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Acura RSXModel year report

2003 Acura RSX Problems

Complaints
25filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
50,250miles, 16 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Acura RSX (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2003 Acura RSX. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 8 complaints (32% of the total), followed by air bags (7) and engine cooling (5). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,250 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 31 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “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 spots results in localized welding with subsequent splitting and a further roughening of rubbing surfaces of one or both of two mating parts. …”

NHTSA complaint #10402713, filed 2011-05, 70,000 miles

Air bags: “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 have them replace this part.”

NHTSA complaint #10279583, filed 2009-08, 80,000 miles

Engine cooling: “Fog light cracked they blamed it on me replaced it and it cracked again 1 week later and they fixed it again blaming it on road vibration. It took Acura 3 times to fix my sticking map lights. My car was at Acura for 1 1/2 weeks for a buzzing sound from the engine they found a buzzing wire after all that time. Transmission was also grinding and they never fixed it. My car's oil has been disappearing since I bought it. My low oil light comes on after 800 miles after topping off. At 13949 they started an oil test they were tiring to tell me it was normal to loose 1qt every 500 miles. …”

NHTSA complaint #10078850, filed 2004-06, 12 miles

Brakes: “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 functioning inadequately and I also feel that it is not my brake pads or routers. I think there is something mechanically wrong with my brakes. I drive at 2003 Acura RSX. …”

NHTSA complaint #10185081, filed 2007-03, 55,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,000 and 80,000 miles.

19%0–1025%10–256%25–5019%50–7519%75–1006%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (16 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 50,250 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20032004102005200720092010201120142018
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Acura RSX. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
RSX · coupe not rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Acura RSX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
RSX FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual243026$2,600
RSX FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed automatic213025$2,700
RSX FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual212824$3,400

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Acura RSX in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 31 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 31 bulletins →

Other model years of the Acura RSX

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20062428,7602—25—Stable
2005321,5000—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20041724,5000—25—Falling
20032550,2500—25Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20027646,5000—24Not compared (before 2008)Rising

All Acura RSX model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Acura RSX have?

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2003 Acura RSX as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Acura RSX is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 8 complaints (32% of the total), followed by air bags with 7.

Has the 2003 Acura RSX been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Acura RSX get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Acura RSX (RSX, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 21 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Acura RSX reported?

Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,250 miles and the middle half falls between 12,000 and 80,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.