BENT LOWER SPRING SEAT CAN CAUSE POPPING OR KNOCKING. ACURA SERVICENEWS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Acura RSX suspension problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
When does it fail?
Of the 12 suspension complaints filed for the 2005 Acura RSX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Suspension accounts for 38% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 20 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Acura RSX has a pattern of front suspension defects showing up early in the car's life. Most commonly, owners hear clunking, popping, or clicking noises when turning the steering wheel at low speeds—parking lots, backing up, or slow-speed turns around 15–25 mph. These noises often start around 100 miles and get worse over the first few thousand miles. One owner's front right strut assembly blew out at 791 miles.
One owner also reported the rear pulling to the side under braking at freeway speeds, with an independent mechanic finding excessive toe-in on the right rear wheel.
When owners take the car to the dealer, responses have been inconsistent. Some dealers claim the noise is normal, others try greasing bushings, and some deny anything is wrong—even though these are brand-new cars. Replacement strut assemblies were on national backorder for weeks. Honda's own explanations shifted multiple times: first claiming special lubricant would fix it, then saying to shave the springs, then claiming struts were bent in shipping and needed to be bent the opposite direction. One owner reported that replacement struts had the same defect as the originals, and Honda later admitted that a new strut supplier was the source of the problem affecting all 2005 RSX Base models.
Failure modes owners describe
Front strut assembly defect — clunking/popping on slow-speed turns
Owners report clunking, popping, or clicking noise from the front suspension when turning the steering wheel at low speeds (15–25 mph). Multiple owners bought the car new and heard the noise starting around 100–1,000 miles. One owner reported a blown front right strut at 791 miles. The issue appears widespread across 2005 RSX models.
When: 100–1,500 miles; some manifested within the first two weeks of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Clunking noise when turning at slow speeds; Popping noise when turning steering wheel; Clicking noise from front suspension during turns; Blown front strut assembly
Repairs/costs cited: Strut assemblies on national back order; replacement took weeks. One dealer report of spring rubbing the strut base as a secondary finding after strut replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda initially claimed special lubricant from Japan would fix it, then changed to shaving down lower springs, then claimed struts were bent in shipping and offered to bend them in the opposite direction. Honda admitted new strut supplier was the source of the problem. Replacement struts exhibited the same defect.
Rear wheel alignment defect — excessive toe-in
Owner reported the rear of the vehicle pulling to the side during braking on the freeway on a brand-new car with under 500 miles. An independent mechanic found excessive toe-in on the right rear wheel and corrected it. The dealer denied any alignment issue.
When: Under 500 miles; started at 100 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls to the side when braking on freeway; Excessive toe-in on right rear wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic corrected excessive right rear toe-in.
Front suspension banging over bumps
Owners reported banging or clunking noise from the front right wheel area when going over bumps on brand-new cars with under 500 miles. One owner noted the problem started at 100 miles and the dealer denied anything was wrong.
When: Under 500 miles; started around 100 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Banging noise from front right wheel going over bumps; Clunking noise over road imperfections
General suspension rattle and noise — unresolved
One owner reported the car sounding like a rattling cab with a terrible suspension and clunking noise that the dealership was unable to fix for nearly a year of ownership. Multiple dealer visits yielded no resolution.
When: Early in ownership; persisted for approximately one year
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling sound; Clunking noise; General suspension noise unresolved by dealership
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to repair despite multiple visits.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
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…
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
Loud clunking noise coming from right front of vehicle. Possibly struts. Sounds happen at slow speeds, I.e. Parking lots, backing up. *nm
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…
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
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
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).…
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…
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
Had suspension trouble with your 2005 Acura RSX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2005 Acura RSX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 1,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Acura/RSX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.