NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 24 owner complaints for the 2006 Acura RSX. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (5) and power train (5). The EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2006 Acura RSX vehicles manufactured January 18, 2006, through August 12, 2006; and model year 2006-2007 Honda S2000 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2006, through November 13, 2006. The brake booster may be unable to maintain a vacuum when the brake pedal is depressed, decreasing brake assist.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“ACURA RSX 2002 TO 2006 OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED A FLOOD IN THEIR REAR TIRE WELL, CAUSING TAIL LIGHTS, IN SOME TO RUST OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE, PARTICULARLY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND YOUR TAIL LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, YET THE BLOGS ON ACURA RSX WEB SITE ARE HUGE! IT'S AN EXPENSIVE FIX AND NOT ALWAYS COVERED BY WARRANTIES. MY CAR JACK IS RUSTED OUT AND THE SPARE TIRE WON'T COME OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. *TR”
“WHEN SHIFTING TO 3RD GEAR FROM 2ND OR 4TH IN MY 2006 RSX TYPE S, THE GEAR WILL GRIND, EXTRA FORCE WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUCCESSFULLY SHIFT, OR THE SHIFTER WILL POP OUT INTO NEUTRAL. THE APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE IS THE LATEST DAY THAT THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IN DECEMBER 2005; THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR. AFTER BRINGING IT INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, NO ISSUES WERE FOUND. MULTIPLE DRIVERS OF THE CAR HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR WARM, AND IN VARIOUS TYPES OF WEATHER. AFTER OVER 85,000 MILES DRIVEN, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT GOTTEN WORSE OR BETTER. *TR”
“I BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW, 2006 ACURA RSX(SEPT.16,2005), AT ABOUT BETWEEN 300 TO 500 MILES I STARTED TO HEAR POPPING NOISE OR SOME TYPE OF NOISE SOUNDING LIKE A BAD AXLE WOULD MAKE WHEN I MAKE SLOW TURNS OR FAST TURNS SOMETIMES. ACURA FIXED THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME IT WAS SOME CUSHION PROBLEM WITH THE SPRINGS. AT ABOUT BETWEEN 10K TO 15K MILES I STARTED TO HEAR IT AGAIN(BETWEEN DEC. AND BEGINNING OF JAN) I TOOK IT BACK TO ACURA THEY FIXED IT AGAIN ...NOW AT ABOUT 30K MILES I STARTED TO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT I DON'T TAKE IT INTO ACURA UNTIL ABOUT 36K BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE TIME AND I WANT THE NOISE TO BE LOUDER AND WORST AND SO IT DID AT ABOUT 36K...IM SCHEDULE FOR A SERVICE AT ACURA ON SEPT.6 . THIS CAR IS STARTING TO BECOME A LEMON IN MY VIEWS. I ALSO KNOW IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2006 ACURA RSX. *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 | 31 | 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 | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| 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 |
2 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 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (5), power train (5), suspension (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2006 Acura RSX at 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).