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2003 Acura Rsx Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Acura Rsx, most often about the transmission (32% of complaints, typically around 10,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Rsx model year since 2000.

Complaints25
Recalls0
Crashes reported3
Fires reported0
Injuries reported4

Most common 2003 Acura Rsx problems

  1. Transmission

    8 complaints · 32%

    Half of these problems showed up before 10,500 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission.

    My Acura Rsx type s was parked in a local wal-mart parking lot. It was in first gear. After my wife and I went inside, our car rolled backwards through the entire parking lot, down an embankment and up on a curb in another lower parking area. Fortunately, the car did not hit any person, car, or cart, but there was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 10,600 miles
    Vehicle: 2003 Acura Rsx-type s with 6 speed manual transmission. With only 7,940 miles and 9 months old, the transmission is blocking or grinding 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. This is hazardous when you are pulling through an intersection trying to engage 2nd gear and you can not get the trans into 2nd. It has been to the…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 7,940 miles

  2. Air bags

    7 complaints · 28%

    Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.

    Tl 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.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 65,000 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 80,000 miles

  3. Engine

    5 complaints · 20%

    Parts named most often: engine.

    Problems shifting from 3rd into 4th gear. Car shifts into second and redlines engine. Computor fails to shut engine down and engine blows. This has happened twice in the past 6 months. Acura blames it on driver error. Mechanic told me gear pattern is very tight and this has occured to an Acura technician.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 16,275 miles
    Tl 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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 86,000 miles

  4. Brakes

    3 complaints · 12%

    Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.

    For some time now I have felt my brakes do not perform up to par. Recently, in stop and go traffic, I was unable to stop on time when a vehicle in front of me slammed on their brakes. I bumped the other driver in the rear of their car and now it is costing me a surcharge on my insurance. I feel my brakes are…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 55,500 miles

  5. Speed control

    3 complaints · 12%

    Tl 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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 86,000 miles
    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…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 139,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2003 Acura Rsx recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2003 Acura Rsx

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Acura Rsx?
By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (8 complaints, typically around 10,500 miles); air bags (7 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); engine (5 complaints).
How many recalls does the 2003 Acura Rsx have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Acura Rsx. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2003 a bad year for the Acura Rsx?
It is the 3rd most complained-about Rsx model year since 2000, with 25 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Acura Rsx years

Acura Rsx problems by year