MYRModel Year Report

2003 Acura RSX

○ Not enough data
2003 Acura RSX
RENDERED 2026-11-01T17:04:16.852Z

Only 25 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 25 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
25

Too few to rank

Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

2001: 2 complaints 2001 2002: 76 complaints 2002 2003: 25 complaints 2003 25 2004: 17 complaints 2004 2005: 32 complaints 2005 2006: 24 complaints 2006 2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2008
2001: 2 complaints 2001 2002: 76 complaints 2002 2003: 25 complaints 2003 25 2004: 17 complaints 2004 2005: 32 complaints 2005 2006: 24 complaints 2006 2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2008
2001: 2 complaints 2001 2002: 76 complaints 2002 2003: 25 complaints 2003 25 2004: 17 complaints 2004 2005: 32 complaints 2005 2006: 24 complaints 2006 2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2008

2003: 25 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20012
200276
200325
200417
200532
200624
20071
20081

Known problem areas

Only 25 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Power train

8 of 25 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing manual transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-01-07

Air bags

7 of 25 total reports mention: air bags, most commonly citing sensor/control module and frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-03-06

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-29

The SRS light just turned on in my vehicle. There was a recall for this same problem sometime in 2012 or 2013.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-22

Engine and engine cooling

5 of 25 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

Vehicle speed control

3 of 25 total reports mention: vehicle speed control.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-02-05

Service brakes

3 of 25 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2006-05-10Exterior lighting06E038000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Acura RSX — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 7 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E038000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2003 Acura RSX reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Acura RSX?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Acura RSX have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.