ACURA RSX · model year

2004 ACURA RSX

19 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004ACURARSX carries 19 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 RSX is power train:manual transmission with 6 filings, followed by tires (4) and air bags (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2004 RSX, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

19
Complaints
8
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

19 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION6
TIRES4
AIR BAGS3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW1
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1

Recalls (4)

06E06400017/07/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

06E02300013/03/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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 EQUIPME

06E03800008/05/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 EQUIPM

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

Recent Complaints

20200121CrashAIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 128,628

20110517EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

Mileage: 50,294

20091017CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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

Mileage: 77,500

20090709POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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.

Mileage: 30,000

20090524POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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

Mileage: 11,000

20080222CrashTIRES

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

20060907CrashTIRES

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

Mileage: 62,000

20060806SUSPENSION:FRONT

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

Mileage: 19,000

20060606POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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

Mileage: 13,000

20051227CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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

Mileage: 43,100

20051227CrashAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

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

Mileage: 43,100

20051223UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20051119CrashAIR BAGS

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

20051119CrashTIRES

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

20051016POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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

Mileage: 4,000

20050402POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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

20050214AIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 7,100

20040817TIRES

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

20040810POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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/

Mileage: 11,800

Compare 2004ACURARSX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 ACURA RSX have?
The 2004 ACURA RSX has 19 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 ACURA RSX?
Yes, the 2004 ACURA RSX has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 ACURA RSX?
The most-complained component for the 2004 ACURA RSX is POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2004 ACURA RSX safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.