AI Damage2005 Acura RSX: common problems
Owners of the 2005 Acura RSX filed 32 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 32
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 41% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 9% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 6% of all complaints
- 8 Engine 3% of all complaints
- Suspension: 13 complaints (41% of all).
- Air bags: 4 complaints (13% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (9% of all).
- Visibility: 3 complaints (9% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (6% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
- manual, 6-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 32 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
On 12/01/12, after 40-50 miles with new tires, the vehicle starts vibrating. I stop and notice a blown-out front right tire. Emergency road assistance puts on the spare tire, notices the other 3 tires are under-inflated and adds air.
Tire blew out while driving approximately 55 mph on highway resulting in loss of control of vehicle, and a crash. The crash caused major front bumper damage and damaged the wheel of the blown out tire to the point where it needed to be replaced.
I bought a vehicle last year and never ran the carfax but now I have it and it appears the mileage has been tampered with
The car failed to stop for an intersection. Luckily there was no cross traffic, so we did not have an accident. Mechanic diagnosed the problem: power brake booster failed to keep vacuum, making brakes weak. I see that this exact failure was recalled for the next model year (2006).
Takata recall my airbag light keeps on coming on for many years. The acura dealer does not know the issue and will not repair the airbags until there is a recall of the airbags. The light has come on probably once per year (I've owned the car for 7 years).
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
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 came on.
All the aluminum wheels on my 2005 acura rsx-s are showing signs of early corrosion due to bubbling & erosion of the painted surface. One is particularly bad and is losing pressure at a rate of ~3lbs/sqin per week.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,635 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 18% most complained about).
On average one model year of the RSX has 22 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 32, above average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Acura RSX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, air bags, electrical system. Total complaints: 32. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (22%), airbag warning light (9%), warning lights, check engine (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2005 Acura RSX?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2005 Acura RSX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2005 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.