2004 Acura Rsx

Routine

Owners filed 17 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › manual transmission. It has been recalled 4 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Manual Transmission6
000
Tires3
200
Air Bags3
202
Air Bags › Frontal2
202
Unknown or Other1
000
Suspension › Front1
000
Exterior Lighting1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. 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.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting06E064000
Filed Jul 17, 20064,029 vehiclesTradesonic

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.

Risk. 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.

Exterior Lighting06E038000
Filed May 8, 2006724 vehiclesAlfaotto Auto Accessories

Defect. 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.

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

Remedy. ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights06E023000
Filed Mar 13, 2006292,000 vehiclesAnzo Usa, Inc.

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."

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 21, 2020128,628 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 ACURA RSX. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, A DRUNK DRIVER WENT THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING THE CONTACTS HEAD TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT WHERE DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILAGE WAS 128,628. THE VIN PROVIDED WAS INVALID. *DT *JB

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 17, 201150,294 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA RSX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ACTIVATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE ILLUMINATION OF THE HEADLIGHTS WAS EXTREMELY DIM AND OBSTRUCTED THE VISION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E023000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS). THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,294.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 17, 200977,500 milesCA

VERY HEAVY FRONT END DAMAGE TO CAR CAUSED BY RUNAWAY DUMPTRUCK. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HAD AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LESSER AMOUNT OF INJURIES. *TR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 200930,000 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA RSX. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR FOLLOWED BY A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD DOWNSHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR, THERE WAS A LOW POWER RESPONSE AND A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE FAILURES INCREASED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 24, 200911,000 milesTX

MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A 2004 RSX-S. IT HAS A SIX SPEED TRANSMISSION. WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND, GEAR GRINDS, AND SOMETIMES LOCKS OUT. WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD, GEAR GRINDS AND SOMETIMES POPS OUT. DEALERSHIP GIVES ME THE RUN-A-ROUND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIX SINCE MY CAR IS PAST WARRANTY. WHY WAS I NOT CONTACTED BY AMERICAN HONDA ABOUT THIS FAILURE ON AN OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT SAFETY MALFUNCTION? I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO GEAR. DEALER SAID I HAD TO FORK OVER THE $$$ FOR THE REPAIR MYSELF WHICH IS UNHEARD OF. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR IT IMPECCABLE RECORD, NOW TO FIND OUT I AND COUNTLESS OF HUNDREDS MAYBE THOUSANDS, HAVE PURCHASED A LEMON WHEN AMERICAN HONDA KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. AMERICAN HONDA, WE, THE UNFORTUNATE 2004 ACURA RSX TYPE S OWNERS ARE NOT !!PLEASED THE WAY YOU TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS. *TR

TiresCrash
Filed Feb 22, 2008NJ

MY TIRE MICHELIN PILOT HX MXM4 BLEW WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR IT TO BLOW LIKE IT DID. IT SEEMS THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. *TR

TiresCrash
Filed Sep 7, 200662,000 milesCA

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD WAS DRY. WHEN THE DRIVER TRIED TO TURN BACK TOWARDS THE ROAD, THE WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE HITTING THE CENTER DIVIDER. THE UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS AN EIGHT INCH LONG SLIT THROUGH THE TIRE. THE BRAND OF THE TIRE WAS NEXEN; MODEL # N3000. THE DOT # IS 8EFX. THE SIZE WAS: 245/45/ZR16. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - *NM

Suspension › Front
Filed Aug 6, 200619,000 milesTX

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF SUSPENSION PRODUCES CLICKING/POPPING NOISE WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jun 6, 200613,000 milesCA

I HAVE A 2004 RSX-S A-SPEC . IT HAS A SIX SPEED TRANSMISSION. WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND, GEAR SOMETIMES GRINDS, WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND GEAR TO THIRD, GEAR GRINDS AND SOMETIMES POPS OUT. DEALERSHIP GAVE ME THE RUN-A-ROUND SAYING THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM". I HEAR OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 27, 200543,100 milesCA

DT: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 45 MPH HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STROKE A FENCE AND A NEIGHBOR'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED ON THE FRONT AND THE SIDES. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE AGENCY. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 19, 2005NJ

CONSUMER IS DISSATISFIED WITH THE 2004 RSX ACURA HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES. *TS *JB

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 19, 200500

THE ACURA RSX 2004 HAS VERY POOR TRACTION ON ICY SURFACES, EVEN WITH GOOD WINTER TIRES. FIRST NOTICED LAST YEAR WHEN WE PUT EXTRA SAND BAGS IN THE TRUNK. THIS YEAR MY DAUGHTER LOST CONTROL ON THE ICE AND HIT A WALL. SHE WAS INJURED. THE AIRBAGS ALSO DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Oct 16, 20054,000 milesVA

MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A 2004 RSX-S. IT HAS A SIX SPEED TRANSMISSION. WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND, GEAR GRINDS, AND SOMETIMES LOCKS OUT. WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD, GEAR GRINDS AND SOMETIMES POPS OUT. EVENTUALLY LOCKING OUT. DEALERSHIP GIVES ME THE RUN-A-ROUND. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, WE ALL CAN'T BE WRONG. ACCIDENT COULD BE CAUSED BY NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO GEAR AND GETTING REAR ENDED. I HAVE ANOTHER APPT. WITH THE DEALER ON MONDAY. SICK OF GETTING THE RUN-A-ROUND AND WOULD LIKE AN INQUIRY AS TO THE EXTENT OF THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED TO A LOT MORE PEOPLE THAN ME.*JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Apr 2, 2005VA

TRANSMISSION KEEPS BREAKING. TWO FAILURES SO FAR. 2ND GEAR CRUNCH TURNING INTO GRIND AND EVENTUAL LOCKOUT, 3RD GEAR POPPING OUT, 4TH OCCASIONALLY POPPING OUT. ACURA KEEPS REBUILDING TRANSMISSION INTERNALS, REPLACING SYNCROS, BUT TRANSMISSION BREAK AGAIN IN A FEW MONTHS OF DRIVING.*AK

Air Bags
Filed Feb 14, 20057,100 milesCA

I HAVE 7,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME MY SRS SYSTEM HAS FAILED. THE SRS COMPUTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ALREADY. MY BUSINESS PARTNER ALSO HAS A 2004 RSX AND HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM 5 TIMES ALREADY. THERE ARE ALSO NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS POSTED ACROSS THE INTERNET, SPECIFICALLY ON CLUBRSX.COM ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT WHEN THE SRS LIGHT IS LIT THAT ALL OF MY AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED. I FEAR THAT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IN ADDITION THERE IS A SERVICE BULLITEN OUT THAT STATES THAT A CELL PHONE CHARGER CAN SOMETIMES CAUSE THE SAFETY SYSTEM TO FAIL IN THE CAR. I THINK THAT IF PLUGGING IN A CELL PHONE CHARGER INTO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER CAUSES THE SRS SYSTEM TO FAIL, THERE IS MAJOR DESIGN FLAW WITHIN THE SRS SYSTEM ITSELF.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 10, 200411,800 milesTX

THIRD GEAR WOULD CONSTANTLY ENGAGE 1/2 WAY, THEN POP OUT. SOMETIMES IT WOULD JUST GRIND INTO PLACE. ON A QUICK TRIP TO A STORE, WHEN I SHIFTED FROM 1 TO 2, 1ST GEAR SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PEICES. DEALER BLAMED IT ON AN AFTERMARKET EXHAUST MANIFOLD, NOT ON THE OBVIOUS: A FAULTY TRANSMISSION/

Tires
Filed Jan 6, 2004CT

VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS IN SNOW DUE TO ITS TIRES. CAUSING INABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE EVEN WITH CONCENTRATED ATTENTION. *LA (NAR) *CB

17 of 17 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2002
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20081000Routine
20071000Routine
200624200Routine
200532200Routine
2004 — this page17400Routine
200325400Routine
200276410Routine
20012000Routine

Compare every Rsx year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.