Acura RSX Problems by Year

We compared every Acura RSX model year from 2002–2006 using 174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2002, which drew far more complaints than other RSX years at the same age. The best years are 2004.

5model years
174complaints
2recalls
2002worst years
2004best years

Complaints by model year

200220032004200520067625173224
Owner complaints per model year, Acura RSX. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
200624typical2SuspensionAverage
200532typical—SuspensionAverage
200417−29%—TransmissionAverage
200325typical—TransmissionAverage
2002762.7×—TransmissionAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median RSX year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Acura RSX problems

  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 2002
    4124%
  • Air bagsworst: 2002
    3218%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 2002
    2514%
  • Suspensionworst: 2005
    2112%
  • Brakesworst: 2002
    137%
  • Lightsworst: 2006
    116%
  • Body & structureworst: 2002
    95%
  • Electrical systemworst: 2002
    95%
  • Wheels & tiresworst: 2004
    85%
  • Steeringworst: 2002
    63%
  • Other / not specified
    63%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 2002
    53%
  • A/C & heaterworst: 2005
    42%
  • Seat beltsworst: 2002
    32%
  • Seatsworst: 2002
    32%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroofworst: 2002
    32%
  • Speed control & accelerationworst: 2003
    32%
  • Locks & latchesworst: 2002
    11%
  • Driver assistanceworst: 2002
    11%
  • Equipment & accessoriesworst: 2005
    11%
  • Stability & traction controlworst: 2006
    11%

Latest Acura RSX recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum

NHTSA recall 13V-246 · Jun 13, 2013 · 18,352 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual

NHTSA recall 06V-270 · Jul 26, 2006 · 1,190,000 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Acura RSX should you avoid?

2002 — this year has the most complaints relative to other RSX years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2002.

What is the best year for the Acura RSX?

2004 has the fewest complaints compared with other RSX years at the same age. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Acura RSX problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (41), air bags (32) and engine & cooling (25). Transmission complaints peak in the 2002 model year.

How many recalls has the Acura RSX had?

2 recalls across 2002–2006. The model year with the most is 2006.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.