acura rsx 2005 Complaints

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

squeaky front right suspension when bought new and alignment was off to the right. brought to dealer for repair and realignment when only had 100 +/- miles.service advisor verified squeak on suspension. they fixed the alignment but claimed that the noise was gone on suspension, or they could not duplicate it. now with 791 miles,car is back at dealer with suspension squeak worse than before. found that the front right strut is blown and the part is in "national back order." they say that it could take weeks to get the part. they have now had my car longer than i have ever owned it. this is unacceptable, shame on acura for calling themselves a luxary company.*ak

Reported in: SAN JOSE CA || Crash: N || VIN #:

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

bought rzx acura had it for two week loud noice front right the order a new strut assembly repaired car. 4 days later same sound went back they said spring is rubbing the strut base fixed it so far its been two days we will see. it is horrible to save and spend so much for a new car have it for 2 weeks and its junk already unbeliveable...

Reported in: JEANNETTE PA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC530X5S

SUSPENSION:FRONT

acura rsx type-s model, 1,500 miles old. turning wheel at slow speed hearing popping/clunking/clicking noise in front, very highly possibly the front suspension/strut/spring being defective. possibly high speed as well but probably can't hear it. *jb

Reported in: DRESHER PW || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC53035S

SUSPENSION:FRONT

acura rsx type-s model, 1,500 miles old. turning wheel at slow speed hearing popping/clunking/clicking noise in front, very highly possibly the front suspension/strut/spring being defective. possibly high speed as well but probably can't hear it.*jb

Reported in: DRESHER PA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC53035S

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:HEATER CORE

the hvac (air conditioning / heating system / defroster) started smelling bad with a toxic mildew odor the very first day with a brand new automobile. i took it to the dealer and they denied anything was wrong. however, they put a citrus smelling chemical into the vents that only partially masked it. it smells bad after running the air conditioning for a couple of minutes and turning it off, leaving the fan running for a few minutes, while driving. then, it disappears after a few minutes. this happens every time i drive the car or cycle the air conditioning. again, this is a brand new car with less than 500 miles on it. it started occurring with 100 miles on it. i rented another (different brand) car for a week with no problems. this report is for a acura rsx automobile. there is no selection for the acura rsx automobile on this website (next page). *jb correct vehicle added 9/8/2005, duplicate complaint exists. *dsy

Reported in: SCOTTS VALLEY CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC54855S

SUSPENSION:FRONT

the front right wheel started making a banging noise going over some bumps with a brand new automobile. i took it to the dealer and they denied anything was wrong. again, this is a brand new car with less than 500 miles on it. it started occurring with 100 miles on it. this report is for a acura rsx automobile. there is no selection for the acura rsx automobile on this website (next page). *jb correct vehicle added 9/8/2005, duplicate odi report also exists. *dsy

Reported in: SCOTTS VALLEY CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC54855S

SUSPENSION:REAR

the rear of the vehicle pulls to the side when using the brakes on the freeway. when i had my mechanic check it, he found that the right rear wheel had excessive toe-in and corrected it. this is with a with a brand new automobile. i took it to the dealer for other problems also and they denied anything was wrong. again, this is a brand new car with less than 500 miles on it. it started occurring with 100 miles on it. this report is for a acura rsx automobile. there is no selection for the acura rsx automobile on this website (next page). *jb

Reported in: SCOTTS VALLEY CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC54855S

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

this is a safety design failure whereby the front passenger can easily get their feet trapped and/or broken in an accident because some unknown oem piece of equipment is located where the feet normally go. it is probably part of some air bag assembly. the only exception, where this would not be a problem, is if the passenger had very small feet. this has not been reported to the dealer. this report is for an acura rsx automobile. there is no selection for the acura rsx automobile on this website (next page).*jb

Reported in: SCOTTS VALLEY CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC54855S

OTHER

please move odi 10132694 and 10132696 to the honda rsx area as i was unable to find the honda rsx area when first submitting the complaint. thank you. *jb

Reported in: SCOTTS VALLEY CA || Crash: N || VIN #:

SUSPENSION:FRONT

the front right wheel started making a banging noise going over some bumps with a brand new automobile. i took it to the dealer and they denied anything was wrong. again, this is a brand new car with less than 500 miles on it. it started occurring with 100 miles on it.*jb

Reported in: SCOTTS VALLEY CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC54855S

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:HEATER CORE

the hvac (air conditioning / heating system / defroster) started smelling bad with a toxic mildew odor the very first day with a brand new automobile. i took it to the dealer and they denied anything was wrong. however, they put a citrus smelling chemical into the vents that only partially masked it. it smells bad after running the air conditioning for a couple of minutes and turning it off, leaving the fan running for a few minutes, while driving. then, it disappears after a few minutes. this happens every time i drive the car or cycle the air conditioning. again, this is a brand new car with less than 500 miles on it. it started occurring with 100 miles on it. i rented another (different brand) car for a week with no problems. *jb

Reported in: SCOTTS VALLEY CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC54855S

SUSPENSION:FRONT

when turning left at slow speeds (15-25 mph) i hear a clicking/clunking noise coming from the front left of the car. i just purchased the car 2006 rsx and will be taking in tomorrow to see if they can fix it. although i have read that many have had this problem with no fix. *jb

Reported in: DULUTH GA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC538X6S

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

front suspension safety defects. new 2005 acura rsx required front strut assembly replacements due to clunking noise when turning at slow speeds. strut assemblies both on back order, taking three (3) weeks for repairs. american honda motors co., inc., originally claimed that "the fix" for the problem, ("not a safety issue") was to apply a "special lubricant" coming from japan, as determined by "our engineers." ten (10) days later, honda says that the "special lubricant" was not "the fix" but that "shaving down the lower springs was "the fix." within an hour, american honda motors co., inc., by its legal team, claimed that "shaving down" the springs was "not entirely accurate" for the current fix, but rather they would "tweak" the suspension. no further description of this "tweaking" was provided. finally, after deciding not to repurchase the car with defective strut assemblies, honda claims that its engineers have determined that the struts were bent in shipping. the current "fix" is to bend the strut in the opposite direction, i.e., away from the spring, and that all will be well. no consideration was given to any metallurgical defects from bending the steel in opposite direction, nor on any other part of the suspension system as a result of this "tweaking." the identical suspension defects have been reported to this website as early as april 6, 2005, and to various acura dealers in the washington metropolitan area. a single dealer replaced struts on four (4) 2005 rsx cars. moreover, honda has known about the defect at least since mid-july, 2005, if not before, yet refuses to replace the car or to definitively determine the precise problem and a uniform and proper correction since the replacement struts have the same defect as those installed originally. indeed, honda admits that all 2005 rsx base model cars have the problem because a new strut supplier has been providing the struts and springs than has done so previously. *jb

Reported in: WASHINGTON DC || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC53825S

SUSPENSION:FRONT

i purchased my rsx type-s in july 2005, after approx. 1000 miles it began making a loud popping noise when turning the steering wheel at low speeds. after 2000 miles it continued to get louder so i took it in for service. the service writer claimed it was normal noise, they greased some bushings and he told me that if i returned they would be unable to do anything for me. it's odd, why didn't my car make this noise when i purchased it, and if it is normal, why wasn't it making it during the test drive? *jb

Reported in: HESPERIA CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC530X5S

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

the new bright blue headlights are an outstanding inovation when they are properly aimed, however the aim of the headlight is affected by vehicle loading and manufacture and bodyshop/dealer misalligmnment. this allignment is critical. when too much weight is place in the rear of the vehicle, the portion of the headlight that is supposed to be pointing down on the roadway is now directed at oncomming traffic. if manufacturers cannot control this problem by automatically adjusting the horizontal tilt of this lighting system, they should be banned! *nm

Reported in: WILMINGTON DE || Crash: N || VIN #:

SUSPENSION:FRONT

loud clunking noise coming from right front of vehicle. possibly struts. sounds happen at slow speeds, i.e. parking lots, backing up. *nm

Reported in: SEATTLE WA || Crash: N || VIN #:

SUSPENSION

i bought an 05' rsx and have had nothing but problems. the car sounds like a rattling cab, has a terrible suspension and makes a clunking noise that the dealership has been unable to fix since i got the car almost a year ago. they have been nothing but rude and condescending, and are obviously not capable of selling a car that is functional, nor fixing it correctly. i wish i never bought it. *jb

Reported in: SCHENECTADY NY || Crash: N || VIN #:

TIRES

tire blew out while driving approximately 55 mph on highway resulting in loss of control of vehicle, and a crash. the crash caused major front bumper damage and damaged the wheel of the blown out tire to the point where it needed to be replaced. furthermore, the check engine light came on, which was diagnosed by the dealership as an over rev code, presumably at the point after which the tire blew out. *nm

Reported in: WALTHAM MA || Crash: Y || VIN #:

SUSPENSION:FRONT

i purchased a 2005 acura rsx type-s about a year and half ago around 4/20/05. i drove it for about 4 months and i started hearing a clicking noise coming from my suspension, i brought it back to the dealership and they installed a new strut. the next month the same problem occurred and they had to replace the other side of the strut. that same week my car started drifting to one side and my steering wheeling wasn't aligned, i bought it back and everything was okay. the next month i still heard the same clicking noise but i didn't have time to go to the dealer. that same week, i heard a tapping noise coming from my engine, i didn't know what it was so i kept driving. next day, it got worse and i knew there was something wrong, i checked my oil level on a sloped hill but didn't realize it, and it didn't read properly. so, i added two quarts of oil to the engine, but it still had that same tapping noise from the engine. i went to the dealership, and they told me i had destroyed my engine(connecting rods are bent, piston #4 was damaged) and i will need a new engine. the warranty wasn't going to cover it because i added extra oil. so, i immediately got a lawyer, but nothing has been done in a year im still in the same boat and i'm money. i have spoke to several mechanics from various dealers and shops and they told me there's no way adding oil could damage a engine in just a matter of one day. im running out of ideas and my life is at a stand still if there's anything you can do please help. *jb

Reported in: DAVENPORT FL || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC53085S

STEERING:WHEEL AND HANDLE BAR

i purchased a 2005 acura rsx type-s about a year and half ago around 4/20/05. i drove it for about 4 months and i started hearing a clicking noise coming from my suspension, i brought it back to the dealership and they installed a new strut. the next month the same problem occurred and they had to replace the other side of the strut. that same week my car started drifting to one side and my steering wheeling wasn't aligned, i bought it back and everything was okay. the next month i still heard the same clicking noise but i didn't have time to go to the dealer. that same week, i heard a tapping noise coming from my engine, i didn't know what it was so i kept driving. next day, it got worse and i knew there was something wrong, i checked my oil level on a sloped hill but didn't realize it, and it didn't read properly. so, i added two quarts of oil to the engine, but it still had that same tapping noise from the engine. i went to the dealership, and they told me i had destroyed my engine(connecting rods are bent, piston #4 was damaged) and i will need a new engine. the warranty wasn't going to cover it because i added extra oil. so, i immediately got a lawyer, but nothing has been done in a year im still in the same boat and i'm money. i have spoke to several mechanics from various dealers and shops and they told me there's no way adding oil could damage a engine in just a matter of one day. im running out of ideas and my life is at a stand still if there's anything you can do please help. *jb

Reported in: DAVENPORT FL || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC53085S

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

i purchased a 2005 acura rsx type-s about a year and half ago around 4/20/05. i drove it for about 4 months and i started hearing a clicking noise coming from my suspension, i brought it back to the dealership and they installed a new strut. the next month the same problem occurred and they had to replace the other side of the strut. that same week my car started drifting to one side and my steering wheeling wasn't aligned, i bought it back and everything was okay. the next month i still heard the same clicking noise but i didn't have time to go to the dealer. that same week, i heard a tapping noise coming from my engine, i didn't know what it was so i kept driving. next day, it got worse and i knew there was something wrong, i checked my oil level on a sloped hill but didn't realize it, and it didn't read properly. so, i added two quarts of oil to the engine, but it still had that same tapping noise from the engine. i went to the dealership, and they told me i had destroyed my engine(connecting rods are bent, piston #4 was damaged) and i will need a new engine. the warranty wasn't going to cover it because i added extra oil. so, i immediately got a lawyer, but nothing has been done in a year im still in the same boat and i'm money. i have spoke to several mechanics from various dealers and shops and they told me there's no way adding oil could damage a engine in just a matter of one day. im running out of ideas and my life is at a stand still if there's anything you can do please help. *jb

Reported in: DAVENPORT FL || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC53085S

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

my 05 acura rsx type s with a 6-speed manual transmission has a problem where during shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear (with the clutch fully engaged during the shift) it pops out of 3rd gear when the clutch is disengaged. this problem occurs about once every 7 hours of driving for me. when this occurs, the car shifts easily into third, like it normally would, then pops out when the clutch is disengaged. occasionally there is a pop sound when this happens but sometimes it cannot be heard. this has lead to some frightening instances where the car has been in neutral, when i though the shift was successful. on my commute this often happens when turning left through an intersection and when merging on to the freeway. i had one instance where i merged onto the freeway in second gear on a snowy day, attempted to shift to third, and had the car pop out of gear twice, slowing me down significantly and unexpectedly without the benefit of brake lights. luckily the car behind me was able to move into the other lane to avoid braking hard in snowy conditions. i have brought the car in 12 times to have this problem repaired and it still is not fixed. this appears to be a growing issue with honda 6-speed transmission.

Reported in: ANN ARBOR MI || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC53075S

VISIBILITY

the issue i am having is not a one time problem but seems to be ongoing in the winter months. when it gets cold outside, the windows of my car, including front and back windshields, fog and ice up significantly. i have the defroster going at full blast on highest heat, but i still have this issue. the safety issue with this is that i cannot see out of my windows when i need to change lanes or look for oncoming traffic when making a right/left turn. i need to roll down my windows to ensure that traffic is clear. i wasn't sure if this is the type of complaint that should be submitted but i thought it was better to submit, than not. thank you.

Reported in: PEORIA IL || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC54895S

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

transmission grinds when shifting into 3rd gear, pops out of 3rd gear, or is hard to shift into 3rd gear. these symptoms can be intermittent andsometimes more noticeable in colder climates.

Reported in: KINGSTON PA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC530X5S

WHEELS

all the aluminum wheels on my 2005 acura rsx-s are showing signs of early corrosion due to bubbling & erosion of the painted surface. one is particularly bad and is losing pressure at a rate of ~3lbs/sqin per week. this was first discovered on normal monthly pressure check when the tire pressure was 12lbs/sqin below specification. on inspection no puncture of the tire was found and the leak was traced to corrosion at the rim and valve seat. on complaining to the acura dealer under warranty, i was told that wheel damage is not covered but this is not "damage" - it's corrosion due to poor materials and especially paint finish. the wheels are all completely free of accidental dents or nicks and the leak is entirely due to corrosion and i now fear that it will show up in all the other wheels. this is a serious safety hazard and i now have to check all tire pressures weekly and re-inflate the currently affected single wheel. my only remedy here is to have all four wheels refinished at considerable expense.

Reported in: ANDOVER NJ || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC530X5S

AIR BAGS

i have 2005 rsx type s, and within past 2.5 years i had circuitry related to the airbags passenger and driver failed. at 64,000 miles passenger detection sensor in the seat failed and was replaced when srs light came on, at 87,584 miles airbag control unit failed and airbag not functioning light came on. i would like to know if this is just my car happen to have bad airbag circuitry or it is an ongoing issue that acura does not want to address. i checked multiple boards of rsx owners like www.clubrsx.com and see many of them have similar problems.

Reported in: PLEASANTON CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC53015S

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

i have 2005 rsx type s, and within past 2.5 years i had circuitry related to the airbags passenger and driver failed. at 64,000 miles passenger detection sensor in the seat failed and was replaced when srs light came on, at 87,584 miles airbag control unit failed and airbag not functioning light came on. i would like to know if this is just my car happen to have bad airbag circuitry or it is an ongoing issue that acura does not want to address. i checked multiple boards of rsx owners like www.clubrsx.com and see many of them have similar problems.

Reported in: PLEASANTON CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4DC53015S

TIRES

on 11/20/12, i drove my 2005 acura rsx to acura of manhattan (aom) in ny, ny. the service included 4 new tires -- michelin 215/45/17. on 12/01/12, after 40-50 miles with new tires, the vehicle starts vibrating. i stop and notice a blown-out front right tire. emergency road assistance puts on the spare tire, notices the other 3 tires are under-inflated and adds air. i return to aom on 12/03/12, mentioning the vibrations, blown-out tire, and 3 under-inflated tires. aom guarantees that all remaining tires are in good condition and replaces the blown-out tire. on 12/14/12, on a divided parkway the car again starts vibrating. i slow down to stop, but the rear of the car yanks to the right, the car spins wildly, i smash head-on into the median divider, the air bags deploy, the car spins around, the rear hits the median, i come to a standstill. no other car is involved. i am unhurt. i leave the car; i notice one rear tire off the rim and the other one flat. the police write up an accident report. the car is towed to a garage. my insurance company rapidly determines it is a total loss. it was the first time ever that a car of mine vibrated -- not once but twice in two weeks. the first time, one tire blew out; the second time, both rear tires were either off the rim or flat. and this immediately after aom had replaced all 4 tires. i sent a certified mail letter to [xxx], president and chairman of aom, asking for an explanation. i got 3 non-explanatory e-mails from a [xxx]; none addressed the questions raised in my letter. i report this to nhtsa to prevent further accidents caused by improper service by aom. were the tires defective? did the local distributor provide old tires with reduced elasticity? did the tires properly fit my car's rims? did aom correctly install, calibrate and balance the tires? as of this writing, no response has been given by aom which is avoiding the issue. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Reported in: NEW YORK NY || Crash: Y || VIN #: JH4DC53065S