Head-to-head reliability
Acura RSX vs Honda Accord
How the Acura RSX and Honda Accord 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 Honda Accord: The RSX averaged 39 complaints per year over 5 years, while the Accord averaged 452 per year over 10 years. The RSX's top issues are power train and air bags; the Accord's are engine and electrical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Acura RSX or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Acura RSX
The Acura RSX is a sporty compact coupe with a loyal following, but its age means maintenance and repair records matter. Over five years, NHTSA logged 197 complaints, averaging about 39 per year, with power train issues dominating. Owners frequently report manual transmission problems like popping out of third gear, plus air bag sensor failures and suspension clunks. These are not just annoyances; they can affect drivability and safety systems.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a mainstream family sedan with a much larger owner base, reflected in 4,524 complaints over ten years—about 452 per year. The most common trouble spots are engine, electrical, and forward collision avoidance systems. Some owners describe sudden power loss, electronic steering and braking failures, and unintended automatic braking. While many Accords are reliable, the volume of complaints suggests certain model years have recurring electronic and powertrain gremlins.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Acura RSX | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 197 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 28 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 39.4 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 24 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
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 manual-transmission RSX models report the car popping out of third gear during shifts, often after repeated warranty repairs that fail to fix it. This can lead to unexpected loss of drive and expensive transmission work.
Complaints describe air bag warning lights triggered by failed passenger seat sensors and air bag control units, sometimes at relatively low mileage. A faulty air bag system may not deploy correctly in a crash, so these repairs are safety-critical.
Some owners hear clicking or clunking noises from the suspension, but others report cooling fan failures that cause overheating in stop-and-go traffic. Overheating can lead to costly engine damage if not addressed promptly.
Front strut assemblies are a common complaint, with owners hearing clunking noises when turning at low speeds. Replacing struts can be expensive and parts may be backordered, leaving the car out of service for weeks.
“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…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report sudden power loss, rough running, and rattling noises during acceleration, sometimes accompanied by multiple dashboard warnings. These symptoms can leave a driver stranded or unable to maintain highway speeds.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking systems at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. Such failures can cause a near-collision and require immediate attention.
Drivers describe unintended automatic braking or acceleration under adaptive cruise control, even with no obstacles present. This can startle the driver and increase crash risk if it happens in traffic.
Some owners report persistent rotten-egg odors and fuel delivery issues, though not all complaints specify the exact part. Fuel system problems can affect performance and emissions, and may be costly to diagnose.
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
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-…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
Acura RSX or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Acura RSX has far fewer complaints per year (about 39) than the Honda Accord (about 452), but the RSX is an older, lower-volume model. The Accord's higher count partly reflects its much larger sales volume, yet the types of issues—electronic failures and unintended braking—can be more severe. In practice, the RSX may be simpler to own if you can find one with a healthy transmission and air bag system, while the Accord demands careful attention to its electronic and safety systems.
Key differences
- The Acura RSX has 197 complaints over 5 years (39/year) versus the Honda Accord's 4,524 over 10 years (452/year), but the Accord sold in much higher numbers.
- RSX owners frequently report manual transmission popping out of gear and air bag sensor failures, while Accord owners report engine power loss and electronic steering/braking failures.
- The Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries in its complaint data, compared to 0 deaths and 24 injuries for the RSX, though these figures are not adjusted for exposure.
- Both have recalls, but the Accord's recalls include hybrid power control software and fuel pumps, while the RSX's recalls cover lighting and brake vacuum issues.
- During a test drive, shift through all gears, especially 2nd to 3rd, and listen for popping out of gear or grinding—this is a known manual transmission defect.
- Check that the air bag warning light illuminates briefly then goes out; a persistent light may indicate a failed passenger seat sensor or air bag control unit.
- Test the electronic power steering and brakes at low and highway speeds; any warning lights or unusual stiffness could signal a failure like those reported.
- Ask if the forward collision avoidance system has been updated or repaired; unintended braking is a common complaint and may require software fixes.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the Acura RSX's transmission, suspension, and air bag system before purchase.
- For the Honda Accord, scan for stored error codes related to the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance.
- Test drive the Accord on a highway to check for unintended braking or power loss under acceleration.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been performed, especially for the Accord's hybrid power control software and fuel pump.
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 Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Acura RSX vs Honda Accord
- Acura RSX total complaints
- 197
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Acura RSX total recalls
- 16
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Acura RSX avg complaints/year
- 39.4
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Acura RSX
- Acura RSX top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE