2003 Acura RSX: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 25 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“2003 acura rsx. Consumer writes in regards to takata airbag safety recall. *ld consumer sent additional correspondence. *ld *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2018
“Tl* the contact owns 2003 acura rsx. The contact stated that the vehicle spontaneously accelerated without warning. The only way the contact could stop the failure was by shifting into park and braking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2014
“When trying to shift into 2nd gear it grinds and pops out. It is so bad that now it will not allow you to put it in 2nd at all. Synchros are bad...common problem with rsx. Acura should be forced to fix this issue since it is so common in these vehicles. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“My teenage son was driving his 2003 acura rsx-s on highway i60 in southern california. His car was hit in the left rear which pushed him in the tail of a big rig. His car then flew off the freeway and off a cliff, approx 80-90 feet down. Car rolled over estimated a 7-8 times. Neither of the two front or two side airbags deployed. There were 4 passengers including the driver. All wearing seatbelts. 1 serious and 3 minor injuries. Car completely totalled. No drugs or alcohol involved. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2010
“Srs light on my 2003 acura rsx, car only has 80,000 miles. Dealer (st louis acura) says that it is not covered under the NHTSA # because it is a different part. Although this part (srs unit) works with the opds they say it is not covered. As of right now they do not wish to take any action on this and if I wish to not "die" to pay 1240 dollars and have them replace this part. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2009
“2003 acura rsx. Accelerates for no reason, without pushing on the throttle pedal. This usually occurs after the vehicle has first started, and about 30-60 seconds after starting. This is an on-going problem for the past 10 months. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2007
“I bought my car from a dealer in august 2006, in january of 07 I noticed my 2003 acura rsx engine making a ticking sound and the engine revving really high. I took it to my mechanic who said the valves needed replacing as do the camshafts. After many searches online regarding this problem, and finding several other owners experiencing the exact same issue I am shocked acura has not issued a recall for this. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 acura rsx. She stated that the airbag srs light remains illuminated at all times. The srs light was inspected and reset however, the problem continued to occur. The contact also stated that the opds unit needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 80,000. The VIN and engine size was unavailable. Returned usps, 2nd attempt made 07/06/07 failed . *lj 10/17/07.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2007
“This case relates to a 2003 rsx types. I have experienced rust problems, transmission failure, engine oil leaks, srs system failure, and other electrical and mechanical failures. The vehicle has been to all three dealerships in the area, for a total of 34 days. The srs system light is always on.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2005
“After being rear ended consumer's vehicle was struck a second time at 55 mph in the driver's door. Upon impact, neither side air bags nor the frontal air bags deployed. The vehicle was totaled.*ak the vehicle was hit with such force that the front axle snapped. *bf *nm”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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 EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.
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 EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
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 EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact RSX by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Acura RSX reliable?
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Acura RSX. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2003 Acura RSX have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.