What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2002 Acura RSX

Typical pattern

18.5% of complaints about the 2002 Acura RSX came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2002 vehicle — around the middle of the 230 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 2.5 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine cooling (15 complaints), typically at 1.4 yr or about 21,280 miles.

Complaints
81
Median age at failure
2.5 yr
Median mileage
48,000 n=54
Crash / fire / tow
11.1% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine cooling
15 reports · 21,280 mi
1.4 yr
6.7%
Power train
15 reports · 48,000 mi
4.3 yr
6.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

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.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E064000 2006-07-17
Exterior lighting

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.

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

06E038000 2006-05-08
Exterior lighting

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.

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

06E023000 2006-03-13
Exterior lighting:headlights

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."

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Engine cooling mileage not reported 5 mo in service
VEHICLE IS LEAKING TOXIC HYDROGEN SULFIDE AND INSIDIOUS POISON GASES THROUGH VENTILATION. THIS CAUSES HEADACHE IRRITATION WHILE IN VEHICLE. DEALER HAS NO WAY TO DETECT THE LEVEL. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. 27-NOV-2001 [XXX].*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine cooling 150 mi 4 mo in service
MY 2002 ACURA RSX EMITS A TERRIBLE ROTTEN EGG ODOR AFTER I DRIVE IT FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AND STOP FOR A STOP SIGN. THE SMELL COMES BACK INTERMITENTLY WHILE DRIVING SOMETIMES BECOMING QUITE OVERPOWERING IN THE CAR. THE DEALER HAS NO SOLUTION. HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS A POISONOUS GAS. THE SITUATION IS ON GOING AND HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES.
Engine cooling 1,500 mi 1.3 yr in service
WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, VEHICLE WILL EMIT A ROTTEN EGG (SULPHUR) SMELL INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN AIR FLOW IS SET TO 'FRESH AIR' AND NOT TO 'RECIRCULATE.' I FTHE 'RECIRCULATE' OPTION IS TRUNED ON, THE SMELL WILL DISSAPATE. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE EXHAUST GASES ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HAVE HEARD OTHERS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS MATTER.
Power train 45,000 mi 1.2 yr in service
TRANSMISSION IS HORRIBLE IN THE CAR THIS IS THE 2ND ONE THAT WENT ON ME. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT IT POPPED OUT OF 2ND GEAR AND GRINDED INTO 3RD. THE SECOND TIME IT STARTED THE SAME WAY AS THE FIRST ONE WENT, BUT IT ONLY GOT WORSE BECAUSE IT GOT STUCK IN 3RD GEAR AND THAT WAS THE ONLY GEAR THAT WOULD WORK, NOT EVEN REVERSE!

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