NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Acura RSX. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
The car stopped at an traffic intersection when making a left turn. Fortunately, the traffic was light. Later, a broken driver side cv axel was identified, which had sever corrosion inside the damper. the narrowest diameter is only 16mm vs 25mm of the axel.
THE LIGHT FOR MY AIR BAG IS ON AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT FLICKERS ON TOO. THE CRUSE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK.
WHILE DRIVING I STARTED TO SMELL FUEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. UPON INSPECTION OF THE FUEL PUMP, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP HAD CRACKED FILLING UP THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK COVER WITH RAW FUEL. SOME OF THE FUEL HAD MADE ITS WAY INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHILE THE REST LEAKED UNDER THE CAR ON TO THE GROUND. MY FEAR IS IF THIS GOES UNDETECTED, THE LEAKING FUEL COULD MAKE CONTACT WITH EXHAUST COMPONENTS AND CAUSE A FIRE. WHILE THE FUEL WAS LEAKING, THERE WERE NO DRIVABILITY ISSUES OTHER THAN THE SMELL OF FUEL.
MY CAR HAD A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE VEHICLE WHENEVER I DROVE IT. I LOOKED AND FOUND THAT THE GAS PUMP PLASTIC HOUSING WAS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF GAS HAD LEAKED INTO THE COMPARTMENT UNDER THE SEAT AND DOWN BELOW MY VEHICLE.
The contact owns a 2022 Acura RSX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that there were holes underneath the front driver’s and passenger’s side seats. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 261,000.
EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IT HAS HAD A SMELL OF GAS. I THOUGHT IT WOULD GO AWAY AFTER A CERTAIN TIME BUT IT DIDN'T SO I GOT THE CAR CHECKED OUT. I COME TO FIND OUT IT HAS A GAS LEAK. THIS IS SOMETHING VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT PUTS MY LIFE AT RISK AND IF ANYTHING HAPPENS THE CAR COULD BLOW UP. I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JUNE 2016 AND IM JUST A YOUNG 20 YEAR MAN THAT IS TRYING TO MAKE IT THROUGH COLLEGE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA RSX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
WHILE DRIVING APPROX 60 MPH FREEWAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND NOISILY AND SHUDDERED, A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED SINCE PURCHASE AND HAD ONLY A FEW WEEKS EARLIER UNDERGONE A 75,000 MILE TUNE-UP. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AND CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM IS A DAMAGED/LOOSENED TIMING CHAIN DUE TO A DEFECTIVE AUTO TENSIONER. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. NHTSA RECORDS DISCLOSES SERVICE BULLETIN #090105 CLEARLY IDENTIFYING A "DEFECTIVE AUTO TENSIONER". THESE REPAIRS WILL COST NEARLY $2,000! WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL INSTEAD OF A SIMPLE SERVICE BULLETIN WHEN YOUR RECORDS INDICATE NUMEROUS CARS ARE AFFECTED? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IN ADDITION TO BEING A FACTORY DEFECT AS THE TENSIONER CAN SEIZE THE ENGINE UPON FAILURE AND CAUSE THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL, ENDANGERING NOT ONLY MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS BUT OTHER DRIVERS WHO MAY BE AROUND ME. ACURA OF LYNNWOOD SERVICE MANAGER [XXX] HAS BEEN HOSTILE AND UNCOOPERATIVE AND REFUSED TO MEET WITH ME AFTER I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH HIM, AND WILL NOT AUTHORIZE THE REPAIRS AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT AUTHORIZED REPAIRS. I WAS VICTIMIZED ONCE BEFORE BY LYNNWOOD ACURA WHEN THE CAR ENGINE ON MY FIRST RSX BLEW UP (AT 5000 MILES!) DUE TO ERROR OF MECHANICS (DOUBLE-GASKETED OIL FILTER) AND NOW THE REPLACEMENT VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED SINCE SEPTEMBER 2013. PLEASE HELP! *TR
HEADLAMPS ARE VERY DULL MAKING VISIBILITY AT NIGHT VERY DIFFICULT. THERE IS CURRENTLY AN AFTERMARKET RECALL FOR EXTERIOR LIGHTING FROM (4) MFG'S. I BELIEVE I HAVE ORIGINALS FROM THE MANUFACTURER.
2002 ACURA RSX. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VALVE ASSEMBLY *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DRC CODE OF 91077. THE DEALER FOLLOWED THE REPAIR STEP IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY INSTALLED 17120-PPA-A01 VALVE ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, WHEN SHE WENT TO PICK THE VEHICLE UP, THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE DEALER ORDERED ANOTHER VALVE ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE LIGHT MAY STILL COME ON AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO FOLLOW CERTAIN DIAGNOSTIC STEPS IN ORDER TO GET THE ENGINE LIGHT TO GO OUT. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA RSX TYPE S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10-60 MPH, THE THIRD GEAR SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.
2002 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4.0 LITER JERKS WHEN ENGAGING INTO REVERSE. VEHICLE JERKS HARD ENOUGH THAT THE BRAKES ARE NOT ENOUGH TO STOP IT FROM MOVING. NO OTHER GEAR IS LIKE THIS. UPON FURTHER STUDY FROM ONLINE JOURNALS AND DISCUSSIONS PAGES AS WELL AS SPEAKING WITH TRANSMISSION TECHNICIAN, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THESE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA RSX. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SRS SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT FUNCTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE SRS SERVICE LIGHT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,136 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,862.
I'VE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE NEW RSX IN 02... THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED ON THE INTERNET... HOWEVER ACURA HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE... THE PROBLEM ONLY GOT WORSE OVER TIME AND FINALLY THE ENGINE BLEW OUT COMPLETELY AND STARTING SMOKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY... WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT NO CRASH OCCURRED BUT INJURIES/FATALITIES COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED. ACURA HAS FAILED TO OWN-UP TO THIS ENGINE/TRANSMISSION FAILURE ISSUE, EVEN IN CASES WHERE THE WARRANTY IS STILL VALID... I FEEL VERY MUCH MISLEAD AS I HAVE COMPLAINED TO MY DEALER SINCE PURCHASE AND THEY ALWAYS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM... I THINK THE FACT THAT ACURA HAS STOPPED MAKING THE RSX IS AN INDICATION OF THE SEVERITY OF THESE "HIDDEN" ISSUES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA RSX. WHEN SWITCHING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR, THE SHIFTER WOULD POP OUT OF GEAR AND MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 76,500.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA RSX. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE RESTRAINT ASSEMBLY WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V166002 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY AT THE COST OF $500. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/15/08. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA RSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHT BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL EVERY MONTH AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON HIS VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT A RECALL DOES NOT EXIST. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 77,000.
I PURCHASED 4 SIGMA REGENT TOURING 205/55TR16, 7E55 FROM TIRE KINGDOM IN MAY 2006 WHEN MY CARD HAD ~77K NOW IN JANUARY 07 WITH TIRES BEING ROTATED PROPERLY AND CAR HAVING 91K TWO OF THE TIRES HAVE SPLIT ON THE INSIDE AROUND THE RIM. BOTH TIRES APPEAR AS THOUGH THE HAVE BEEN SLICED WITH A RAZOR AROUND THE INSIDE SEAM, THIS WAS POINTED OUT TO ME BY MY ACURA DEALER MECHANIC. I HAVE PICTURES WHICH CAN BE PROVIDED. I AM HAVING A TIME GETTING TIRE KINGDOM TO MAKE RIGHT. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SRS INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEACTIVATE. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN RELEASED BY THE MANUFACTURER (TSB # 02-015) INDICATING THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SENSOR UNIT. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH MADE THE CONTACT CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #637638. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THIS WAS SAFETY DEFECT. THERE ALSO HAS BEEN TROUBLE WITH SWITCHING GEARS FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IT MADE A GRINDING SOUND WHILE GOING INTO SECOND GEAR. THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPED AT 12,7000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO ADDRESS EITHER PROBLEM.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED ON 6/27/06 WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED.THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IDENTIFIED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR. THE DEALER ALSO HAD A SERVICE BULLITEN REGARDING THIS PART. THE DEALER OFFERED TO ORDER THE PART, BUT REFUSED TO INSTALL THE COMPONENT, DUE TO AN AFTERMARKET TURBO CHARGER BEING ON THE VEHICLE.
HEADLIGHT BULBS KEEP BURNING OUT. *JB
I WAS DRIVING AND SHIFTED FROM 2ND TO THIRD AND I LET OUT THE CLUTCH AT 30 MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION CAME APART WITH GEARS ON THE GROUND. ACURA NEVER CALLED THE WARRANTY COMPANY SO IT WAS NEVER FIXED AND THEY REPOSED IT. *TR
I RECENTLY PURCHASED 2002 ACURA RSX WITH 21,200 MILES, 5SP MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE PASSED 150- POINT INSPECTION THAT WAS PERFORMED AT WHITE BEAR LAKES ACURA SUBARU, MN DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS ACURA-CERTIFIED, BUT I DECIDED NOT TO PURCHASE $1,600 CERTIFICATION PROGRAM BECAUSE OF MONEY CONSTRAINTS. NOW, WHEN TEMPERATURES AROUND HERE DROPPED TO 0 DEGREES F, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED 1-2 SHIFTING PROBLEM. SHIFTING TO 2ND GEAR IS REALLY HARD TO DO. MY 2ND GEAR SYNCHROS ARE ALWAYS GRINDING AND ESPECIALLY, NOW AT 20F I AM GETTING CONSTANT THE 1-2 NOTCH SHIFTS. I'VE NOTICED LOTS OF PEOPLE IN INTERNET NEWS GROUPS AND FORUMS ARE HAVING THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM. JUST READ IT: HTTP://WWW.PETITIONONLINE.COM/RSXGRIND/PETITION.HTML I KNOW FOR THE FACT THAT HONDA MOTORS COMPANY ON JULY, 1, 2002 ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN 02-016 DESCRIBING GEARS GRINDING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED BETWEEN GEARS. THEY CONCLUDED- WORN SYNCHRONIZERS! CORRECTIVE ACTION: REPLACE THE EFFECTED SYNCHRONISM SLEEVES SET(S). THE TSB ONLY APPLIES TOWARDS 2002 RSX TYPE S FROM VIN JDC530.2C000001 THROUGH JDC5302C033312. GOOD LUCK GETTING IT FIXED FOR OTHER VEHICLES. I CALLED LOCAL BUERKLE ACURA BROOKLYN PARK MN, NEW AND USED CAR DEALER AND INFORMED THEM MY FINDINGS. IN ADDITION, I INFORMED THAT I HAVE A COPY OF TSB DESCRIBING THE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED WITH MY VEHICLE. THEY RESPONSE WAS TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AND PAY US $150 FOR INSPECTION. WHEN PRESSED FOR MORE INFORMATION, THE SERVICE WRITER AT ACURA CATEGORICALLY DENIED ANYTHING AND STATED THAT THEY HAVE NO SUCH TSB IN THEIR POSSESSION. IN MY OPINION, ACURA RSX HAS A SERIOUS TRANSMISSION FLAW THAT CAUSES NORMAL SHIFTS INTO SECOND GEAR TO GRIND. THIS PROBLEM HAS HIGH FREQUENCY IN ALL MODEL YEARS. ACURA CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM.ACURA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ACURA DEALERS EITHER IGNORE THE PROBLEM OR BLAME OWNERS ABUSE AND/OR POOR DRIVING TECHNIQUE. *JB
I BOUGHT A USED 2002 ACURA RSX TYPE-S FROM FIESTA DODGE IN SAN ANTONIO, TX ON OCTOBER 3, 2005. THEY SAID THEY DID A FULL 101 POINT INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY APPROXIMATELY 48,000 MILES. I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 38 DAYS AND HAD PUT LESS THAN 3,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I NOTED POWER LOSS IN THE UPPER RPM BAND. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO GET INSPECTED, WHERE I FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL BADLY AND HAD DONE ENOUGH DAMAGE TO RUIN THE MOTOR, THANKFULLY I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT WAS SEEN AS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, BUT STILL I AM WITHOUT A CAR FOR THE NEXT MONTH WHILE THE NEW MOTOR IS INSTALLED. *JB
DT: CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND HE COULDN'T STEER THE CAR. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. HE DID NOTTAKE VEHICLE TO A DEALER YET.*AK
DT: PROBLEM WAS NOTICED ABOUT A WEEK AGO. THE HOOD LATCH IS BOLTED TO A PIECE OF METAL, AND THERE IS A BROKEN PLACE IN THE METAL. THE METAL PIECE BROKE AWAY FROM THE BODY ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AND THEN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD, THE METAL SHOWS FATIGUE, AND IS ALMOST BROKEN, AND IS READY TO BREAK AWAY SOON. METAL FATIGUE IS EVIDENT ON BOTH SIDES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THE CAR WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER TODAY. THE CASE NUMBER WITH ACURA IS 120050617300086. *AK
I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED PRE-OWN 2002 ACURA RSX - S ON 9/17/2004 FROM OCEAN ACURA, OCEAN NJ. I EVEN BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID THEY HAVE DONE OVER 100 POINTS CHECK AND HAVE DONE ALL NECESSARY MAINTENANCE. WITHIN TWO AND HALF WEEK, I AM EXPERINCING TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD AND SOMETIME A GRINDING SOUND. I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO BRING IN THE CAR ON 10/13/04. THAT APPOINTMENT NEVER TOOK PLACE BECAUSE THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON 10/09/04. I GOT IN TOUCH WITH ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY HAVE TOWED THE CAR TO THE NEAREST ACURA DEALER (RYAN'S OPEN ROAD) EAST BRUNSWICK N.J. I HAVE SPOKEN TO OCEAN ACURA, ACURA AMERICA AND RYAN'S SEVERAL TIME. RYAN HAS DETERMINE THAT THE ENGINE IS DAMAGE AND I WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE. THE DEALER (OCEAN) IS TRYING TO PUT THE BLAME ON ME SAYING THAT I HAVE ABUSED THE ENGINE AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT. OCEAN ACURA SAID, HE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE TO TALK TO ACURA AMERICA. TODAY IS 10/21/2004 AND I HAVE NOT GOT A DEFINITE RESOLUTION. ACURA AMERICA HAS NOT CALL ME BACK, OCEAN ACURA SAID THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. THE CAR IS AT RYAN'S. I PAID $21,000.00 FOR THE CAR. THEY SAID IT WILL COST $7000.00 TO PUT IN A NEW ENGINE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE ACURA RSX S AND I HAVE FOUND OVER 14,000 COMPLAINS ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. ACURA DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THESE MODELS. HELP!. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. IF I TAKE A LAWYER WILL HAVE TO ANOTHER $500 - $1000 LAWYER FEES. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF SOME COULD LEAD ME TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU.
MY DAUGHTER WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND IN HER 2002 ACURA RSX. HER SEAT BELT LATCH DID NOT HOLD AND SHE WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. HER INJURIES DO NOT, AT THIS TIME, APPEAR TO BE SERIOUS BUT SHE IS STILL SORE. I ASKED IF SHE WAS CERTAIN THE BELT WAS FASTENED PROPERLY AND SHE SAID IT WAS. THE CAR WAS TOTALED IN THE ACCIDENT. SHE WAS HIT BY AN OLDER MODEL FULL SIZED VAN. I WOULD GUESS THE SPEED OF IMPACT TO BE BETWEEN 35 TO 45 MPH. ROAD SPEED LIMIT WAS 45 MPH.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONSUMERS SON WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER MOTORIST. HER SON LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A METAL DIVIDER HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED OVER AND ROLLED THREE TIMES, LANDING ON IT'S ROOF. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS, OR THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES. *JB *NM *SC
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
MY 2002 ACURA RSX-S WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU MAY PULL OUT AND NEED TO ACCELERATE AND YOU CAN NOT. ROSENTHAL ACURA LOOKED AT THE CAR AND SAID IT NEEDED SOME PARTS FOR 3RD GEAR. THEY TOOK THE CAR APART AND FOUND A BROKEN SHIFT FORK LEVER. ACURA CORP SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH MY 50,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY IS STILL IN EFFECT. THEY DID NOT GIVE ANY REASON FOR DENYING MY CLAIM. AS OF NOW ACURA IS REFUSING TO COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY AND IS QUOTING ME OVER 2000 DOLLARS TO FIX A CAR THAT IS NOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD! THERE ARE OVER 900 PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET THAT HAVE ALL SIGNED A PETITION TO GET ACURA TO RECALL ALL THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 2002 AND 2003 ACURAS. PLEASE HELP ME OUT HERE.*AK
I DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO ESSERMAN INTERNATIONAL DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. ON MARCH 11, 2003 AFTER I EXPLAINED THE NOISES AND WAIT A WHOLE MORNING, I WAS GIVEN MY CAR BACK AND INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. *AK APRIL 14 I RETURNED TO THE SAME DEALER AND EXPLAINED THAT I STILL HEARD THE CRACKING NOISE AND THAT IT WAS HARD TO BRAKE. ONCE AGAIN MY CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME AND INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. FEBRUARY 20, 2004 I TOOK MY CAR TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER WHERE I PURCHASE MY VEHICLE, EXPLAINED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES AND IN ADDITION THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THIS TIME FOR MY SURPRISE THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TO RESURFACE FRONT BRAKES ROTORS AND THAT THERE WAS NO NOISE INSIDE THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY AFTER THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED THE CAR, THE D-4 LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THE NOISE ON THE BRAKE WAS WORSE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER SINCE I WAS SHIPPING MY CAR TO CA. THE VERY NEXT DAY. WHEN I RECEIVED MY CAR IN CA I TOOK THE CAR TO THE ACURA DEALER IN ELK GROVE FOR AN INSPECTION & ALSO EXPLAINED AGAIN THE WHOLE SITUATION. THIS TIME THOUGH I ALSO EXPLAINED THE EXPERIENCE I HAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR FROM OAKLAND TO SACRAMENTO (1 HOUR ): THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE ITSELF AND I HAD TO TAP ON THE GAS-PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO CHANGE GEARS. THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM MADE ME STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY THREE TIMES. ONCE AGAIN I RECEIVED MY CAR BACK AND TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR EXCEPT THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES PADS AN MY OWN COST. CUSTOMER RELATIONS WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES (MR. IAHWAN) BUT THIS MANAGER WILL NOT ANSWER MY LETTER, FAX OR VOICE MESSAGE. I INFORMED THE DEALER THAT D4-LIGHT WAS FLASHING, WHICH IN THE MANUAL STATES THAT IT CAN BE A PROBLEM W/TRANSMISSION, UNFORTUNATELY THE DEALER DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. THE D4 LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK. PLEASE HELP!
AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 35 MPH+. AFTER COLLISION, THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT SRS SYSTEM IS "DEFECTIVE" AND NEEDS A NEW PART IN ORDER FOR AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE FUTURE. *JB
OEM FOGLIGHT LENSES, CRACKS TOO EASILY. *AK
DURING A 35 MPH COLLISION FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM
2ND GEAR GRIND ON 6SPEED TRANSMISSION. SOMETIMES 3RD GEAR POPS OUT WHILE DRIVING. RICK CASE ACURA HAS REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION TWICE IN ONE YEAR. THE TRANSMISSION STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY ARE NOW PUTTING IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. I AM NOT THE ONLY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
IN THE 12 MONTHS I HAVE HAD MY CAR, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 7+ TIMES FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING, THE AIR CYCLES COLD-HOT-COLD-HOT-ETC, THEN OVER TIME BLOWS OUT HOT AIR. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED ALL THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED, THE CAR ALSO HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 2+ TIMES FOR STALLING AND ENGINE LOOSING POWER PROBLEMS, THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND THEN TOOK THE TOP PART OF THE ENGINE APART AND CHANGED THE VALVE CLEARANCE, THEY SAID THE VALVES WERE "TOO TIGHT" AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOOSE POWER AND SOMETIMES STALL, IT STILL HAS THE PROBLEM TODAY AND IS NOT FIXED.
I TOOK MY RSX-S TO VALENCIA ACURA FOR THEM TO CHECK MY TRANSMISSION FOR GRINDS AND WEARING OF THE CLUTCH. I LEAVE MY CAR THERE AND DECIDE TO GO TO THE MALL. AS I AM COMING BACK FROM THE MALL, I SEE MY CAR ON THE STREET BEING DRIVEN VERY HARD, AND FOR WHAT REASON? THERE'S NO REASON TO BE DRIVING LIKE THAT IN ORDER TO TEST THE GEARS OR CLUTCH OUT. SO THEY SAID THEY CALLED THEIRE DISTRICT MANAGER AND THEY WILL HEAR FROM THEM LATER IN THE DAY. SO I PICK MY CAR BACK UP AND START DRIVING AND I FELT THE CAR WAS A LITTLE WEIRD. WELL IT JUST SOO HAPPENED SOMETHING HAPPENED WHEN THE DEALER HAD IT AND I WASNT TOLD. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AS I USUALLY DO AND MY CAR LATER DIED ABOUT 1/2 MILE DOWN THE ROAD. NOW THEY HAVE THE MOTOR OPENED UP AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE MOTOR WAS MIS FIRING ALL 4 CYLINDERS AND ITS DUE TO OVER REVVING THE ENGINE. I NEVER OVER REVVED MY ENGINE AND IT ONLY HAPPENED AFTER I GOT MY CAR FROM THE DEALER.*AK
MY 2002 ACURA RSX EMITS A TERRIBLE ROTTEN EGG ODOR FORM THE EMISSION SYSTEM .. FUMES ARE VERY STRONG AND SURELY UNSAFE.. DEALER SAYS ONLY THAT I HAVE "BAD GAS" BUT IT'S BEEN A PERSISTENT PROBLEM FOR 18 MONTHS THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY.*AK
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE WHEN STOPPING ON DRY PAVEMENT WITH ANY KIND OF BUMPS OR POTHOLES. THIS OCCURS AT LEAST 2-3 TIMES PER MONTH. THE BRAKES DO NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, HAD THEM LOOK AT THE CAR, THEY TOLD ME THIS IS NORMAL AND NO ERROR CODES SHOWED UP ON THE DIAGNOSTICS. *AK
ACURA RSX: RADIATOR AND CONDENSER HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO PROTECTION (GRILL) IN THIS MODEL. THE RSX IS VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO ROAD DEBRIS DAMAGING THE CONDENSER AND RADIATOR RENDERING THE CAR INOPERATIVE, DUE TO OVERHEATING AND RAPID LOSS OF RADIATOR FLUID. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ACURA CONSIDERS THIS AN "ACT OF GOD" AND DOES NOT COVER THIS DAMAGE. MY SENSE IS THAT THIS IS VERY FAULTY MANUFACTURING. THE SERVICE MANAGERS RELATED TO ME THAT THERE HAS BEEN A "NUMBER" OF REPAIRS IN RECENT PAST, AND NOT JUST WITH THIS MODEL. THE NHTSA IS REQUESTED TO FULLY EXPLORE THIS PROBLEM WITH ACURA. *NLM
TRANSMISSION MISTAKENLY DOWNSHIFTED TO 2ND RATHER THAN UPSHIFTED TO 4TH AFTER AN UPHILL CLIMB. AT THE START OF THE DESCEND WHEN CAR GAINED SPEED I INTENDED TO UPSHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH BUT SHIFTED TO 2ND INSTEAD. I SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND FOUND THE CAR FACING WHERE I CAME FROM. THE ENGINE DIED AND WILL NOT RE-START. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND CLAIMED ENGINE WAS OVER REVVED AND BEYOND REPAIR. ACURA REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE SHIFTING MECHANISM AS IT IS VERY EASY TO MISTAKENLY SHIFT TO 2ND GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING OR DRIVING DOWNHILL. LUCKY NOBODY HURT. *JB
WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS AND POTHOLES ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*AK
I PURCHASED MY ACURA RSX, TYPE S ON 10-14-02. ON 02-14-03 I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY NOT WORKING WHEN IT WAS COLD OUT. THE PROBLEM OCCURED FOUR TIMES. I WOULD HAVE TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH MY KEY AND I WAS UNABLE TO MANUALLY LOCK THE CAR. IT WOULD ONLY LAST UNTIL IT WARMED UP. I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT ON 02-14-03, THEY SAID THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE CORRECTED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT ACTING UP AT THAT TIME. ALSO ON 02-14-03 THE CHECK ENGINE CODE WAS PULLED. IT WAS P1163, SLOW RESPONSE OF THE PRIMARY OXYGEN SENSOR. THEY STATED THAT THEY KNEW THE O2 SENSORS WERE SENSITIVE AND SUGGESTED TO RESET THE CODES AND WATCH FOR FURTHER PROBLEMS. ON 09-12-03 THE CHECK ENGINE COSE WAS PULLED AGAIN. IT WAS P1163, O2 SENSOR & P0219 ENGINE OVER SPEED FOR CONDITION. ON 09-23-03 THE O2 SENSOR WAS REPLACED. ON 10-13-03 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I COULD NOT GET IN UNTIL 10-16-03. ON 10-15-03 THE LIGHT WENT OFF. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT WANT TO PULL THE CODES SINCE THE LIGHT WENT OFF. I INSISTED THAT THE CODES BE PULLED, BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO BE FOUND NEGLIGENT IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN DOWN THE ROAD. THE CODES PULLED WERE P1163 & P0219. THEY SUGGESTED I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT AT. THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE O2 SENSOR AGAIN, BECAUSE THEY HAD JUST REPLACED IT. THEY FELT THERE WAS AN UNDERLYING CONDITION BESIDES THE O2 SENSOR. ON 11-03-03 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. MY APPOINTMENT IS 11-06-03. I HAVE SENT MY INFO TO AUTOMOBILE LEMON LAW ATTORNEYS IN ELMHURST IL. I ALSO CONTACTED ACURA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN TORRENCE CA. I WANT OTHERS TO BE AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS. THE ONLY REASON I BOUGHT AN ACURA IS BECAUSE OF IT'S REPUTATION OF BEING A WELL BUILT CAR.
POSSIBLE LEMON LAW QUALIFIER. *MR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON FOUR TIMES THE DEALER STATED THE #02 SENSOR WAS SENSITIVE, THEY ALSO SUGGESTED THAT THE PART SHOULD RESET. THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCKS AND KEYLESS ENTRY. *SCC *JB
PROBLEMS WITH 2002 ACURA RSX POSSIBLE LEMON LAW QUALIFIER. *MR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE 02 OXYGEN SENSOR WAS SENSITIVE AND WAS RESET BUT THE PROBLEM WAS MORE THAN TWO OCCASIONS. THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCKS/KEYLESS ENTRY, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD COME ON. *SCC *JB
WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, VEHICLE WILL EMIT A ROTTEN EGG (SULPHUR) SMELL INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN AIR FLOW IS SET TO 'FRESH AIR' AND NOT TO 'RECIRCULATE.' I FTHE 'RECIRCULATE' OPTION IS TRUNED ON, THE SMELL WILL DISSAPATE. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE EXHAUST GASES ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HAVE HEARD OTHERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS MATTER.
SECOND GEAR GRINDING LED TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NOW I HAVE TO GET MY TRANSMISSION REPLACED, AND DEALER WANTS ME TO BELIEVE ITS MY FAULT WHEN I RARELY DRIVE IT HARD.
TRANSMISSION IS HORRIBLE IN THE CAR THIS IS THE 2ND ONE THAT WENT ON ME. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT IT POPPED OUT OF 2ND GEAR AND GRINDED INTO 3RD. THE SECOND TIME IT STARTED THE SAME WAY AS THE FIRST ONE WENT, BUT IT ONLY GOT WORSE BECAUSE IT GOT STUCK IN 3RD GEAR AND THAT WAS THE ONLY GEAR THAT WOULD WORK, NOT EVEN REVERSE!