RSX (DC5)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
K20A3
2.0L 4-cyl / 160 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
K20A2
2.0L 4-cyl / 200 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Acura RSX Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Acura RSX, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2002-2006 Acura RSX
On a used 2002-2006 Acura RSX, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (41), the airbags and driver-assist systems (32) and the engine (25). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 41 owner complaints on the 2002-2006 Acura RSX about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on the 2002-2006 Acura RSX about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on the 2002-2006 Acura RSX about the engine, all engines combined.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 23 owner complaints on the 2002-2006 Acura RSX about the cooling system, all engines combined.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 10 owner complaints on the 2002-2006 Acura RSX about the body and structure.
Recalls (6)
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 a vacuum when the brake pedal is depressed, decreasing brake assist.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
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 EQUIPMENT.
CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Show 1 older recall
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 EQUIPMENT."
Alternatives in Compact Coupe
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2002-2006 Acura RSX complaints?
Owners have filed 174 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2006 Acura RSX. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the safety systems and the engine.
Is the 2002-2006 Acura RSX a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 174 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2006 Acura RSX. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2006 Acura RSX have?
NHTSA has 174 owner complaints on file for the 2002-2006 Acura RSX as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2002-2006 Acura RSX?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls covering some 2002-2006 Acura RSX vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Acura RSX?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the safety systems and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the RSX have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2002-2006 Acura RSX. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 174 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.