2005 Acura RSX: common problems and reliability

The 2005 Acura RSX has 32 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are suspension and air bags. Owners most often flag ripped/torn leather seats, 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.

Safety record for the 2005 model year

32
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
3
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Acura RSX vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

suspension
13
air bags
4
electrical system
3
visibility
3
steering
2

Recalls affecting the 2005 RSX

exterior lighting

Campaign 06E064000

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 MO…

exterior lighting:headlights

Campaign 06E023000

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 VEHI…

What owners say across generations

Deeply divided sentiment for sport compact coupe, polarizing enthusiasts between passionate Type S advocates versus dismissive critics of base models.

  • Ripped/torn leather seats, 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
  • Timing chain tensioner wear, 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

Owner insights cover all generations of the RSX. See the full RSX owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used RSX listings typically run $9,900–$15,022 across 2002 to 2006 model years.

Other RSX model years

Compare every RSX year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.

2002 RSX

Compare the RSX against its rivals

RSX vs Mazda 3RSX vs Acura TSXRSX vs Hyundai Tiburon
Full Acura RSX owner reportCompare against another car