VehicleVerdict

2005 Acura RSX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 38 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median RSX year — the 2005 model ranks #2 of 8 RSX years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Suspension leads the complaint categories with 13 reports (34% of the total).

38

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other RSX years?

RSX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted91 complaints2001: 3 complaints2002: 91 complaints2003: 30 complaints2004: 19 complaints2005: 38 complaints2006: 28 complaints2007: 1 complaints2008: 1 complaints
RSX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all RSX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Acura RSX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension1334%
Airbags411%
Other411%
Electrical System38%
Tires & Wheels38%
Visibility & Wipers38%
Engine25%
Steering25%
Transmission25%
Lighting13%
Brakes13%

Does the 2005 Acura RSX have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E064000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 4,029 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06E023000LightingMarch 13, 2006 · 292,000 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“BOUGHT RZX ACURA HAD IT FOR TWO WEEK LOUD NOICE FRONT RIGHT THE ORDER A NEW STRUT ASSEMBLY REPAIRED CAR. 4 DAYS LATER SAME SOUND WENT BACK THEY SAID SPRING IS RUBBING THE STRUT BASE FIXED IT SO FAR ITS BEEN TWO DAYS WE WILL SEE. IT IS HORRIBLE TO SAVE AND SPEND SO MUCH FOR A NEW CAR HAVE IT FOR 2…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 18, 2005

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 1, 2014

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 10, 2018 · crash

“THE ISSUE I AM HAVING IS NOT A ONE TIME PROBLEM BUT SEEMS TO BE ONGOING IN THE WINTER MONTHS. WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE, THE WINDOWS OF MY CAR, INCLUDING FRONT AND BACK WINDSHIELDS, FOG AND ICE UP SIGNIFICANTLY. I HAVE THE DEFROSTER GOING AT FULL BLAST ON HIGHEST HEAT, BUT I STILL HAVE THIS ISSUE.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · December 1, 2009

“I HAVE 2005 RSX TYPE S, AND WITHIN PAST 2.5 YEARS I HAD CIRCUITRY RELATED TO THE AIRBAGS PASSENGER AND DRIVER FAILED. AT 64,000 MILES PASSENGER DETECTION SENSOR IN THE SEAT FAILED AND WAS REPLACED WHEN SRS LIGHT CAME ON, AT 87,584 MILES AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT FAILED AND AIRBAG NOT FUNCTIONING LIGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 13, 2010

2005 Acura RSX — common questions

Is the 2005 Acura RSX reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 38 complaints put the 2005 model at #2 of 8 RSX years. It is one of the RSX years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 RSX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (13 complaints), airbags (4 complaints), other (4 complaints).

Does the 2005 Acura RSX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Acura RSX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Acura RSX years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the RSX years to avoid are 2002, 2005. The cleanest record among RSX years belongs to 2008.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.