Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
0601200406/01/200410014342Engine idle problems check the iac valve. *eh04/29/2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
09010509/16/200510018108A loose timing chain, a defective auto tensioner, a loose timing chain sprocket, low engine oil pressure or a momentarily seized camshaft can cause an intermittent dtc. *jb12/15/2005
50505/16/200510016260Cranks won't start, immobilizer light flashes. *tt09/06/2005
120312/16/200310014160Updating replacement ecm/pcm software. *nm04/28/2005
0401405/04/200410008707Engine hesitates when accelerating from a stop. *mj08/17/2004
0401406/11/20040401410008520Engine hesitates when accelerating from a stop. *tt08/04/2004
01070207/01/2002636793Service manual fix regarding torque spec for camshaft pulse plate. *tt11/14/2002
01110111/01/2001627366Information regarding oil leak at chain case. *yh02/06/2002
100110/16/2001626564Oil leak at timing chain cover. *yd12/17/2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
50205/16/2002638020Subject regarding camshaft pulse plate torque specification. *tt12/09/2002
50205/16/2002638021Subject regarding diagnostic trouble code p0336 condition after engine repairs. *tt12/09/2002
50205/16/2002638019Information on diagnosing diagnostic trouble code p1122, tps high or p1163 af sensor. *tt12/09/2002
30203/01/2002631035Some 2000 mdx models as well as other models may exhibit brief hesitation when accelerating at high engine speed. *tt05/01/2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
0203612/02/200210000700Squeal or whine from the drive belt. *tt03/27/2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
0401806/18/200410008522Exhaust noise during hard acceleration. *tt08/04/2004
10010210/01/200210005945Install intake manifold runner control (imrc) valve correctly. acura servicenews. *tt03/19/2004
09220309/22/200307010310004687Honda is investigating an exhaust leak at the header flex joint to the converter with customer's contention as a rattle or exhaust noise. warranty parts inspection address included. *tt12/31/2003
07140307/14/200310002981Honda is investigating an exhaust leak at the header flex joint to the converter with customer's contention as a rattle or exhaust noise. *tt10/02/2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
06010306/01/200310002692Information on finding a vehicle's emission type or group. *tt09/11/2003

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
09/01/20122
 2002 acura rsx. consumer states problem with valve assembly *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle was diagnosed with a drc code of 91077. the dealer followed the repair step in order to correct the problem. they installed 17120-ppa-a01 valve assembly. however, when she went to pick the vehicle up, the light came back on and the dealer ordered another valve assembly. the consumer was informed that the light may still come on and they would have to follow certain diagnostic steps in order to get the engine light to go out. *jb
02/15/20035705
 I purchased my acura rsx, type s on 10-14-02. on 02-14-03 i had problems with the keyless entry not working when it was cold out. the problem occured four times. i would have to manually unlock the doors with my key and i was unable to manually lock the car. it would only last until it warmed up. i had the car looked at on 02-14-03, they said the problem could not be corrected because it was not acting up at that time. also on 02-14-03 the check engine code was pulled. it was p1163, slow response of the primary oxygen sensor. they stated that they knew the o2 sensors were sensitive and suggested to reset the codes and watch for further problems. on 09-12-03 the check engine cose was pulled again. it was p1163, o2 sensor & p0219 engine over speed for condition. on 09-23-03 the o2 sensor was replaced. on 10-13-03 the check engine light came on again. i could not get in until 10-16-03. on 10-15-03 the light went off. the dealership did not want to pull the codes since the light went off. i insisted that the codes be pulled, because i did not want to be found negligent if something were to happen down the road. the codes pulled were p1163 & p0219. they suggested i take the car to the dealership i bought it at. they did not replace the o2 sensor again, because they had just replaced it. they felt there was an underlying condition besides the o2 sensor. on 11-03-03 the check engine light came on again. my appointment is 11-06-03. i have sent my info to automobile lemon law attorneys in elmhurst il. i also contacted acura customer service in torrence ca. i want others to be aware of these problems. the only reason i bought an acura is because of it's reputation of being a well built car.
03/12/2004212801
 While driving 60 mph a fire started in the engine. consumer managed to pull over, and had the vehicle towed. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
07/15/2002108/12/2001
 This is for a 2002 acura rsx; oil consumption issue. since i've owned the car, it has been using about 1 1/2 quarts of oil each 3,000 miles. i've contacted the local dealership, who is working with me to collect usage data with each oil change and the acura consumer help line. the acura consumer help line is very rude, not very helpful and seems to not want to give me statistically correct information with this problem. i've had 2 high performance honda crxs for upwards of 150,000 miles and neither had the usage issue as this rsx. without resolving the issue, it is likely that the engine could wear out or cause other related problems. i am looking for acura to look further into the problem, do further testing, give me an explanation to my satisfaction and change the engine, as this is not a usual problem, from what i understand. at this point, because acura doesn't appear to want to deal with this issue, i am verbally warning other possible buyers away because of the oil consumption and the lack of consumer respect and courtesy from the acura consumer help phone line. i think acura knows there is an issue and wants me to foot the bill when the car fails before its time. *nm
11/16/200552333110/03/2005
 I bought a used 2002 acura rsx type-s from fiesta dodge in san antonio, tx on october 3, 2005. they said they did a full 101 point inspection on the vehicle. the vehicle had only approximately 48,000 miles. i had the vehicle for 38 days and had put less than 3,000 miles on it when i noted power loss in the upper rpm band. i immediately took it to another dealer to get inspected, where i found out that the vehicle was burning oil badly and had done enough damage to ruin the motor, thankfully i had purchased an extended warranty and it was seen as a manufacturer's defect, but still i am without a car for the next month while the new motor is installed. *jb
10/09/200439535109/17/2004
 I bought a certified pre-own 2002 acura rsx - s on 9/17/2004 from ocean acura, ocean nj. i even bought the extended warranty. the dealer said they have done over 100 points check and have done all necessary maintenance. within two and half week, i am experincing transmission problem shifting from second to third and sometime a grinding sound. i have made an appointment with the dealer to bring in the car on 10/13/04. that appointment never took place because the car broke down on 10/09/04. i got in touch with roadside assistance and they have towed the car to the nearest acura dealer (ryan's open road) east brunswick n.j. i have spoken to ocean acura, acura america and ryan's several time. ryan has determine that the engine is damage and i will need a new engine. the dealer (ocean) is trying to put the blame on me saying that i have abused the engine and i am responsible for fixing it. ocean acura said, he is not responsible to talk to acura america. today is 10/21/2004 and i have not got a definite resolution. acura america has not call me back, ocean acura said they are not responsible. the car is at ryan's. i paid $21,000.00 for the car. they said it will cost $7000.00 to put in a new engine. i have done some research on the acura rsx s and i have found over 14,000 complains about transmission problems. acura does not have a recall on these models. help!. i don't know what to do. if i take a lawyer will have to another $500 - $1000 lawyer fees. i would appreciate if some could lead me to solve this problem. thank you.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
02/01/2002
 When looking through the front two tires/wheels you can actually see through to the engine. i've checked all other cars and they all have some sort of covering that prevents water, dirt or objects from getting into the engine. i am disappointed to find that a brand new car such as the acura rsx doesn't have that covering. this may lead to engine problems if something gets in there. during the rainy season, water can sip through and ruin the engine also. i called the dealer and they said that if the manufacturer did not put a cover then it would assume to be safe. i don't think it's that safe or durable, afterall maybe it's the design of the car. nevertheless, i believe that having a cover would help protect the engine better.*ak
08/30/20010
 While driving and trying to shift to another gear vehicle would not go to into that gear. it will go into another gear, either higher or lower ,but it won't go into gear that was indicated. this sudden change in engine caused acceleration change. on highway it misshifted, and then engine died. took vehicle to dealer, and they said engine needed to be replaced. if this would have happened on a busy road there would have been an accident. please provide any further information. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
02/15/20035705
 I purchased my acura rsx, type s on 10-14-02. on 02-14-03 i had problems with the keyless entry not working when it was cold out. the problem occured four times. i would have to manually unlock the doors with my key and i was unable to manually lock the car. it would only last until it warmed up. i had the car looked at on 02-14-03, they said the problem could not be corrected because it was not acting up at that time. also on 02-14-03 the check engine code was pulled. it was p1163, slow response of the primary oxygen sensor. they stated that they knew the o2 sensors were sensitive and suggested to reset the codes and watch for further problems. on 09-12-03 the check engine cose was pulled again. it was p1163, o2 sensor & p0219 engine over speed for condition. on 09-23-03 the o2 sensor was replaced. on 10-13-03 the check engine light came on again. i could not get in until 10-16-03. on 10-15-03 the light went off. the dealership did not want to pull the codes since the light went off. i insisted that the codes be pulled, because i did not want to be found negligent if something were to happen down the road. the codes pulled were p1163 & p0219. they suggested i take the car to the dealership i bought it at. they did not replace the o2 sensor again, because they had just replaced it. they felt there was an underlying condition besides the o2 sensor. on 11-03-03 the check engine light came on again. my appointment is 11-06-03. i have sent my info to automobile lemon law attorneys in elmhurst il. i also contacted acura customer service in torrence ca. i want others to be aware of these problems. the only reason i bought an acura is because of it's reputation of being a well built car.
02/14/2003510/14/2002
 Possible lemon law qualifier. *mr the check engine light had come on four times the dealer stated the #02 sensor was sensitive, they also suggested that the part should reset. there were problems with the locks and keyless entry. *scc *jb
02/14/2003410/14/2002
 Problems with 2002 acura rsx possible lemon law qualifier. *mr the check engine light had come on. the consumer was told that the 02 oxygen sensor was sensitive and was reset but the problem was more than two occasions. there were problems with the locks/keyless entry, and the passenger side airbag light had come on. *scc *jb
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
07/08/200329290111/24/2001
 I took my rsx-s to valencia acura for them to check my transmission for grinds and wearing of the clutch. i leave my car there and decide to go to the mall. as i am coming back from the mall, i see my car on the street being driven very hard, and for what reason? there's no reason to be driving like that in order to test the gears or clutch out. so they said they called theire district manager and they will hear from them later in the day. so i pick my car back up and start driving and i felt the car was a little weird. well it just soo happened something happened when the dealer had it and i wasnt told. my check engine light came on while i was driving my car as i usually do and my car later died about 1/2 mile down the road. now they have the motor opened up and they are saying that the motor was mis firing all 4 cylinders and its due to over revving the engine. i never over revved my engine and it only happened after i got my car from the dealer.*ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
06/06/2003111/01/2001
 My 2002 acura rsx emits a terrible rotten egg odor form the emission system .. fumes are very strong and surely unsafe.. dealer says only that i have bad gas but it's been a persistent problem for 18 months that will not go away.*ak
10/01/200208/10/2002
 Since august 10, 2002, i've leased an acura rsx. in october of 2002, a rotten egg or sulfur smell has been coming from my vehicle both inside and outside of it. it occurs at no certain time or circumstance, just everyday at one time or another. the smell gives me headaches and forces me to roll my window down whether its cold, hot, or rainy outside just to provide me with some relief. the dealership, hendrick acura in charlotte, nc has replaced my catalytic converter twice. both times they assured me i wouldn't smell anything again. however, they were wrong. acura's customer service people tell me its just a normal by-product of the engine and that there's nothing to fix the problem. *nlm
01/29/200315001006/15/2002
 When coming to a stop at a traffic light or stop sign, vehicle will emit a rotten egg (sulphur) smell into the passenger compartment. only happens when air flow is set to 'fresh air' and not to 'recirculate.' i fthe 'recirculate' option is truned on, the smell will dissapate. i feel it is unsafe to have exhaust gases entering the passenger compartment. i have heard others with similar complaints on this matter.
01/04/2002150012/28/2002
 My 2002 acura rsx emits a terrible rotten egg odor after i drive it for about five minutes and stop for a stop sign. the smell comes back intermitently while driving sometimes becoming quite overpowering in the car. the dealer has no solution. hydrogen sulfide is a poisonous gas. the situation is on going and have been back to the dealer many times.