Avoid: 2002 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2006
5 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 5 model years, the Acura RSX has 197 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 16 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and air bags. 2002 drew the most complaints (93), 2004 the fewest (17).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Acura RSX vehicles (US, public record). Typical used asking price $7,900–$14,399.
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
Highest: 2002 (93 complaints). Lowest: 2004 (17).
Deeply divided sentiment for sport compact coupe, polarizing enthusiasts between passionate Type S advocates versus dismissive critics of base models.
Driver bolster wear extremely common 100,000+ miles, leather cracks and tears exposing foam, aftermarket seat covers temporary solution, reupholstery $400-$800 per seat, replacement seats $200-$600 used market, very frequent.
Produces rattle noise particularly cold starts, tensioner extends over time losing tension, replacement required 180,000-250,000 miles (290,000-402,000 km), neglect causes chain jump and catastrophic valve damage, replacement cost $800-$1,500 including labor, recurrent.
Failed taillight gaskets allow water intrusion, collects under spare tire well causing rust, replacement gaskets $20-$40 per side plus labor, check spare tire area for water damage and rust, very frequent.
Notorious weak point causing hood to fly open while driving creating life-threatening situation, latch mechanism breaks allowing unlatched hood, replacement $80-$150 plus labor, inspect and replace preventively, recurrent.
Rear wheel wells, fenders, rocker panels, spare tire well, windshield top edge vulnerable especially salt-belt climates, surface treatment essential before spreading, comprehensive rust repair $1,500-$4,000 depending on severity, recurrent (climate-dependent)
Owner insights cover all generations of the RSX. Individual model years are broken down above.
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