Model year record

2005 Acura RSX recalls & problems

The 2005 Acura RSX has 2 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (13 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints32filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

2005 Acura RSX in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E0640004,029 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Exterior lightingMar 13, 2006

Headlights

Recall 06E023000292,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2005 Acura RSX 2-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2005 Acura RSX NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

RSX

26mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

RSX

25mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

RSX

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
SuspensionFront; Front › Macpherson strut	13	0	140 mi
Air bagsFrontal	4	0	93,791 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core	3	0	—
Unknown or other	3	1	—
Electrical system	3	0	—
Tires	2	2	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar	2	0	—
Power trainManual transmission	2	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights	1	0	—
Engine and engine cooling	1	0	—
EquipmentRecreational vehicle/trailer	1	0	—
Wheels	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine
The transmission itâs going bad
Apr 20, 2021
Electrical system
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
Oct 8, 2020
Unknown or otherCrash
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…
Dec 10, 2018 · 51,200 miles
Service brakes
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.
Oct 1, 2016 · 109,000 miles
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).
Dec 31, 2015 · 99,999 miles
Unknown or other
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT APPEARS TO BE LOOSE AT A RIVITED JOINT.
Dec 10, 2014 · 91,000 miles
Air bags
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
Dec 1, 2014 · 151,000 miles
TiresCrash
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…
Dec 14, 2012 · 63,019 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.