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, LEAVI…
2005 Acura RSX visibility problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$350
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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, LE…
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2005 Acura RSX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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