Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Acura RSX, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12 | 38% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 9% |
| Air bags | 3 | 9% |
| Visibility | 3 | 9% |
| Tires | 2 | 6% |
| Power train | 2 | 6% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I BOUGHT A VEHICLE LAST YEAR AND NEVER RAN THE CARFAX BUT NOW I HAVE IT AND IT APPEARS THE MILEAGE HAS BEEN TAMPERED WITH
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
ON SAT DEC 10 2018 I WAS BULLING IN TO A PARKING SPACE AT WALMART AFTER 7AM. I WAS GOING SLOWLY AND STARTED A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE. AS I TURNED I WAS LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVVED TO A HIGH
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
THE CAR FAILED TO STOP FOR AN INTERSECTION. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CROSS TRAFFIC, SO WE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM: POWER BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED TO KEEP VACUUM, MAKING BRAKES WEAK. I SEE TH
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS ON COMING ON FOR MANY YEARS. THE ACURA DEALER DOES NOT KNOW THE ISSUE AND WILL NOT REPAIR THE AIRBAGS UNTIL THERE IS A RECALL OF THE AIRBAGS. THE LIGHT HAS COME ON PROBABLY ONCE PER
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON - I HAD A MECHANIC RESET IT BUT IT CAME BACK ON FEW DAYS LATER. I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT HONDA IS RECALLING HONDAS & ACURAS FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM , IS THIS ONE OF THEM ? AM I E
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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,
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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. THI
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 Acura RSX. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
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 EQUIPME
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 82 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 12 of them (38%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 82/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.