Model year guide

2005 Acura RSX

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2005 Acura RSX is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 33 on record.

2005 Acura RSX — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2005 Acura RSX at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints32
Combined23–26 mpg
Typical price$4,633

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2005 Acura RSX recalls 2

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E064000 · 17/07/2006

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #06E023000 · 13/03/2006

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2005 Acura RSX common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.

2005 Acura RSX safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Frontal crash test — 2005 Acura RSX 2-DR. w/SABFrontal crash test
Side barrier test — 2005 Acura RSX 2-DR. w/SABSide barrier test

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2005 Acura RSX 2-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2005 Acura RSX MPG & running costs

Combined23–26 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,950
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
Transmission3 options
Passenger volume81 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2005 Acura RSX worth?

Low
$1,800
Typical price
$4,633
High
$6,800

From 32 comparable 2005 Acura RSX listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2005 Acura RSX costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,800
Total$16,550
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($4,633) with the same model 3 model-years older ($3,539), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
172.4 in
Width
68.1 in
Height
55.1 in
Wheelbase
101.2 in
Curb weight
2,705–2,848 lb
Front track
58.3 in
Rear track
58.3 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2005 Acura RSX — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 25

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 25.

Sending vehicle data to tech line.

Bulletin BJA46167 · Equipment · Jan 2017

Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.

Bulletin B98015 · Equipment · Mar 2016

Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various 2002-06 Acura models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been updated.

Bulletin DLR MSG - Acura · Air Bags · Aug 2014

Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various 2002-06 Acura models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-023, Safety Recall: Front Passenger?s Airbag Inflator Can Be Over-Press…

Bulletin DLR MSG - Stop S · Air Bags · Jul 2014

ACURA: UPDATE ON SOME MODEL VEHICLES REGARDING TESTING OF ALTERNATORS WITH THE GR8 ALTERNATOR/STARTER TESTER (AST) MODULE THAT IS INSTALLED ON GR8 DIAGNOSTIC BATTERY STATION. *PE

Bulletin SB-12-001 · Electrical System · Jan 2012

ACURA: THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INPUT IN MISINTERPRETED BY THE ECM/PCM/ THE MIL COMES ON. *PE

Bulletin SB-06-023 · Engine And Engine Cooling, Power Train · Oct 2011

HONDA ACURA: 2005-2006 RSX. THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON WITH A TROUBLE CODE STORED DUE TO THE AIR/FUEL SENSOR DAMAGED BY MOISTURE IN THE EXHAUST. *RM

Bulletin SB-07-019 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2011

ACURA: THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING: TIRE PRESSURE VALVE STEM INSTALLATION, TRAILER STABILITY MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON, ENGINE OIL APPLICATION GUIDE, NEW SOFTWARE, NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID, NOTCHY STEERING FEELING. *RM

Bulletin SB-0708 · Tires · Nov 2010

ACURA: 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR, POPS OUT OF 3RD GEAR, OR IS HARD TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. TRANSMISSION HAS A FAULTY 3RD GEAR SYNCHRONIZER OR 3-4 SHIFT SLEEVE. *PE

Bulletin 08-018 · Power Train · Jul 2008

LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY REDUCED LABEL FOR ALL ACURA VEHICLES. *PE

Bulletin 08-026 · Equipment · May 2008

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the RSX. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Acura RSX

The Acura RSX is an automobile nameplate used by Honda for its upmarket brand Acura. The nameplate has been used for two different car models:A rebadged Japanese market Honda Integra sold between 2001 and 2006. A cancelled battery electric coupe SUV that was slated for production in 2026.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2005 Acura RSX trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Type-S
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 160 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 210 hp

2005 Acura RSX vehicles on record

2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54895S009909 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53055S011734 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53005S018039 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54855S012676 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54875S018141 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54825S002204 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54835S003118 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54805S002024 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54815S000881 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54805S005568 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53025S004966 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54845S001314 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC530X5S003595 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC548X5S005030 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53085S005880 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53855S003560 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53045S004225 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53835S004528 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54855S016761 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54875S005292 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53845S006336 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53035S011263 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54885S014972 2005 Acura RSX 2005 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54855S000589

Other Acura RSX model years

2006 2004 2003 2002

2005 Acura RSX — frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Acura RSX have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 Acura RSX. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Acura RSX?

Across all 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, air bags, electrical system.

What is the 2005 Acura RSX safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2005 Acura RSX crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Acura RSX get?

The 2005 Acura RSX has U.S. EPA estimates of 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

How much is a 2005 Acura RSX worth?

Comparable 2005 Acura RSX listings run roughly $1,800–$6,800, typically around $4,633 (from 32 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.