Honda Car Forum

I am a import fan and know that most Hondas and Acuras are reliable and fun to drive but right now I am really debating if I should buy the Acura RSX-S because alot of owners and stuff online says that there is a 2nd gear grinding problem and the 3rd gear pops. Are they just bad drivers or if I buy this car will I have the same problem?? Also I was wondering if I buy one then put a Comptech Shortshifter on it will it fix the problem?? Besides this I would also like to know if there are any other problems with the car that I should be aware of.

Reliability is an average. Not all Hondas/Toyotas are reliable and not all Range Rovers/Jaguars are unreliable. My Grand Prix(which usually ranks below average in reliability) has been more reliable than my mothers Accord. Anywho, Honda does seem to have wonky transmissions, but I thought that was just limited to their autos.If you get a car with a warranty you should be able to have yourself covered if you get one though.

it depends on the year...2002 has no problems, 2003-2006 have second gear problems, and Acura WILL fix them. If the problem has been fixed, I doubt that you'll have a problem on the car you buy, since they aren't making them anymore, it's gonna be used.So whatever problems you have, will be from others making...so be aware of that and don't blame the car for it's owners inattention.A short shifter will NOT fix the gear problem. In fact it might make it worse. Short shifting is not really good for trannies and I'm sure you already know this...

All acuras have a notch in the third gear, its not that it pops out but rather b/c its not put in gear all the way. It is an internal issue in the transmission it self and installing an aftermarket shifter might shorten the shift points but it will not repair the problem. Acura did how ever come out with an updated m/t fluid that does take most of if not all of it away. The RSX is a fun car, just keep up on the oil changes.Hope this helps.

I know this is an old thread, but I did some google searching and came across this. I have an 03 that I bought back in mid February and I have this problem. Sometimes it will have a slight grind when going into second other times it will be fine. Also, sometimes It will pop into 3rd gear and other times it will be fine. I was wondering what this fluid is, and where I can get it from. Since my car only does this sometimes I was thinking maybe just a change of fluid would fix my problem. I believe I am out of warranty by now and the dealer probably will not fix it for free correct?

Just took my 2002 RSX in to Acura because the 3rd gear grinding & popping out is getting worst. Acura have a service bulletin but no recall so we are stuck with THEIR issue! It is unfair as they DO know it is THEIR PROBLEM but would not fix it!

I have an 05 RSX type S. Third gear would sometimes grind or pop out. Also a couple times I would come out of 2nd gear and it would get stuck for no reason, I would have to wiggle it around and pull it back into 2nd before it would come out and go into 3rd.
Doing a little research I notice people were switching their tranny fluids. I saw a lot of posts about royal purple synchromesh and amsoil syncromesh.

Knowing Acura would give me the run around I decided to give it a try. I replaced the fluid with AMSOIL SYNCHROMESH about 2 months ago and my shifting has never been smoother. No grinds, no getting stuck, nothing. Havent had it pop out of 3rd yet either. Smooth as can be! I recommend changing the fluid before anything else. Youll need to buy 2 quarts. It should take about 1.6 quarts. Good luck.