2006 Acura RSX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Acura RSX ranks worst of 4 model years, with a complaint index of 100 and 24 complaints, 2 recalls, and an Avoid verdict. Top problem areas are Electrical System (25%), Structure & Body (21%), Suspension (21%), and Transmission & Powertrain (21%).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 4 RSX years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 24
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2006 Acura RSX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System6 (25%)
- Structure & Body5 (21%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (21%)
- Brakes3 (13%)
- Airbags2 (8%)
- Engine1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Parking brake reportedly failed to hold overnight, letting the car roll into a tree and boat trailer.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including a 65 mph collision and a side-impact crash that caused injuries.
- Owners describe the car spinning out on wet or slushy roads at 40 mph, with the front bumper striking a barrier.
- A popping or clicking noise from the right front strut assembly appeared at low mileage, sometimes reappearing after the dealer replaced the strut.
- Owners report grinding when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, worse in cold weather, and occasional slipping out of 3rd gear into neutral.
2006 Acura RSX recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V246000Jun 13, 2013Brakes18,352 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2006 Acura RSX vehicles manufactured January 18, 2006, through August 12, 2006; and model year 2006-2007 Honda S2000 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2006, through November 13, 2006. The brake booster may be unable to maintain a vacuum when the brake pedal is depressed, decreasing brake assist.
Risk: With reduced braking assistance, the vehicle may require additional brake pedal force to prevent a lengthened stopping distance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake booster assembly. If necessary, the dealers will replace the booster assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's recall number is JA4. Acura's recall number is JA5.
- NHTSA 06V270000Jul 26, 2006Other1,190,000 vehicles
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the national highway traffic safety administration's (NHTSA) vehicle safety hotline.
Risk: The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
Remedy: Honda will send a postcard to dealers and owners with the correct NHTSA vehicle safety hotline information and with instructions to insert the card into the "reporting safety defects" section of the owner's manual. The recall began on august 2, 2006. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009, acura at 1-800-382-2238 or honda motorcycles at 1-866-784-1870.
2006 Acura RSX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 31 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other RSX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Acura RSX a good used car?
- NHTSA data ranks the 2006 RSX worst among the 4 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100, 24 complaints, and 2 recalls, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other RSX years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Acura RSX?
- The top problem areas are Electrical System (25% of complaints), Structure & Body (21%), Suspension, Wheels & Tires (21%), and Transmission & Powertrain (21%).
- Does the 2006 Acura RSX have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one covering the brake booster assembly and one correcting incorrect NHTSA hotline contact information in the owner's manual. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- At what mileage do 2006 RSX problems usually appear?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: Suspension issues showed up around 900 miles, Transmission issues around 1,231 miles, Airbags around 23,000 miles, and Electrical System issues around 45,000 miles.
- How does the 2006 RSX compare to the 2005 RSX?
- The 2005 RSX had 32 complaints but a lower complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict, while the 2006 RSX has a higher complaint index of 100 and ranks worst of the 4 years covered.