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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2003 Acura RSX Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
32%of 25 total for the year
Median mileage
10,600miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Acura RSX, 32% of the 25 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,600 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“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

“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 serious exhaust damage that cost upwards of $400 which the dealership did not cover under warranty because they argued that the emergency brake should have been on, which it wasn't. …”

NHTSA complaint #10047181, filed 2003-11, 10,600 miles

“When trying to shift into 2nd gear it grinds and pops out. It is so bad that now it will not allow you to put it in 2nd at all. Synchros are bad...common problem with RSX. Acura should be forced to fix this issue since it is so common in these vehicles.”

NHTSA complaint #10558969, filed 2014-01, 178,000 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 dealer twice (12-15-03 and 1-9-04) for this problem. They replaced synchronizers in the transmission. The problem still occurs.”

NHTSA complaint #10055183, filed 2004-01, 7,940 miles

“Every once in awhile (about once a week) my transmission pops out of 3rd gear in my type-s after I push it all the way forward. I took it to my dealer to have it looked at and they confirmed that it was popping out but I was told it would go away. Unfortunately, it has not gone away and it is very inconvenient when you are in are trying to make a turn and shift and the car just crawls through the intersection because you are gassing it in neutral. A couple of times it has not popped out all of the way and when I released the clutch, my gears started to grind. …”

NHTSA complaint #10056438, filed 2004-02

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2006521%
200526%
2004635%
2003832%
20022026%

Other parts of the 2003 Acura RSX

Air bags
7 complaints
Engine cooling
5 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Electrical system
1 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Acura RSX

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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