What year Acura RSX should I avoid?

The 2006 Acura RSX is the one to avoid. It has a complaint index of 100, the highest of any RSX year, plus two recall campaigns covering brakes and owner's manual hotline information.

Is there a best year for the Acura RSX?

No RSX year qualifies as Good or Best because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk choice is 2005.

What problems does the 2006 Acura RSX have?

NHTSA complaints for the 2006 RSX are led by electrical system issues (25% share, median 45,000 miles), followed by structure and body problems, suspension and wheel issues that showed up as early as 900 miles median, and transmission and powertrain complaints near 1,231 miles median.

Does the Acura RSX have any recalls?

Across all years, NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the RSX, both tied to the 2006 model year: one for the brake booster assembly and one for incorrect hotline information in the owner's manual.

How many complaints does the Acura RSX have overall?

NHTSA lists 58 total complaints across the 2005-2008 RSX model years, with suspension, wheels, and tires the top problem area at 36% of all complaints.

Acura RSX Best and Worst Years (2005–2008)

The 2006 Acura RSX is the year to avoid, with a complaint index of 100, two recall campaigns, and the highest share of electrical and structural complaints. No RSX year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year carries recall campaigns; 2005 is the lowest-risk choice.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2006Lowest-risk years:Caution 2005

Model years: 4; 2005–2008
NHTSA complaints: 58
Recall campaigns: 2
Crashes reported: 7
Fires reported: 0
Top problem area: Suspension, Wheels & Tires

RSX Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Acura RSX problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Caution	67	32	3	0	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	25	—
2006	Avoid	100	24	4	2	Electrical System	25	—
2007	No verdict	0	1	0	0	Structure & Body	—	—
2008	No verdict	33	1	0	0	—	—	—

RSX years to avoid: what went wrong

2006 Acura RSX Index 100 · 24 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2006 RSX has the highest complaint index (100) of any RSX year and carries two recall campaigns, including a brake booster assembly issue. Owners reported electrical system problems most often (6 complaints, 25% share, median 45,000 miles), along with structure and body issues (5 complaints, median 74,000 miles) and suspension failures that occurred at a very low median mileage of 900. Transmission and powertrain complaints also appeared early, at a median of 1,231 miles. Sample complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in crashes and a parking brake failing overnight. NHTSA recorded 4 crashes and 1 injury tied to this year.

Most common Acura RSX problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Suspension, Wheels & Tires21 (36%)
Electrical System10 (17%)
Transmission & Powertrain7 (12%)
Airbags6 (10%)
Structure & Body6 (10%)
Other5 (9%)
Brakes4 (7%)
Engine3 (5%)
HVAC2 (3%)
Steering2 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Acura RSX should I avoid?: The 2006 Acura RSX is the one to avoid. It has a complaint index of 100, the highest of any RSX year, plus two recall campaigns covering brakes and owner's manual hotline information.
Is there a best year for the Acura RSX?: No RSX year qualifies as Good or Best because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk choice is 2005.
What problems does the 2006 Acura RSX have?: NHTSA complaints for the 2006 RSX are led by electrical system issues (25% share, median 45,000 miles), followed by structure and body problems, suspension and wheel issues that showed up as early as 900 miles median, and transmission and powertrain complaints near 1,231 miles median.
Does the Acura RSX have any recalls?: Across all years, NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the RSX, both tied to the 2006 model year: one for the brake booster assembly and one for incorrect hotline information in the owner's manual.
How many complaints does the Acura RSX have overall?: NHTSA lists 58 total complaints across the 2005-2008 RSX model years, with suspension, wheels, and tires the top problem area at 36% of all complaints.