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2006 Acura RSX problems

The most common problem on the 2006 Acura RSX is lights, typically around 50,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical RSX model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
75/100
Owner complaints
24
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
16
Worst area
Lights
Fuel economy
23-26mpg

The worst 2006 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.

  • Lights
    5
  • Suspension
    5
  • Transmission
    5
  • Body
    4
  • Brakes
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Seats
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Acura RSX

Grinding brakes 5

Recalls 2

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuumReported June 13, 2013 · 18,352 vehicles affected
What is wrong
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2006 Acura RSX vehicles manufactured January 18, 2006, through August 12, 2006; and model year 2006-2007 Honda S2000 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2006, through November 13, 2006. The brake booster may be unable to maintain a vacuum when the brake pedal is depressed, decreasing brake assist.
Risk
With reduced braking assistance, the vehicle may require additional brake pedal force to prevent a lengthened stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster assembly. If necessary, the dealers will replace the booster assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1‑310‑783‑2000. Honda's recall number is JA4. Acura's recall number is JA5.

Recall number 13V246000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: owners/service/other manualReported July 26, 2006 · 1,190,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the federal safety agency's (the federal safety agency) vehicle safety hotline.
Risk
The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
Remedy
Honda will send a postcard to dealers and owners with the correct the federal safety agency vehicle safety hotline information and with instructions to insert the card into the "reporting safety defects" section of the owner's manual. The recall began on august 2, 2006. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009, acura at 1‑800‑382‑2238 or honda motorcycles at 1‑866‑784‑1870.

Recall number 06V270000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2006 Acura RSX

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Acura RSX 16

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

See all 16 bulletins for the 2006 Acura RSX

2006 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 2006 Acura RSX owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 3, 2025 · Seats · NY

Excessive wear on front seats recliner brace/bar. This causes unintended excessive movement/rocking (back & forth) in the seats which could create a safety hazard.

Filed Apr 18, 2021 · Body · 193,000 miles · IL

The hood latch is separating from the the bracket attached to the frame. This occurred while attempting to secure the hood closed while parked. The latch no longer aligns correctly with the hood. The vehicle has 193000 miles. It appears the metal bracket is of insufficient design strength. The safety latch will not be able to hold the hood closed if the there is vibration at high speeds. Other owners report failures where the latch breaks loose. Some owners attempt repairs with epoxy that do not last. All vehicles of this model should be inspected and the bracket replaced to avoid accidents.

Filed Mar 10, 2014 · Body, Electrical · 40,000 miles · CT

There is water and condensation build up inside the tail lights. I have replaced them a few times and still have issues. This can be a serious electrical hazard and I've read many forums of people having the same issue. I feel acura should take care of this problem.

Filed Aug 19, 2013 · Brakes · VA

2006 acura rsx. Consumer writes in regards to vacuum leak within brake booster recall notice and unsatisfactory customer service from dealership. *smd the consumer stated it was an inconvenience to have the recall work done on a weekday. She was informed inspections and repairs were not performed on saturday's

Filed Jun 1, 2013 · Body, Lights · 60,000 miles · IL

Acura rsx 2002 to 2006 owners have experienced a flood in their rear tire well, causing tail lights, in some to rust out. This could cause a safety issue, particularly when driving at night and your tail lights have gone out. There is no recall on this issue, yet the blogs on acura rsx web site are huge! It's an expensive fix and not always covered by warranties. My car jack is rusted out and the spare tire won't come out due to excessive rust.

Filed May 3, 2013 · Body, Lights · 88,000 miles · TN

Water leaks in to the trunk (where the spare tire is kept).it puddles and causes rust and mold. It causes asthma exacerbation and respitory illness. Due to the water, the tail lights get fogged up and it makes it difficult to see the brake lights. It also fogs up the inside of the car and makes it difficult to see out of the car . This car has never been in a rear end collision.

Filed Feb 21, 2011 · Transmission · CA

When shifting to 3rd gear from 2nd or 4th in my 2006 rsx type s, the gear will grind, extra force will be required to successfully shift, or the shifter will pop out into neutral. The approximate incident date is the latest day that the problem has occurred. The car was bought new in december 2005; the problem first occurred a few months after purchasing the car. After bringing it into the service department of the dealership where the car was purchased, no issues were found. Multiple drivers of the car have experienced the same symptoms. The problem occurs when the car is cold or warm, and in various types of weather. After over 85,000 miles driven, the problem has not gotten worse or better.

Filed Jun 23, 2010 · Engine · 73,000 miles · OH

Fans wont start while in a stop and go traffic with A/C in the off position.

Filed May 13, 2010 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · CT

Acura 2006 rsx s vehicle was bought new. We had drive train problems with this vehicle shifting into gears and popping out of third gear. Repair work was done numerous times while under warranty, but the problem was never fixed. Acura corporation, and the acura dealer kept claiming there was no problem with the vehicle. While operating the vehicle the transmission locked up causing a near rear end collision. There are currently 2 tsb listed for problems related to this. Acura claims they will not do anything because the vehicle is out of warranty now. Despite the fact that I have stated our position in regard to what we are requesting from acura corporation. Our rsx had, before, during and after the new transmission was put in, a grinding, shifting and popping out of gear problems. This defect is well documented, by written, verbal and cell phone records, of conversations between me, and many individuals that are including, but not limited to, being directly or indirectly connected to acura. It is very sad that it appears someone needs to be killed due this vehicle defect, before any action is taken. I informed acura that we will seek legal action to recover our loss. Typical dealer & manufacturer modus operandi. Wear the customer down until the warranty expires, and tell you now you have to pay for the repair.

Filed Jan 26, 2010 · Lights · 3,000 miles · WA

Exterior lighting - headlights burn out regularly. Acura dealer has replaced my headlight 4 times while still under warranty. I have replaced those 4 more times myself. Acura denies any faulty manufacturing, but do say that this happens often as the light must vibrate and thus burn out. They also (while under warranty) attempted to blame the problem on non-oem headlights, but they were changed (while under warranty) by the acura dealership themselves 4 times? Therefore this theory of non-oem is not valid. Definite problems occurring are: hazardous night driving loss of low beam headlight due to poor light socket design and construction. This defect appears to be a burnout light halogen light bulb. 2. The bulb burns out due vibration, or arching caused by the light bulb locking mechanism assembly failure leaving the bulb loose, and held in place only by the protective rubber boot. The lamp socket is held in place by a high tension spring locking into a small hook protruding from approximately 2 inch diameter thin soft white metal cast disk attached with 2 small screws to the headlight reflector. This tooth shaves off by the spring pressure as evidenced by metal shavings present in base of the reflector. This is not an isolated occurrence, and a brief internet search has turned up many of similar owner reports. Loss of light is often preceded by the blinking headlight. There is a danger of crash due to loss of lights on an unlit highway. 3. The soft metal clip (seemly not as strong as a paperclip hooked into a very thin plastic hook) light socket mount should be replaced by a stamped sheet metal part- - that would not crack under the spring pressure. The choice of a very soft and thin metal die cast for this part is an obvious error. The stamped part should be also much less expensive then the die cast. The only fix so far is a replacement of the entire headlight assembly. Acura refuses to make the replacement die cast disk available as a replacement part.

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Questions about the 2006 Acura RSX

Is the 2006 Acura RSX reliable?

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 2006 Acura RSX, close to a typical RSX model year.

What is the 2006 Acura RSX year score?

The 2006 Acura RSX scores 75 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 2006 Acura RSX?

Lights, with 5 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles. Next is suspension (5).

How many recalls does the 2006 Acura RSX have?

2 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic and equipment.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Acura RSX get?

Official estimates for the 2006 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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