Most common 2005 Acura RSX problems
Share of the 32 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Acura RSX complaints by model year
Best RSX years: 2004. Years to avoid: 2002. Compare all years →
What 2005 Acura RSX owners say
Suspension
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. …
The rear of the vehicle pulls to the side when using the brakes on the freeway. When I had my mechanic check it, he found that the right rear wheel had excessive toe-in and corrected it. This is with a with a brand new automobile. I took it to the dealer for other problems also and they denied anything was wrong. Again, this is a brand new car with less than 500 miles on it. It started occurring with 100 miles on it. This report is for a Acura RSX automobile. There is no selection for the Acura RSX automobile on this website (next page).
Air bags
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).
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.
Wheels & tires
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.
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. …
2005 Acura RSX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 24 / 31 / 26 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 31 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Acura RSX a good car?
Based on 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 RSX rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the RSX at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Acura RSX?
The suspension — 13 complaints, 41% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front. Next are the air bags (4) and wheels & tires (3).
How many recalls does the 2005 Acura RSX have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 Acura RSX. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Acura RSX?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2002. See the full Acura RSX years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Acura RSX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 2,000 miles; 70% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.