2004 Acura RSX: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 17 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
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 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2019
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2009
“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”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2006
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2006
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2006
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2005
“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”Owner report · Tires · Nov 2005
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2005
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 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 2004 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 2004 Acura RSX reliable?
NHTSA has 17 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Acura RSX. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2004 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.