner complaints, the highest in the model’s 2001‑2008 complaint history, while later years such as 2007 saw only a single complaint. This pattern shows the 2002 model year as the peak of reported issues for the RSX line.

Model year20062005200420032002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/30/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 400 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 400 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-55VR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172.4 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height55.1 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight2639 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 30 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RSX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1–7.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2002 Type-S Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-46.10 sec14.80 sec200 hpFWD
2002Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-46.30 sec15.00 sec200 hpFWD
2002Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-46.71 sec15.11 sec200 hpFWD
2002Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-46.90 sec15.40 sec200 hpFWD
2002Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-47.03 sec15.32 sec200 hpFWD
2003Type-S Factory Performance Coupe 2.0L I-46.80 sec15.40 sec200 hpFWD
2005Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-46.20 sec14.90 sec210 hpFWD
2005Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-46.40 sec14.90 sec210 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0-22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.9 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54, MT: 76-87 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 54, MT: 76-87 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts33 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8mm Bolts: 16, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)780 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.10-1.21 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.33-5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance400 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47-54 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47.0-54.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket80 ft-lbs / 16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle80 ft-lbs / 41 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.060 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.82 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.83 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.748 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9022 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129.0 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; If using new bolts, tighten an additional 90 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129.0 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; If using new bolts, tighten an additional 90 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 110,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miDoor Stop (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 110,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 model year marks a dramatic inflection point in the federal record, with complaints surging to 91 from just 3 in 2001, accompanied by 4 recalls and 115 technical service bulletins—figures that represent the generation's peak and far exceed the subsequent 2003 model's 31 complaints and 71 TSBs. Across the generation, the data follows a clear downward trajectory after 2002: complaint volumes steadily decline toward single digits by 2007, TSBs drop from 115 to 5, and recalls moderate from 4 to 2 and eventually 0, suggesting progressive resolution of early production issues. The 2002 model concentrates complaints in Power Train (24), Engine & Engine Cooling (11), and Air Bags (9), with 10 crash-related and 1 fire complaint documented, though the data does not specify underlying causes for these failures. Positioned at the apex of the complaint curve with the highest TSB count and significant recall activity, 2002 appears to bear the brunt of first-year production challenges that were largely mitigated by 2003-2004. Given this profile, 2002 represents the riskiest acquisition in this generation, and buyers would be better served by 2003-2006 models that demonstrate markedly cleaner federal records.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
115
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
91
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 91 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train24
Engine & Engine Cooling11
Air Bags9
Structure4
Exterior Lighting3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Seats2
Fuel/Propulsion System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 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… Remedy: 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…

06E038000Exterior LightingReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 115 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
BJA461672017-01-01EquipmentSending vehicle data to tech line.
DLR MSG - Acura2014-08-06Air BagsDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various…
DLR MSG - Stop S2014-07-23Air BagsDealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various…
12022011-12-12Unknown Or OtherSEARCHING ISIS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE INFORMATION. 1996 - 2003 MODELS. *TT UPDATED…
SB-02-0352011-10-22Electrical SystemACURA: WHILE THE VALVE TIMING CONTROL (VTC) PHASE GAP IS SET, THE MIL IS ON AND THE…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RSX. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 RSX take?

4.4 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 RSX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RSX get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined mpg.