2003 Acura Rsx problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:manual Transmission (5) · Air Bags (5) · Vehicle Speed Control (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Acura Rsx model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (71)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2017-01-01 · BJA46167 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
sending vehicle data to tech line.
Equipment 2016-03-18 · B98015 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
special tool loan program: under tools available for loan, the list has been updated.
Air Bags 2014-08-06 · DLR MSG - Acura · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message - on monday, june 23, 2014, acura announced three recalls for various 2002-06 acura models. as of august 4, 2014, affected vins have been identified, and vin status inquiry has been updated.
Air Bags:frontal 2014-07-23 · DLR MSG - Stop S · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
dealer message - on monday, june 23, 2014, acura announced three recalls for various 2002-06 acura models. as of july 23, 2014, affected vins have been identified, and service bulletins 14-023, safety recall: front passenger?s airbag inflator can be over-pressurized, 14-029, recall: front driver?s
Unknown Or Other 2011-12-12 · 1202 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
searching isis for diagnostic trouble code information. 1996 - 2003 models. *tt updated 12/12/11. *pe
Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems 2010-11-01 · SB-0708 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acura: there are guidelines for various situations and procedures including: tire pressure valve stem installation, trailer stability malfunction light is on, engine oil application guide, new software, new transmission fluid, notchy steering feeling. *rm
Showing the 6 most recent of 71 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-08-22 · Air Bags“the srs light just turned on in my vehicle. there was a recall for this same problem sometime in 2012 or 2013.…”
2018-04-18 · Air Bags“2003 acura rsx. consumer writes in regards to takata airbag safety recall. *ld consumer sent additional correspondence. *ld *js…”
2014-02-05 · Vehicle Speed Control · 139,000 mi“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. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis of the failure. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the ap…”
2014-01-07 · Power Train · 178,000 mi“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. acura should be forced to fix this issue since it is so common in these vehicles. *tr…”
2011-05-25 · Power Train · 70,000 mi“the mechanics at acura found galling on one or more cam shaft lobes in my engine. the symptoms of this problem are loss of engine power and a noticeable, louder than normal, clicking/tapping noise from the valve cover area. this is a significant issue that has caused me great concern. galling is a condition whereby excessive friction between high s…”
2010-03-06 · Air Bags · 82,000 mi · 💥 crash“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. car rolled over estimated a 7-8 times. neither of the two front or two side airbags deployed. there were 4 p…”
2010-03-01 · Vehicle Speed Control · 86,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2003 acura rsx with a 4-cylinder, 2.0 liter engine. while driving at speeds of 65 mph, there was a tapping noise coming from under the hood. the vehicle then stalled without warning and shortly after, he was able to restart the vehicle. once the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle abnormally accelerated and increased in engine …”
2009-08-06 · Air Bags:frontal · 80,000 mi“srs light on my 2003 acura rsx, car only has 80,000 miles. dealer (st louis acura) says that it is not covered under the nhtsa # because it is a different part. although this part (srs unit) works with the opds they say it is not covered. as of right now they do not wish to take any action on this and if i wish to not "die" to pay 1240 dollars and …”
2007-10-17 · Vehicle Speed Control“2003 acura rsx. accelerates for no reason, without pushing on the throttle pedal. this usually occurs after the vehicle has first started, and about 30-60 seconds after starting. this is an on-going problem for the past 10 months. *jb…”
2007-06-04 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/Control Module · 65,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2003 acura rsx. she stated that the airbag srs light remains illuminated at all times. the srs light was inspected and reset however, the problem continued to occur. the contact also stated that the opds unit needed to be replaced. the failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 80,000. the vin and engine size …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.