ACURA RSX · model year

2006 ACURA RSX

28 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006ACURARSX carries 28 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, 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 2006 RSX is power train:manual transmission with 5 filings, followed by exterior lighting (5) and structure (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 2 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 2006 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.

28
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

28 filings

Crashes Reported

5 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 TRANSMISSION5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
STRUCTURE3
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT2
SUSPENSION2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2
SUSPENSION:FRONT1
PARKING BRAKE1
AIR BAGS1
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW1
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
SEATS1

Recalls (2)

06V27000026/07/2006

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.

13V24600013/06/2013

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

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

Recent Complaints

20250703SEATS

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.

20210418STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 193,000

20140310ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20140310STRUCTURE

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. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

20130819SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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

20130601STRUCTURE

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. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20130601EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20130503STRUCTURE

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. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

20130503EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

20110221POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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. *TR

20100623ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

FANS WONT START WHILE IN A STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WITH A/C IN THE OFF POSITION. *TR

Mileage: 73,000

20100513POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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

Mileage: 98,000

20100126EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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 APPROXI

Mileage: 3,000

20091230EXTERIOR LIGHTING

DURING THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS I HAVE NOTED WATER ACCUMULATION IN BOTH TAIL LIGHTS ON MY 2006 ACURA RSX. THERE IS CURRENTLY 1-INCH OF STANDING WATER IN ONE OF THE TAILLIGHTS AND APPROXIMATELY A INCH IN THE OTHER. THE VEHICLE IS APPROXIMATELY 3-1/2 YEARS OLD AND JUST PASTED THE 50,000 MILE ACURA STANDARD WARRANTY. ACCORDING TO ACURA CLIENT SERVICES, THEY HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO CORRECT OR COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY! OUR LOCAL ACURA DEALER HAS NOT PROVIDED MUCH HELP. THIS IN MY OPINION IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THE WATER THAT SLOSHES BACK AND FORTH WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE LAMP FAILURE AND/OR LAMP SOCKET CORROSION AND FAILURE. THE FREEZE AND THAW CYCLE OF THE NORTHEAST WILL EVENTUALLY CRACK THE LENSES. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT AN ISOLATED INSTANCE. THE INTERNET AND VARIOUS FORUMS ARE LOADED WITH COMPLAINTS OF CONDENSATION AND STANDING WATER IN THESE TAIL LIGHT HOUSINGS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND THIS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD BE CORRECTED AND

Mileage: 50,000

20091229EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1. 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? 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 LIGHT SOCKET MOUNT SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A STAMPED SHEET ME

Mileage: 34,520

20091210CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I OWN A 2006 ACURA RSX. I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY YESTERDAY (12/9/09) MORNING AT APPROXIMATELY 6:55AM. IT WAS RAINING AND THE ROAD WAS SLUSHY. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN THE RIGHT LANE AND MY CAR SPUN ALL THE WAY AROUND TO THE RIGHT AND MY FRONT BUMPER HIT THE RIGHT CORRIDOR OF THE THRUWAY. MY CAR THEN KICKED BACKWARDS AND SPUN AROUND IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE AGAIN AND MY BACK BUMPER HIT THE RIGHT CORRIDOR. PRIOR TO THIS ACURA, I HAD A 2001 ACURA INTEGRA. THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM OCCURRED. I SPUN OUT AND TOTALED MY CAR. CLEARLY THIS IS NOT A SAFE CAR AND I NEED THIS TO BE BROUGHT TO LIGHT TO SAVE LIVES. IF THERE WAS ANOTHER CAR NEAR ME ON BOTH OCCASIONS, I WOULD HAVE DIED. *TR

20091210CrashTRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

I OWN A 2006 ACURA RSX. I WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON THE NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY YESTERDAY (12/9/09) MORNING AT APPROXIMATELY 6:55AM. IT WAS RAINING AND THE ROAD WAS SLUSHY. I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN THE RIGHT LANE AND MY CAR SPUN ALL THE WAY AROUND TO THE RIGHT AND MY FRONT BUMPER HIT THE RIGHT CORRIDOR OF THE THRUWAY. MY CAR THEN KICKED BACKWARDS AND SPUN AROUND IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE AGAIN AND MY BACK BUMPER HIT THE RIGHT CORRIDOR. PRIOR TO THIS ACURA, I HAD A 2001 ACURA INTEGRA. THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM OCCURRED. I SPUN OUT AND TOTALED MY CAR. CLEARLY THIS IS NOT A SAFE CAR AND I NEED THIS TO BE BROUGHT TO LIGHT TO SAVE LIVES. IF THERE WAS ANOTHER CAR NEAR ME ON BOTH OCCASIONS, I WOULD HAVE DIED. *TR

20090615POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

COMPONENT: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION DETAILS: WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND THE TRANSMISSION GRINDS. THE COLDER THE TEMP. IS THE WORSE THE GRINDING. *TR

20090603POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND THE TRANSMISSION GRINDS. WHEN GOING FROM 3RD TO 2ND IT'S MORE OF A KLUNK WITH A LESSER GRIND. THE COLDER THE TEMP. IS THE WORSE THE GRINDING. THE TRANSMISSION HAS POPPED OUT OF 3RD TO NEUTRAL A FEW TIMES (VERY SELDOM). *TR

Mileage: 75

20071221CrashAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

AIRBAG FAILURE TO DEPLOY IN A SUBSTANTIAL PASSENGER DOOR SIDE IMPACT CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE AND INJURIES TO THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID DEPLOY BUT THERE WAS NO DOOR IMPACT THERE. FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS THERE WAS NO FRONTAL IMPACT. *TR

Compare 2006ACURARSX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 ACURA RSX have?
The 2006 ACURA RSX has 28 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 ACURA RSX?
Yes, the 2006 ACURA RSX has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 ACURA RSX?
The most-complained component for the 2006 ACURA RSX is POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include EXTERIOR LIGHTING and STRUCTURE.
Is the 2006 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.