NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints for the 2004 Acura RSX. Most complaints involve power train (6) and air bags (5). The EPA rates it 24–26 mpg combined.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
CERTAIN ALFAOTTO COMBINATION HEADLAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA RSX. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 65-70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR FOLLOWED BY A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHEN THE CONTACT WOULD DOWNSHIFT TO A LOWER GEAR, THERE WAS A LOW POWER RESPONSE AND A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE FAILURES INCREASED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 ACURA RSX. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, A DRUNK DRIVER WENT THROUGH A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING THE CONTACTS HEAD TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT WHERE DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILAGE WAS 128,628. THE VIN PROVIDED WAS INVALID. *DT *JB”
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONDITION OF THE ROAD WAS DRY. WHEN THE DRIVER TRIED TO TURN BACK TOWARDS THE ROAD, THE WHEEL WOULD NOT RESPOND RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE HITTING THE CENTER DIVIDER. THE UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE SUFFERED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WAS AN EIGHT INCH LONG SLIT THROUGH THE TIRE. THE BRAND OF THE TIRE WAS NEXEN; MODEL # N3000. THE DOT # IS 8EFX. THE SIZE WAS: 245/45/ZR16. UPDATED 10/25/2006 - *NM”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSX Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 30 | 26 | $2,450 | 342 |
| RSX Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 25 | $2,550 | 355 |
| RSX Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | $3,300 | 370 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (6), air bags (5), tires (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Acura RSX at 24–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).