What are the most common Acura RSX problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 2,780+ owner reports, the 2003 Acura RSX has 13 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Valve Lash Tightening and Exhaust Valve Recession on K20 Engines (Skipped Valve Adjustment), 3rd Gear Synchro Grind on Manual Transmission, AC Compressor Clutch Bearing Failure. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Acura RSX reliable?
The 2003 Acura RSX has 13 known issues documented across 2,780+ owner reports. 1 issue is rated critical: Valve Lash Tightening and Exhaust Valve Recession on K20 Engines (Skipped Valve Adjustment). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Acura RSX problems?
Repair costs for known Acura RSX issues range from $0 to $3,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Valve Lash Tightening and Exhaust Valve Recession on K20 Engines (Skipped Valve Adjustment), typically costs $150-$400 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2002-2006 Acura RSX Valve Lash Tightening and Exhaust Valve Recession on K20 Engines (Skipped Valve Adjustment)?
K-series engines use solid rocker-and-screw valve adjusters with no hydraulic lash compensation, so clearance must be checked and reset by hand. The RSX factory service manual only calls for it at 110,000 miles, and the community's repeated finding is that this interval is far to… Repairs typically run $150-$400. Severity: high.
What is the 2002-2006 Acura RSX 3rd Gear Synchro Grind on Manual Transmission?
The RSX 6-speed and 5-speed manual transmissions are notorious for 3rd gear synchronizer wear, causing a grinding or crunching sensation when shifting into 3rd gear during spirited driving. The brass synchro ring wears prematurely, especially on Type-S models driven aggressively… Repairs typically run $800-$2,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2002-2006 Acura RSX AC Compressor Clutch Bearing Failure?
The RSX AC compressor clutch bearing fails prematurely, typically at 80,000-100,000 miles. The bearing seizes and causes the serpentine belt to squeal or smoke, and the AC stops blowing cold. The same Keihin compressor design is shared with the Civic and other Honda models of the… Repairs typically run $500-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2002-2006 Acura RSX Rear Quarter Panel and Wheel Arch Rust at the Bumper Seam?
The signature RSX rust location is the rear wheel arch where the quarter panel meets the rear bumper cover. The bumper mounting tab creates a small shelf behind the cover that traps mud, salt and moisture against bare metal, and corrosion perforates outward from the seam. Owners… Repairs typically run $150-$3,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2002-2006 Acura RSX Engine and Transmission Mount Deterioration - Passenger Hydraulic Mount and Rear Mount?
The RSX uses four mounts: a passenger-side fluid-filled hydraulic mount, a driver-side transmission mount, a front torque rod and a rear mount. The passenger-side hydraulic mount is the most common failure point on 2002-2006 cars - the rubber tears and the fluid leaks out, after… Repairs typically run $200-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2002-2004 Acura RSX Type-S 6-Speed Excessive 5th/6th Gearset Drag and Double-Cone Synchro Wear (Notchy Shifting, Pop-Out)?
On the 2002-2004 RSX Type-S 6-speed (K20A2), excessive drag in the 5-6 gearset combined with hardened rubber bushings in the shift cable produces notchy, 'picky' shifting, hard engagement into 5th and 6th, grinding on the 5-6 shift, and in worse cases pop-out of 6th gear. Acura a… Repairs typically run $120-$2,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2002-2006 Acura RSX A/C Condenser Corrosion and Stone-Strike Leaks Causing Refrigerant Loss?
The RSX condenser sits low and unprotected in the nose and is a well-documented leak point on 2002-2006 cars. Failures are of two kinds: corrosion of the thin aluminum tubes and fins from road salt and trapped debris, and physical puncture from road stones. Either lets the R-134a… Repairs typically run $300-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2002-2006 Acura RSX Clutch Master Cylinder Internal Failure - Squeaking Pedal, Soft Engagement, Fluid Loss?
The DC5 clutch master cylinder is a documented weak point on manual RSX cars, and the enthusiast community has traced why: compared with the Civic unit the RSX master cylinder is missing an internal triangular reinforcement, which is believed to be behind its early failure. Sympt… Repairs typically run $70-$450. Severity: medium.
What is the 2002-2006 Acura RSX Rear Trailing Arm and Knuckle Bushing Wear with Rear Control Arm Mount Corrosion?
The DC5's rear multilink suspension carries pressed-in rubber bushings in the trailing arm and rear knuckle that perish with age, and the RSX has the additional problem that Honda sells no service bushing for the trailing arm - only the complete arm with bushing already installed… Repairs typically run $150-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2002-2006 Acura RSX VTC Actuator Cold-Start Rattle (Loud 1-2 Second Rattle on First Start of the Day)?
K-series engines including those in the RSX develop a loud metallic rattle for roughly one to two seconds on the first cold start of the day. The cause is wear inside the variable timing control (VTC) actuator on the intake cam sprocket: the internal locking pin that is supposed… Repairs typically run $350-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2002-2006 Acura RSX Moonroof Drain Tube Clogging Causing Headliner Stains and Wet Interior Carpet?
The RSX moonroof is designed to admit some water into its tray, which is why it has four drain tubes - one at each corner, the fronts routed down the A-pillars and the rears behind the C-pillar trim. On these cars the tubes silt up with pollen, leaf debris and dirt, the tray over… Repairs typically run $0-$400. Severity: low.
What is the 2002-2006 Acura RSX Power Steering Whine from Hardened Pump Inlet O-Ring Drawing Air?
A loud whine or groan from the power steering system, worst on cold start and when the wheel is turned toward lock, is one of the most reported RSX noises. In the majority of documented cases the pump itself is NOT the failed part: the small rubber O-ring sealing the low-pressure… Repairs typically run $25-$600. Severity: low.
What is the 2002-2006 Acura RSX Power Window Regulator and Motor Failure - Window Jams Halfway or Stops Working?
Window regulator failure is among the most frequently reported RSX electrical complaints, and the community has identified a design contributor: the frameless door glass and the RSX's door ventilation path draw a large amount of airflow and dirt into the door, which packs the win… Repairs typically run $20-$450. Severity: low.
