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Engine coolingPart report

2002 Acura RSX Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
16about this part
Share
21%of 76 total for the year
Median mileage
21,280miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Acura RSX, 21% of the 76 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,280 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I bought a used 2002 Acura RSX type-s from fiesta dodge in san antonio, tx on october 3, 2005. They said they did a full 101 point inspection on the vehicle. The vehicle had only approximately 48,000 miles. I had the vehicle for 38 days and had put less than 3,000 miles on it when I noted power loss in the upper RPM band. …”

NHTSA complaint #10144385, filed 2005-12, 52,333 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10000058, filed 2002-12, 150 miles

“I bought a certified pre-own 2002 Acura RSX - s on 9/17/2004 from ocean Acura, ocean nj. I even bought the extended warranty. The dealer said they have done over 100 points check and have done all necessary maintenance. Within two and half week, I am experincing transmission problem shifting from second to third and sometime a grinding sound. I have made an appointment with the dealer to bring in the car on 10/13/04. That appointment never took place because the car broke down on 10/09/04. …”

NHTSA complaint #10096154, filed 2004-10, 39,535 miles

“I purchased my Acura RSX, type s on 10-14-02. On 02-14-03 I had problems with the keyless entry not working when it was cold out. The problem occured four times. I would have to manually unlock the doors with my key and I was unable to manually lock the car. It would only last until it warmed up. I had the car looked at on 02-14-03, they said the problem could not be corrected because it was not acting up at that time. Also on 02-14-03 the check engine code was pulled. It was p1163, slow response of the primary oxygen sensor. …”

NHTSA complaint #10069937, filed 2004-01, 5,705 miles

“I took my RSX-s to valencia Acura for them to check my transmission for grinds and wearing of the clutch. I leave my car there and decide to go to the mall. As I am coming back from the mall, I see my car on the street being driven very hard, and for what reason? There's no reason to be driving like that in order to test the gears or clutch out. So they said they called theire district manager and they will hear from them later in the day. So I pick my car back up and start driving and I felt the car was a little weird. …”

NHTSA complaint #10025696, filed 2003-07, 29,290 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200614%
200513%
2003520%
20021621%

Other parts of the 2002 Acura RSX

Transmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Acura RSX

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology