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2002 Acura Rsx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Acura Rsx do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 20.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

44 reports with mileage · 32 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

76 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2007
Tires

I PURCHASED 4 SIGMA REGENT TOURING 205/55TR16, 7E55 FROM TIRE KINGDOM IN MAY 2006 WHEN MY CARD HAD ~77K NOW IN JANUARY 07 WITH TIRES BEING ROTATED PROPERLY AND CAR HAVING 91K TWO OF THE TIRES HAVE SPLIT ON THE INSIDE AROUND THE RIM. BOTH TIRES APPEAR AS THOUGH THE HAVE BEEN SLICED WITH A RAZOR AROUND THE INSIDE SEAM, THIS WAS P…

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I PURCHASED 4 SIGMA REGENT TOURING 205/55TR16, 7E55 FROM TIRE KINGDOM IN MAY 2006 WHEN MY CARD HAD ~77K NOW IN JANUARY 07 WITH TIRES BEING ROTATED PROPERLY AND CAR HAVING 91K TWO OF THE TIRES HAVE SPLIT ON THE INSIDE AROUND THE RIM. BOTH TIRES APPEAR AS THOUGH THE HAVE BEEN SLICED WITH A RAZOR AROUND THE INSIDE SEAM, THIS WAS POINTED OUT TO ME BY MY ACURA DEALER MECHANIC. I HAVE PICTURES WHICH CAN BE PROVIDED. I AM HAVING A TIME GETTING TIRE KINGDOM TO MAKE RIGHT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10178072

140,000 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Air BagsPower Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH MADE THE CONTACT CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #637638. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THIS WAS SAFETY DEFECT. THERE ALSO HAS BEEN TROUBLE WITH SWITCHING GEARS FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IT MADE A …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH MADE THE CONTACT CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #637638. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THIS WAS SAFETY DEFECT. THERE ALSO HAS BEEN TROUBLE WITH SWITCHING GEARS FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IT MADE A GRINDING SOUND WHILE GOING INTO SECOND GEAR. THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPED AT 12,7000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO ADDRESS EITHER PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10170437

50,000 miles · Sep 11, 2006
Air Bags

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SRS INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEACTIVATE. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN RELEASED BY THE MANUFACTURER (TSB # 02-015) INDICATING THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SENSOR UNIT. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED.

NHTSA ODI #10167842

64,000 miles · Jun 30, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED ON 6/27/06 WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED.THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IDENTIFIED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR. THE DEALER ALSO HAD A SERVICE BULLITEN REGARDING THI…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED ON 6/27/06 WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED.THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSTIC TESTING IDENTIFIED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR. THE DEALER ALSO HAD A SERVICE BULLITEN REGARDING THIS PART. THE DEALER OFFERED TO ORDER THE PART, BUT REFUSED TO INSTALL THE COMPONENT, DUE TO AN AFTERMARKET TURBO CHARGER BEING ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10161117

40,000 miles · Feb 23, 2006
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT BULBS KEEP BURNING OUT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10151018

21,500 miles · Feb 5, 2006
Power Train

I RECENTLY PURCHASED 2002 ACURA RSX WITH 21,200 MILES, 5SP MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE PASSED 150- POINT INSPECTION THAT WAS PERFORMED AT WHITE BEAR LAKES ACURA SUBARU, MN DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS ACURA-CERTIFIED, BUT I DECIDED NOT TO PURCHASE $1,600 CERTIFICATION PROGRAM BECAUSE OF MONEY CONSTRAINTS. NOW, WHEN TEMPERA…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED 2002 ACURA RSX WITH 21,200 MILES, 5SP MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE PASSED 150- POINT INSPECTION THAT WAS PERFORMED AT WHITE BEAR LAKES ACURA SUBARU, MN DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS ACURA-CERTIFIED, BUT I DECIDED NOT TO PURCHASE $1,600 CERTIFICATION PROGRAM BECAUSE OF MONEY CONSTRAINTS. NOW, WHEN TEMPERATURES AROUND HERE DROPPED TO 0 DEGREES F, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED 1-2 SHIFTING PROBLEM. SHIFTING TO 2ND GEAR IS REALLY HARD TO DO. MY 2ND GEAR SYNCHROS ARE ALWAYS GRINDING AND ESPECIALLY, NOW AT 20F I AM GETTING CONSTANT THE 1-2 NOTCH SHIFTS. I'VE NOTICED LOTS OF PEOPLE IN INTERNET NEWS GROUPS AND FORUMS ARE HAVING THE SAME IDENTICAL PROBLEM. JUST READ IT: HTTP://WWW.PETITIONONLINE.COM/RSXGRIND/PETITION.HTML I KNOW FOR THE FACT THAT HONDA MOTORS COMPANY ON JULY, 1, 2002 ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN 02-016 DESCRIBING GEARS GRINDING WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED BETWEEN GEARS. THEY CONCLUDED- WORN SYNCHRONIZERS! CORRECTIVE ACTION: REPLACE THE EFFECTED SYNCHRONISM SLEEVES SET(S). THE TSB ONLY APPLIES TOWARDS 2002 RSX TYPE S FROM VIN JDC530.2C000001 THROUGH JDC5302C033312. GOOD LUCK GETTING IT FIXED FOR OTHER VEHICLES. I CALLED LOCAL BUERKLE ACURA BROOKLYN PARK MN, NEW AND USED CAR DEALER AND INFORMED THEM MY FINDINGS. IN ADDITION, I INFORMED THAT I HAVE A COPY OF TSB DESCRIBING THE IDENTICAL SYMPTOMS THAT HAVE DEVELOPED WITH MY VEHICLE. THEY RESPONSE WAS TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN AND PAY US $150 FOR INSPECTION. WHEN PRESSED FOR MORE INFORMATION, THE SERVICE WRITER AT ACURA CATEGORICALLY DENIED ANYTHING AND STATED THAT THEY HAVE NO SUCH TSB IN THEIR POSSESSION. IN MY OPINION, ACURA RSX HAS A SERIOUS TRANSMISSION FLAW THAT CAUSES NORMAL SHIFTS INTO SECOND GEAR TO GRIND. THIS PROBLEM HAS HIGH FREQUENCY IN ALL MODEL YEARS. ACURA CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM.ACURA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ACURA DEALERS EITHER IGNORE THE PROBLEM OR BLAME OWNERS ABUSE AND/OR POOR DRIVING TECHNIQUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10149461

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS IS FOR A 2002 ACURA RSX; OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR, IT HAS BEEN USING ABOUT 1 1/2 QUARTS OF OIL EACH 3,000 MILES. I'VE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WHO IS WORKING WITH ME TO COLLECT USAGE DATA WITH EACH OIL CHANGE AND THE ACURA CONSUMER HELP LINE. THE ACURA CONSUMER HELP LINE IS VERY RUDE, NOT VERY …

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THIS IS FOR A 2002 ACURA RSX; OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR, IT HAS BEEN USING ABOUT 1 1/2 QUARTS OF OIL EACH 3,000 MILES. I'VE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WHO IS WORKING WITH ME TO COLLECT USAGE DATA WITH EACH OIL CHANGE AND THE ACURA CONSUMER HELP LINE. THE ACURA CONSUMER HELP LINE IS VERY RUDE, NOT VERY HELPFUL AND SEEMS TO NOT WANT TO GIVE ME STATISTICALLY CORRECT INFORMATION WITH THIS PROBLEM. I'VE HAD 2 HIGH PERFORMANCE HONDA CRXS FOR UPWARDS OF 150,000 MILES AND NEITHER HAD THE USAGE ISSUE AS THIS RSX. WITHOUT RESOLVING THE ISSUE, IT IS LIKELY THAT THE ENGINE COULD WEAR OUT OR CAUSE OTHER RELATED PROBLEMS. I AM LOOKING FOR ACURA TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THE PROBLEM, DO FURTHER TESTING, GIVE ME AN EXPLANATION TO MY SATISFACTION AND CHANGE THE ENGINE, AS THIS IS NOT A USUAL PROBLEM, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND. AT THIS POINT, BECAUSE ACURA DOESN'T APPEAR TO WANT TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE, I AM VERBALLY WARNING OTHER POSSIBLE BUYERS AWAY BECAUSE OF THE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THE LACK OF CONSUMER RESPECT AND COURTESY FROM THE ACURA CONSUMER HELP PHONE LINE. I THINK ACURA KNOWS THERE IS AN ISSUE AND WANTS ME TO FOOT THE BILL WHEN THE CAR FAILS BEFORE ITS TIME. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146554

52,333 miles · Dec 3, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT A USED 2002 ACURA RSX TYPE-S FROM FIESTA DODGE IN SAN ANTONIO, TX ON OCTOBER 3, 2005. THEY SAID THEY DID A FULL 101 POINT INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY APPROXIMATELY 48,000 MILES. I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 38 DAYS AND HAD PUT LESS THAN 3,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I NOTED POWER LOSS IN THE UPPER RPM BAND. I IMME…

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I BOUGHT A USED 2002 ACURA RSX TYPE-S FROM FIESTA DODGE IN SAN ANTONIO, TX ON OCTOBER 3, 2005. THEY SAID THEY DID A FULL 101 POINT INSPECTION ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY APPROXIMATELY 48,000 MILES. I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 38 DAYS AND HAD PUT LESS THAN 3,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I NOTED POWER LOSS IN THE UPPER RPM BAND. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO GET INSPECTED, WHERE I FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL BADLY AND HAD DONE ENOUGH DAMAGE TO RUIN THE MOTOR, THANKFULLY I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT WAS SEEN AS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, BUT STILL I AM WITHOUT A CAR FOR THE NEXT MONTH WHILE THE NEW MOTOR IS INSTALLED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10144385

51,000 miles · Jun 24, 2005
Steering

DT: CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND HE COULDN'T STEER THE CAR. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED. HE DID NOTTAKE VEHICLE TO A DEALER YET.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10126474

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2005
Latches/locks/linkages

DT: PROBLEM WAS NOTICED ABOUT A WEEK AGO. THE HOOD LATCH IS BOLTED TO A PIECE OF METAL, AND THERE IS A BROKEN PLACE IN THE METAL. THE METAL PIECE BROKE AWAY FROM THE BODY ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AND THEN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD, THE METAL SHOWS FATIGUE, AND IS ALMOST BROKEN, AND IS READY TO BREAK AWAY SOON. METAL FATIGUE IS EVID…

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DT: PROBLEM WAS NOTICED ABOUT A WEEK AGO. THE HOOD LATCH IS BOLTED TO A PIECE OF METAL, AND THERE IS A BROKEN PLACE IN THE METAL. THE METAL PIECE BROKE AWAY FROM THE BODY ON THE RIGHT SIDE, AND THEN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HOOD, THE METAL SHOWS FATIGUE, AND IS ALMOST BROKEN, AND IS READY TO BREAK AWAY SOON. METAL FATIGUE IS EVIDENT ON BOTH SIDES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THE CAR WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER TODAY. THE CASE NUMBER WITH ACURA IS 120050617300086. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10125605

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.