Here Are The 5 Acura RSX Years to Avoid

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Updated: May 10, 2023

Do you dream of owning an Acura RSX? Before you make a purchase, it's essential to know which years to avoid. From power train issues to problems with air bags and suspension, the RSX has had its fair share of trouble. In this post, we'll take a closer look at the problematic years of the Acura RSX and help you make an informed decision.

Worst Years of Acura RSX by Complaints, Severity of Issues Reported, and Recalls

2002 71 2005 30 2003 25 2006 22 2004 16

What are the Biggest Problems with Acura RSX?

2002 Acura RSX

MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 12 AIR BAGS 8 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 5 ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4

The Acura RSX seems to have a laundry list of problems, based on the complaints of real owners and official recalls statistics. From power train issues in both manual and automatic transmissions, to problems with the air bags, anti-lock brakes, and engine cooling, this car has seen its fair share of trouble. It's a shame, because on paper, the RSX looks like a fun and sporty ride. But when you start to dig into the details, it becomes clear that this car has some serious flaws. If you're in the market for a used RSX, make sure to do your research and proceed with caution.

2001 Acura RSX

DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY 1 MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 1

The Acura RSX 2001 has had some notable problems with its defroster/defogger/HVAC system, which can impact visibility and make driving unsafe. Additionally, the manual transmission has been known to have power train issues, causing frustration for drivers. These problems have been reported by owners and backed up by official recall statistics. While the Acura RSX is a stylish and fun car to drive, these issues should be taken into consideration before purchasing.

2003 Acura RSX

AIR BAGS 5 MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 5 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 POWER TRAIN 3 ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2

Well, here we have an Acura RSX from 2003. And it looks like we got a laundry list of issues here. First off, we got the air bags. Now, I don't know about you, but I like my air bags to be working properly. Then we got the manual transmission and power train. That's not good. You need those to, you know, actually drive the car. And to top it off, we got problems with the vehicle speed control and engine and engine cooling. Yikes, this car needs some serious TLC.

2004 Acura RSX

MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 6 TIRES 4 FRONTAL > AIR BAGS 2 AIR BAGS 2 FRONT > SUSPENSION 1

Now, this 2004 Acura RSX might seem like a decent little sports car, but don't be fooled. Its manual transmission is known to give out, and the tires wear down faster than a cheetah chasing its prey. Plus, the air bags and suspension are prone to issues, which can be a real pain in the backside. However, if you can overlook these problems, the RSX does offer a smooth ride and impressive handling.

2005 Acura RSX

FRONT > SUSPENSION 8 AIR BAGS 3 UNKNOWN OR OTHER 3 MACPHERSON STRUT > FRONT > SUSPENSION 3 MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 2

This 2005 Acura RSX has some front suspension issues, as well as problems with the air bags and an unknown or other issue. Despite these problems, this car is a great option for those who want a stylish and sporty ride with a manual transmission. It's perfect for those who love to drive and want a car that can handle tight turns and quick acceleration.

Common Issues with Acura RSX

AIR BAGS 19 EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7 UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6 POWER TRAIN 6 TIRES 6 STRUCTURE 4 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 3 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3

Source

Conclusion

If it isn't the Acura RSX. Now, this car may look like a sporty little number, but let me tell you, it's got some common problems that you need to be aware of. According to real owners and official recall statistics, the power train is a major issue across multiple years, with the manual transmission being a particular culprit. The air bags and anti-lock/traction control/electronic limited slip system have also caused headaches for RSX owners. In the 2001 model year, the defroster/defogger/HVAC system caused issues with visibility. And in the 2004 model year, you'll want to keep an eye on the tires, frontal air bags, and power train. So, if you're thinking about buying an RSX, make sure you do your research and know what you're getting into.