Head-to-head reliability
Acura RSX vs FORD F 150
How the Acura RSX and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Acura RSX vs FORD F 150: The RSX has 197 complaints over 5 years (about 39 per year), while the F-150 has 11,621 over 10 years (about 1,162 per year). The RSX also has 16 recalls versus 151 for the F-150. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Acura RSX or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Acura RSX
The Acura RSX is a compact sports coupe with a relatively low complaint volume: 197 complaints over 5 years, averaging about 39 per year. Owners frequently report transmission problems, especially with the 6-speed manual popping out of third gear, as well as airbag sensor and control unit failures. Suspension noises and premature strut wear also appear in complaints. Overall, it's a car that can be reliable but has known weak points that need attention.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 11,621 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 1,162 per year. Power train issues dominate, particularly transmission problems like limp mode and lead frame failures, along with electrical system faults. There are also reports of rear window defroster shorts causing windows to shatter. With 151 recalls, it's a complex vehicle with many potential trouble spots.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Acura RSX | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 197 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 28 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 39.4 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 24 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Acura RSX
- 01POWER TRAIN51
- 02AIR BAGS34
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING27
- 04SUSPENSION21
- 05SERVICE BRAKES12
Owners of the Acura RSX, especially the Type S with the 6-speed manual, report the transmission popping out of third gear during shifts. This can happen repeatedly and may not be fixed even after multiple repairs, making it a persistent annoyance and potential safety concern.
Complaints describe airbag system failures, such as the passenger detection sensor or airbag control unit failing, which triggers the SRS warning light. This means the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so buyers should check for any airbag recalls or warning lights.
Some owners report clicking noises from the suspension that were initially misdiagnosed, as well as cooling fan issues where fans won't start in stop-and-go traffic with the A/C off. These can lead to overheating if not addressed.
Front suspension problems are common, including clunking noises when turning at slow speeds and premature strut failures. Owners often need to replace strut assemblies, which can be costly and parts may be backordered.
“ACURA 2006 RSX S VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW. WE HAD DRIVE TRAIN PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SHIFTING INTO GEARS AND POPPING OUT OF THIRD GEAR. REPAIR WORK WAS DONE NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED. ACURA CORPORATION, AND THE ACU…”
“MY 05 ACURA RSX TYPE S WITH A 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS A PROBLEM WHERE DURING SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR (WITH THE CLUTCH FULLY ENGAGED DURING THE SHIFT) IT POPS OUT OF 3RD GEAR WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DISENGAGED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ABOUT ONCE EVERY 7 H…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Ford F-150 owners report severe transmission issues, such as the truck going into limp mode and getting stuck in 5th gear, often due to lead frame or output speed sensor failures. These problems can occur frequently and may require expensive repairs, affecting drivability and safety.
Electrical complaints include lead frame issues that can cause sudden loss of power or erratic shifting, as well as rear window defroster shorts that have led to rear windows shattering. These faults can be dangerous and are often subject to recalls.
This category includes reports of rear window defroster shorts causing the back window to explode outward, which is a serious safety hazard. Owners describe it happening without warning, so buyers should inspect the defroster and rear window for any signs of damage.
Exterior lighting issues are frequently reported, though specific details are not provided in the sample. However, with 1,224 complaints, it's a common problem area that could include headlight or taillight failures, affecting visibility and safety.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Acura RSX — 16 recalls
The defect: 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…
The risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
The defect: 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 EQUIPME…
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.
The risk: THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.
The fix: HONDA WILL SEND A POSTCARD TO DEALERS AND OWNERS WITH THE CORRECT NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION AND WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSERT THE CARD INTO THE "REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS" SECTION OF THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGU…
The defect: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2006 Acura RSX vehicles manufactured January 18, 2006, through August 12, 2006; and model year 2006-2007 Honda S2000 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2006, through November 13, 2006. The brake booster may be unable to maintain…
The risk: With reduced braking assistance, the vehicle may require additional brake pedal force to prevent a lengthened stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster assembly. If necessary, the dealers will replace the booster assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-310-…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Acura RSX or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Acura RSX has far fewer complaints per year (about 39) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), meaning the RSX owner is less likely to face frequent repair visits. However, the F-150's issues are often more severe, such as transmission failures that can cause limp mode. In practice, the RSX may be simpler to live with, but both have notable problem areas.
Key differences
- The Acura RSX averages about 39 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages about 1,162 per year, a huge difference in reported problem frequency.
- RSX owners commonly report manual transmission popping out of third gear, while F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 16 for the RSX, indicating more widespread safety-related issues over its lifetime.
- Airbag sensor failures are a notable complaint for the RSX, whereas the F-150 has electrical issues like rear window defroster shorts causing shattered windows.
- During a test drive, shift through all gears, especially from 2nd to 3rd, and listen for popping out of gear or grinding, which indicates the known manual transmission issue.
- Check that the SRS (airbag) warning light illuminates briefly when starting and then turns off; if it stays on, there may be a faulty airbag sensor or control unit.
- Test drive the truck at highway speeds and watch for sudden limp mode or getting stuck in a gear, which points to transmission or lead frame problems.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for any signs of malfunction or previous shattering, and ask if the window has ever exploded or been replaced due to a short.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for the RSX airbags and F-150 transmission/electrical issues.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the RSX's transmission and suspension, and the F-150's transmission and electrical systems.
- For the RSX, specifically test the manual transmission for popping out of gear and check for clunking noises from the front suspension.
- For the F-150, scan for stored trouble codes related to transmission (like P0722) and test all electrical components, including the rear defroster.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission repairs or software updates, as these can indicate past issues.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Acura RSX or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Acura RSX vs FORD F 150
- Acura RSX total complaints
- 197
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Acura RSX total recalls
- 16
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Acura RSX avg complaints/year
- 39.4
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Acura RSX
- Acura RSX top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN