Model year guide

2004 Acura RSX

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Acura RSX is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 31 on record.

2004 Acura RSX — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Acura RSX at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints17
Combined24–26 mpg
Typical price$3,964

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

2004 Acura RSX recalls 4

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

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.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E038000 · 08/05/2006

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.

Fix: ALFAOTTO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ALFAOTTO AT 626-656-2992 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.ALFAOTTO.COM.

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 5 Oct 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.

2004 Acura RSX common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
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.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

2004 Acura RSX safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2004 Acura RSX 2-DR. w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2004 Acura RSX MPG & running costs

Combined24–26 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,900

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 2004 Acura RSX worth?

Low
$1,895
Typical price
$3,964
High
$5,900

From 31 comparable 2004 Acura RSX listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Acura RSX costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,500
Fuel only$14,500
Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Acura RSX trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · Type-S
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 160 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 200 hp

2004 Acura RSX vehicles on record

2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54854S011414 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54814S016528 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53874S011058 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54834S007801 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54854S004477 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53884S004541 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54854S009002 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54864S017545 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53054S014969 2004 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53094S008236 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54844S002736 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54894S009729 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54844S006334 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54854S006231 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54874S008319 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54834S018359 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53854S002777 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53864S001699 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC54874S000284 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX Type-SJH4DC53034S011147 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53864S008359 2004 Acura RSX 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53894S018786 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53844S000678 2004 Acura RSX BaseJH4DC53804S014576

Other Acura RSX model years

2006 2005 2003 2002

2004 Acura RSX — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Acura RSX have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2004 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 free.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Acura RSX?

Across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, air bags, tires.

What is the 2004 Acura RSX safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2004 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 2004 Acura RSX get?

The 2004 Acura RSX has U.S. EPA estimates of 24–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

How much is a 2004 Acura RSX worth?

Comparable 2004 Acura RSX listings run roughly $1,895–$5,900, typically around $3,964 (from 31 vehicles).

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