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2005 Acura RSX problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Acura RSX is suspension, typically around 140 miles. It has 1.3 times the complaints of a typical RSX model year.

Typical year1.3x the typical complaints
Year score
65/100
Owner complaints
32
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
25
Worst area
Suspension
Fuel economy
23-26mpg

The worst 2005 Acura RSX problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Suspension
    13
  • Airbags
    4
  • Electrical
    3
  • Visibility
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Tires
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Brakes
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Acura RSX

Harsh shifting 6

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Acura RSX 25

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 25 bulletins for the 2005 Acura RSX

2005 Acura RSX fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD20-2428-3123-26

What 2005 Acura RSX owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 31, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · VA

The transmission it’s going bad

Filed Oct 10, 2020 · Electrical · CA

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

Filed Dec 14, 2018 · 51,200 miles · OH · crash

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 going at a lower rate but I could not stop, it was making straining creaking sounds. I had turned left to avoid the SUV facing me in the other space facing me when it surged forward. There was a cart corral there that I hit and pushed it and it swung around and moved into the driving lane still moving. I pushed the gear shift into neutral and the revves dropped immediately and the car stopped then. There was no reason for the engine to speed up, I was braking lightly as I approached the parking space and I continued trying to brake until it finally stopped. I was at no time on the gas peddle, there was not carpet or other object to interfere with the gas peddle. When I moved the shift lever to neutral the engine dropped to a idle immediately. There was scratches on the hood, bumper and headlight cover and small dent in driver door. No injuries and I was able to push the corral back in place by hand. I researched unexplained acceleration for acura and honda and found accounts of honda incidents very similar to mine with much worse .outcomes. I filed an insurance claim and now I am going to contact acura. I took pictures with my phone but haven't gotten them to the computer

Filed Oct 3, 2016 · Brakes · 109,000 miles · MA

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). Both model year cars use the same booster, so it is likely the same cause and same risk to all 2005 acura rsx models. I feel this should be recalled to make sure no-one has an accident due to weak brakes, especially where the problem was identified for the same model car one year later, that uses the same part.

Filed Jan 23, 2016 · Airbags · 99,999 miles · PA

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).

Filed Dec 10, 2014 · 91,000 miles · DC

Drivers side seat appears to be loose at a rivited joint.

Filed Dec 8, 2014 · Airbags · 151,000 miles · AZ

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

Filed May 2, 2013 · Tires · 63,019 miles · NY · crash

On 11/20/12, I drove my 2005 acura rsx to acura of manhattan (aom) in ny, ny. The service included 4 new tires -- michelin 215/45/17. 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. I return to aom on 12/03/12, mentioning the vibrations, blown-out tire, and 3 under-inflated tires. Aom guarantees that all remaining tires are in good condition and replaces the blown-out tire. On 12/14/12, on a divided parkway the car again starts vibrating. I slow down to stop, but the rear of the car yanks to the right, the car spins wildly, I smash head-on into the median divider, the air bags deploy, the car spins around, the rear hits the median, I come to a standstill. No other car is involved. I am unhurt. I leave the car; I notice one rear tire off the rim and the other one flat. The police write up an accident report. The car is towed to a garage. My insurance company rapidly determines it is a total loss. It was the first time ever that a car of mine vibrated -- not once but twice in two weeks. The first time, one tire blew out; the second time, both rear tires were either off the rim or flat. And this immediately after aom had replaced all 4 tires. I sent a certified mail letter to [xxx], president and chairman of aom, asking for an explanation. I got 3 non-explanatory e-mails from a [xxx]; none addressed the questions raised in my letter. I report this to the federal safety agency to prevent further accidents caused by improper service by aom. Were the tires defective? Did the local distributor provide old tires with reduced elasticity? Did the tires properly fit my car's rims? Did aom correctly install, calibrate and balance the tires? As of this writing, no response has been given by aom which is avoiding the issue. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 18, 2010 · Airbags, Electrical · 87,584 miles · CA

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 came on. I would like to know if this is just my car happen to have bad airbag circuitry or it is an ongoing issue that acura does not want to address. I checked multiple boards of rsx owners like www.clubrsx.com and see many of them have similar problems.

Filed May 12, 2010 · Wheels · 32,000 miles · NJ

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. This was first discovered on normal monthly pressure check when the tire pressure was 12lbs/sqin below specification. On inspection no puncture of the tire was found and the leak was traced to corrosion at the rim and valve seat. On complaining to the acura dealer under warranty, I was told that wheel damage is not covered but this is not "damage" - it's corrosion due to poor materials and especially paint finish. The wheels are all completely free of accidental dents or nicks and the leak is entirely due to corrosion and I now fear that it will show up in all the other wheels. This is a serious safety hazard and I now have to check all tire pressures weekly and re-inflate the currently affected single wheel. My only remedy here is to have all four wheels refinished at considerable expense.

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Questions about the 2005 Acura RSX

Is the 2005 Acura RSX reliable?

Owners have filed 32 complaints about the 2005 Acura RSX, 1.3 times a typical RSX model year.

What is the 2005 Acura RSX year score?

The 2005 Acura RSX scores 65 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Acura RSX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Acura RSX?

Suspension, with 13 complaints, typically around 140 miles. Next is airbags (4).

How many recalls does the 2005 Acura RSX have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Acura RSX get?

Official estimates for the 2005 Acura RSX range from 23 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-24 city and 28-31 highway.

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