RoadVitals

2006 Acura RSX Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest Jul 3, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Acura RSX, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Exterior lighting517.9%
  • Transmission517.9%
  • Suspension517.9%
  • Body & structure414.3%
  • Brakes310.7%
  • Airbags27.1%
  • Interior & seats13.6%
  • Other / unspecified13.6%
  • Engine13.6%
  • Electrical13.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10514596 · filed Jun 1, 2013

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

NHTSA ID 10510466 · filed May 3, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10383913 · filed Feb 21, 2011

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 TO ACURA. IT IS VERY SAD THAT IT APPEARS SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE KILLED DUE THIS VEHICLE DEFECT, BEFORE ANY ACTION IS TAKEN. I INFORMED ACURA THAT WE WILL SEEK LEGAL ACTION TO RECOVER OUR LOSS. TYPICAL DEALER & MANUFACTURER MODUS OPERANDI. WEAR THE CUSTOMER DOWN UNTIL THE WARRANTY EXPIRES, AND TELL YOU NOW YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10330374 · filed May 13, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW, 2006 ACURA RSX(SEPT.16,2005), AT ABOUT BETWEEN 300 TO 500 MILES I STARTED TO HEAR POPPING NOISE OR SOME TYPE OF NOISE SOUNDING LIKE A BAD AXLE WOULD MAKE WHEN I MAKE SLOW TURNS OR FAST TURNS SOMETIMES. ACURA FIXED THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME IT WAS SOME CUSHION PROBLEM WITH THE SPRINGS. AT ABOUT BETWEEN 10K TO 15K MILES I STARTED TO HEAR IT AGAIN(BETWEEN DEC. AND BEGINNING OF JAN) I TOOK IT BACK TO ACURA THEY FIXED IT AGAIN ...NOW AT ABOUT 30K MILES I STARTED TO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT I DON'T TAKE IT INTO ACURA UNTIL ABOUT 36K BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE TIME AND I WANT THE NOISE TO BE LOUDER AND WORST AND SO IT DID AT ABOUT 36K...IM SCHEDULE FOR A SERVICE AT ACURA ON SEPT.6 . THIS CAR IS STARTING TO BECOME A LEMON IN MY VIEWS. I ALSO KNOW IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 ACURA RSX. *NM

NHTSA ID 10167402 · filed Sep 5, 2006

FIRST STARTED HEARING A POPPING/KNOCKING NOISE ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL AT SLOW SPEEDS AT 5,034 MILES. DEALER TIGHTENED STRUT TOWER NUT AND LUBED SPRING BEARING. THE NOISE WENT AWAY AND REAPPEARD AT 5,527 MILES. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE RIGHT FRON STRUT. THE NOICE WENT AWAY AND REAPPEARD AT 9,278 MILES. THE DEALER HAD A REGIONAL FACTORY REP COME AND LOOK AT THE CAR. THEY REPLACED BOTH FRONT STRUTS. THE NOISE WENT AWAY AND REAPPEARD AT 12,978 MILES. THE DEALER TEST DROVE AND DID HEAR THE NOISE AGAIN. WE ARE NOW IN THE FIRST STAQES OF IMPLEMENTING OUR LEMON LAW RIGHTS BY SUBMITTING BY CERTIFIED MAIL, NOTICE TO MANUFACTURER OF FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO REPAIR, FOUND ON THE LEMON LAW WEBSITE. WE FULLY INTEND ON PURSUING OUR CONSUMER RIGHTS TO EITHER REPLACE OR REFUND .

NHTSA ID 10163085 · filed Jul 21, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11408675 · filed Apr 18, 2021

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

NHTSA ID 10568220 · filed Mar 10, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10535603 · filed Aug 19, 2013

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

NHTSA ID 10295270 · filed Dec 10, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10212521 · filed Dec 21, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA RSX. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A CRASH AT 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,000.

NHTSA ID 10211624 · filed Dec 12, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11671052 · filed Jul 3, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10295270 · filed Dec 10, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10339781 · filed Jun 23, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10568220 · filed Mar 10, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .