Acura RSX Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Acura RSX options? We analyzed 5 model years (2002–2006) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Found a Acura RSX? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Acura RSX has 197 owner complaints and 16 safety recalls across model years 2002–2006. The most reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. 2002 drew the most complaints; 2004 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Acura
- Model
- RSX
- Model years analyzed
- 2002–2006 (5 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 197
- Safety recall campaigns
- 16
- Crash-related complaints
- 28
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2002 (93 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2004 (17 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- POWER TRAIN
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Acura RSX: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe ACURA RSX has 197 NHTSA complaints and 16 recalls on record. 28 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 197 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 16 federal recall campaigns
- 28 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
16 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2002–2006. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 197 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
197 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The transmission it’s going bad
I BOUGHT A VEHICLE LAST YEAR AND NEVER RAN THE CARFAX BUT NOW I HAVE IT AND IT APPEARS THE MILEAGE HAS BEEN TAMPERED WITH
ON SAT DEC 10 2018 I WAS BULLING IN TO A PARKING SPACE AT WALMART AFTER 7AM. I WAS GOING SLOWLY AND STARTED A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE. AS I TURNED I WAS LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVVED TO A HIGH SPEED AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. I PUSHED HARD ON THE BRAKES BUT IT STILL KEPT GOING AT A LOWER RATE BUT I COULD NOT STOP, IT WAS MAKING STRAINING CREAKING SOUNDS. I HAD TURNED LEFT TO AVOID THE SUV FACING ME IN THE OTHER SPACE FACING ME WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD. THERE WAS A CART CORRAL THERE THAT I HIT AND PUSHED IT AND IT SWUNG AROUND AND MOVED INTO THE DRIVING LANE STILL MOVING. I PUSHED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND THE REVVES DROPPED IMMEDIATELY AND THE CAR STOPPED THEN. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE ENGINE TO SPEED UP, I WAS BRAKING LIGHTLY AS I APPROACHED THE PARKING SPACE AND I CONTINUED TRYING TO BRAKE UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPPED. I WAS AT NO TIME ON THE GAS PEDDLE, THERE WAS NOT CARPET OR OTHER OBJECT TO INTERFERE WITH THE GAS PEDDLE. WHEN I MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER TO NEUTRAL THE ENGINE DROPPED TO A IDLE IMMEDIATELY. THERE WAS SCRATCHES ON THE HOOD, BUMPER AND HEADLIGHT COVER AND SMALL DENT IN DRIVER DOOR. NO INJURIES AND I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE CORRAL BACK IN PLACE BY HAND. I RESEARCHED UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION FOR ACURA AND HONDA AND FOUND ACCOUNTS OF HONDA INCIDENTS VERY SIMILAR TO MINE WITH MUCH WORSE .OUTCOMES. I FILED AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND NOW I AM GOING TO CONTACT ACURA. I TOOK PICTURES WITH MY PHONE BUT HAVEN'T GOTTEN THEM TO THE COMPUTER
THE CAR FAILED TO STOP FOR AN INTERSECTION. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CROSS TRAFFIC, SO WE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM: POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED TO KEEP VACUUM, MAKING BRAKES WEAK. I SEE THAT THIS EXACT FAILURE WAS RECALLED FOR THE NEXT MODEL YEAR (2006). BOTH MODEL YEAR CARS USE THE SAME BOOSTER, SO IT IS LIKELY THE SAME CAUSE AND SAME RISK TO ALL 2005 ACURA RSX MODELS. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED TO MAKE SURE NO-ONE HAS AN ACCIDENT DUE TO WEAK BRAKES, ESPECIALLY WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED FOR THE SAME MODEL CAR ONE YEAR LATER, THAT USES THE SAME PART.
TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS ON COMING ON FOR MANY YEARS. THE ACURA DEALER DOES NOT KNOW THE ISSUE AND WILL NOT REPAIR THE AIRBAGS UNTIL THERE IS A RECALL OF THE AIRBAGS. THE LIGHT HAS COME ON PROBABLY ONCE PER YEAR (I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR 7 YEARS).
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT APPEARS TO BE LOOSE AT A RIVITED JOINT.
Read 14 more owner reports
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON - I HAD A MECHANIC RESET IT BUT IT CAME BACK ON FEW DAYS LATER. I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT HONDA IS RECALLING HONDAS & ACURAS FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM , IS THIS ONE OF THEM ? AM I EXPECTING A RECALL LETTER FROM HONDA IN THE MAIL SOON ? REGARDS *TR
ON 11/20/12, I DROVE MY 2005 ACURA RSX TO ACURA OF MANHATTAN (AOM) IN NY, NY. THE SERVICE INCLUDED 4 NEW TIRES -- MICHELIN 215/45/17. ON 12/01/12, AFTER 40-50 MILES WITH NEW TIRES, THE VEHICLE STARTS VIBRATING. I STOP AND NOTICE A BLOWN-OUT FRONT RIGHT TIRE. EMERGENCY ROAD ASSISTANCE PUTS ON THE SPARE TIRE, NOTICES THE OTHER 3 TIRES ARE UNDER-INFLATED AND ADDS AIR. I RETURN TO AOM ON 12/03/12, MENTIONING THE VIBRATIONS, BLOWN-OUT TIRE, AND 3 UNDER-INFLATED TIRES. AOM GUARANTEES THAT ALL REMAINING TIRES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION AND REPLACES THE BLOWN-OUT TIRE. ON 12/14/12, ON A DIVIDED PARKWAY THE CAR AGAIN STARTS VIBRATING. I SLOW DOWN TO STOP, BUT THE REAR OF THE CAR YANKS TO THE RIGHT, THE CAR SPINS WILDLY, I SMASH HEAD-ON INTO THE MEDIAN DIVIDER, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, THE CAR SPINS AROUND, THE REAR HITS THE MEDIAN, I COME TO A STANDSTILL. NO OTHER CAR IS INVOLVED. I AM UNHURT. I LEAVE THE CAR; I NOTICE ONE REAR TIRE OFF THE RIM AND THE OTHER ONE FLAT. THE POLICE WRITE UP AN ACCIDENT REPORT. THE CAR IS TOWED TO A GARAGE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY RAPIDLY DETERMINES IT IS A TOTAL LOSS. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME EVER THAT A CAR OF MINE VIBRATED -- NOT ONCE BUT TWICE IN TWO WEEKS. THE FIRST TIME, ONE TIRE BLEW OUT; THE SECOND TIME, BOTH REAR TIRES WERE EITHER OFF THE RIM OR FLAT. AND THIS IMMEDIATELY AFTER AOM HAD REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES. I SENT A CERTIFIED MAIL LETTER TO [XXX], PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF AOM, ASKING FOR AN EXPLANATION. I GOT 3 NON-EXPLANATORY E-MAILS FROM A [XXX]; NONE ADDRESSED THE QUESTIONS RAISED IN MY LETTER. I REPORT THIS TO NHTSA TO PREVENT FURTHER ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY IMPROPER SERVICE BY AOM. WERE THE TIRES DEFECTIVE? DID THE LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR PROVIDE OLD TIRES WITH REDUCED ELASTICITY? DID THE TIRES PROPERLY FIT MY CAR'S RIMS? DID AOM CORRECTLY INSTALL, CALIBRATE AND BALANCE THE TIRES? AS OF THIS WRITING, NO RESPONSE HAS BEEN GIVEN BY AOM WHICH IS AVOIDING THE ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I HAVE 2005 RSX TYPE S, AND WITHIN PAST 2.5 YEARS I HAD CIRCUITRY RELATED TO THE AIRBAGS PASSENGER AND DRIVER FAILED. AT 64,000 MILES PASSENGER DETECTION SENSOR IN THE SEAT FAILED AND WAS REPLACED WHEN SRS LIGHT CAME ON, AT 87,584 MILES AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND AIRBAG NOT FUNCTIONING LIGHT CAME ON. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS JUST MY CAR HAPPEN TO HAVE BAD AIRBAG CIRCUITRY OR IT IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT ACURA DOES NOT WANT TO ADDRESS. I CHECKED MULTIPLE BOARDS OF RSX OWNERS LIKE WWW.CLUBRSX.COM AND SEE MANY OF THEM HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR
ALL THE ALUMINUM WHEELS ON MY 2005 ACURA RSX-S ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF EARLY CORROSION DUE TO BUBBLING & EROSION OF THE PAINTED SURFACE. ONE IS PARTICULARLY BAD AND IS LOSING PRESSURE AT A RATE OF ~3LBS/SQIN PER WEEK. THIS WAS FIRST DISCOVERED ON NORMAL MONTHLY PRESSURE CHECK WHEN THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS 12LBS/SQIN BELOW SPECIFICATION. ON INSPECTION NO PUNCTURE OF THE TIRE WAS FOUND AND THE LEAK WAS TRACED TO CORROSION AT THE RIM AND VALVE SEAT. ON COMPLAINING TO THE ACURA DEALER UNDER WARRANTY, I WAS TOLD THAT WHEEL DAMAGE IS NOT COVERED BUT THIS IS NOT "DAMAGE" - IT'S CORROSION DUE TO POOR MATERIALS AND ESPECIALLY PAINT FINISH. THE WHEELS ARE ALL COMPLETELY FREE OF ACCIDENTAL DENTS OR NICKS AND THE LEAK IS ENTIRELY DUE TO CORROSION AND I NOW FEAR THAT IT WILL SHOW UP IN ALL THE OTHER WHEELS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND I NOW HAVE TO CHECK ALL TIRE PRESSURES WEEKLY AND RE-INFLATE THE CURRENTLY AFFECTED SINGLE WHEEL. MY ONLY REMEDY HERE IS TO HAVE ALL FOUR WHEELS REFINISHED AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE. *TR
TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR, POPS OUT OF 3RD GEAR, OR IS HARD TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. THESE SYMPTOMS CAN BE INTERMITTENT ANDSOMETIMES MORE NOTICEABLE IN COLDER CLIMATES. *TR
THE ISSUE I AM HAVING IS NOT A ONE TIME PROBLEM BUT SEEMS TO BE ONGOING IN THE WINTER MONTHS. WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE, THE WINDOWS OF MY CAR, INCLUDING FRONT AND BACK WINDSHIELDS, FOG AND ICE UP SIGNIFICANTLY. I HAVE THE DEFROSTER GOING AT FULL BLAST ON HIGHEST HEAT, BUT I STILL HAVE THIS ISSUE. THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS IS THAT I CANNOT SEE OUT OF MY WINDOWS WHEN I NEED TO CHANGE LANES OR LOOK FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN MAKING A RIGHT/LEFT TURN. I NEED TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS TO ENSURE THAT TRAFFIC IS CLEAR. I WASN'T SURE IF THIS IS THE TYPE OF COMPLAINT THAT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS BETTER TO SUBMIT, THAN NOT. THANK YOU. *TR
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 HOURS OF DRIVING FOR ME. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CAR SHIFTS EASILY INTO THIRD, LIKE IT NORMALLY WOULD, THEN POPS OUT WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DISENGAGED. OCCASIONALLY THERE IS A POP SOUND WHEN THIS HAPPENS BUT SOMETIMES IT CANNOT BE HEARD. THIS HAS LEAD TO SOME FRIGHTENING INSTANCES WHERE THE CAR HAS BEEN IN NEUTRAL, WHEN I THOUGH THE SHIFT WAS SUCCESSFUL. ON MY COMMUTE THIS OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN TURNING LEFT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND WHEN MERGING ON TO THE FREEWAY. I HAD ONE INSTANCE WHERE I MERGED ONTO THE FREEWAY IN SECOND GEAR ON A SNOWY DAY, ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT TO THIRD, AND HAD THE CAR POP OUT OF GEAR TWICE, SLOWING ME DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF BRAKE LIGHTS. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO MOVE INTO THE OTHER LANE TO AVOID BRAKING HARD IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN 12 TIMES TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED AND IT STILL IS NOT FIXED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A GROWING ISSUE WITH HONDA 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION. *TR
I PURCHASED A 2005 ACURA RSX TYPE-S ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF AGO AROUND 4/20/05. I DROVE IT FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS AND I STARTED HEARING A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM MY SUSPENSION, I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW STRUT. THE NEXT MONTH THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STRUT. THAT SAME WEEK MY CAR STARTED DRIFTING TO ONE SIDE AND MY STEERING WHEELING WASN'T ALIGNED, I BOUGHT IT BACK AND EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. THE NEXT MONTH I STILL HEARD THE SAME CLICKING NOISE BUT I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO GO TO THE DEALER. THAT SAME WEEK, I HEARD A TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM MY ENGINE, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS SO I KEPT DRIVING. NEXT DAY, IT GOT WORSE AND I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG, I CHECKED MY OIL LEVEL ON A SLOPED HILL BUT DIDN'T REALIZE IT, AND IT DIDN'T READ PROPERLY. SO, I ADDED TWO QUARTS OF OIL TO THE ENGINE, BUT IT STILL HAD THAT SAME TAPPING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD DESTROYED MY ENGINE(CONNECTING RODS ARE BENT, PISTON #4 WAS DAMAGED) AND I WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE. THE WARRANTY WASN'T GOING TO COVER IT BECAUSE I ADDED EXTRA OIL. SO, I IMMEDIATELY GOT A LAWYER, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE IN A YEAR IM STILL IN THE SAME BOAT AND I'M MONEY. I HAVE SPOKE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS FROM VARIOUS DEALERS AND SHOPS AND THEY TOLD ME THERE'S NO WAY ADDING OIL COULD DAMAGE A ENGINE IN JUST A MATTER OF ONE DAY. IM RUNNING OUT OF IDEAS AND MY LIFE IS AT A STAND STILL IF THERE'S ANYTHING YOU CAN DO PLEASE HELP. *JB
TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND A CRASH. THE CRASH CAUSED MAJOR FRONT BUMPER DAMAGE AND DAMAGED THE WHEEL OF THE BLOWN OUT TIRE TO THE POINT WHERE IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AS AN OVER REV CODE, PRESUMABLY AT THE POINT AFTER WHICH THE TIRE BLEW OUT. *NM
I BOUGHT AN 05' RSX AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE A RATTLING CAB, HAS A TERRIBLE SUSPENSION AND MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX SINCE I GOT THE CAR ALMOST A YEAR AGO. THEY HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT RUDE AND CONDESCENDING, AND ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT CAPABLE OF SELLING A CAR THAT IS FUNCTIONAL, NOR FIXING IT CORRECTLY. I WISH I NEVER BOUGHT IT. *JB
LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE. POSSIBLY STRUTS. SOUNDS HAPPEN AT SLOW SPEEDS, I.E. PARKING LOTS, BACKING UP. *NM
THE NEW BRIGHT BLUE HEADLIGHTS ARE AN OUTSTANDING INOVATION WHEN THEY ARE PROPERLY AIMED, HOWEVER THE AIM OF THE HEADLIGHT IS AFFECTED BY VEHICLE LOADING AND MANUFACTURE AND BODYSHOP/DEALER MISALLIGMNMENT. THIS ALLIGNMENT IS CRITICAL. WHEN TOO MUCH WEIGHT IS PLACE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE PORTION OF THE HEADLIGHT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE POINTING DOWN ON THE ROADWAY IS NOW DIRECTED AT ONCOMMING TRAFFIC. IF MANUFACTURERS CANNOT CONTROL THIS PROBLEM BY AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING THE HORIZONTAL TILT OF THIS LIGHTING SYSTEM, THEY SHOULD BE BANNED! *NM
I PURCHASED MY RSX TYPE-S IN JULY 2005, AFTER APPROX. 1000 MILES IT BEGAN MAKING A LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS. AFTER 2000 MILES IT CONTINUED TO GET LOUDER SO I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE. THE SERVICE WRITER CLAIMED IT WAS NORMAL NOISE, THEY GREASED SOME BUSHINGS AND HE TOLD ME THAT IF I RETURNED THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME. IT'S ODD, WHY DIDN'T MY CAR MAKE THIS NOISE WHEN I PURCHASED IT, AND IF IT IS NORMAL, WHY WASN'T IT MAKING IT DURING THE TEST DRIVE? *JB
FRONT SUSPENSION SAFETY DEFECTS. NEW 2005 ACURA RSX REQUIRED FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENTS DUE TO CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS. STRUT ASSEMBLIES BOTH ON BACK ORDER, TAKING THREE (3) WEEKS FOR REPAIRS. AMERICAN HONDA MOTORS CO., INC., ORIGINALLY CLAIMED THAT "THE FIX" FOR THE PROBLEM, ("NOT A SAFETY ISSUE") WAS TO APPLY A "SPECIAL LUBRICANT" COMING FROM JAPAN, AS DETERMINED BY "OUR ENGINEERS." TEN (10) DAYS LATER, HONDA SAYS THAT THE "SPECIAL LUBRICANT" WAS NOT "THE FIX" BUT THAT "SHAVING DOWN THE LOWER SPRINGS WAS "THE FIX." WITHIN AN HOUR, AMERICAN HONDA MOTORS CO., INC., BY ITS LEGAL TEAM, CLAIMED THAT "SHAVING DOWN" THE SPRINGS WAS "NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE" FOR THE CURRENT FIX, BUT RATHER THEY WOULD "TWEAK" THE SUSPENSION. NO FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THIS "TWEAKING" WAS PROVIDED. FINALLY, AFTER DECIDING NOT TO REPURCHASE THE CAR WITH DEFECTIVE STRUT ASSEMBLIES, HONDA CLAIMS THAT ITS ENGINEERS HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE STRUTS WERE BENT IN SHIPPING. THE CURRENT "FIX" IS TO BEND THE STRUT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, I.E., AWAY FROM THE SPRING, AND THAT ALL WILL BE WELL. NO CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN TO ANY METALLURGICAL DEFECTS FROM BENDING THE STEEL IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION, NOR ON ANY OTHER PART OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AS A RESULT OF THIS "TWEAKING." THE IDENTICAL SUSPENSION DEFECTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THIS WEBSITE AS EARLY AS APRIL 6, 2005, AND TO VARIOUS ACURA DEALERS IN THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA. A SINGLE DEALER REPLACED STRUTS ON FOUR (4) 2005 RSX CARS. MOREOVER, HONDA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE DEFECT AT LEAST SINCE MID-JULY, 2005, IF NOT BEFORE, YET REFUSES TO REPLACE THE CAR OR TO DEFINITIVELY DETERMINE THE PRECISE PROBLEM AND A UNIFORM AND PROPER CORRECTION SINCE THE REPLACEMENT STRUTS HAVE THE SAME DEFECT AS THOSE INSTALLED ORIGINALLY. INDEED, HONDA ADMITS THAT ALL 2005 RSX BASE MODEL CARS HAVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE A NEW STRUT SUPPLIER HAS BEEN PROVIDING THE STRUTS AND SPRINGS THAN HAS DONE SO PREVIOUSLY. *JB
Showing 20 of 197 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Acura RSX
These pages show model-year patterns across 5 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Acura RSX, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Acura RSX has 197 complaints on record across 5 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Acura RSX has 16 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 28 of the Acura RSX's 197 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Acura RSX vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Acura RSX vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Acura RSX has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Acura RSX by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Acura RSX.
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Acura RSX reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Acura RSX reliable?
Poor. The Acura RSX has 197 NHTSA owner complaints and 16 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Acura RSX years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2002 (93 complaints), 2005 (32 complaints), 2006 (24 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Acura RSX problems?
Top reported issues: POWER TRAIN (51 complaints); AIR BAGS (34 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (27 complaints).
Does the Acura RSX have recalls?
Yes — 16 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Acura RSX. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.