Acura›RSX›2003›Overview/acura/rsx/2003/base/

2003 Acura RSX

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 RSX.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S5)

The 2003 Acura RSX is a passenger car equipped with an automatic five‑speed transmission and a powertrain that requires 4.4 quarts of 5W‑30 API oil. It returns an EPA‑estimated 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. Owner‑reported complaints total 31 for this model year, with air bags emerging as the leading concern and four recalls issued. Compared with the broader 2001‑2008 RSX run — where complaints peaked at 91 in 2002 and fell to just one by 2007 — the 2003 sits well below the early high but above the later low, indicating a modest improvement trajectory.

Model year2006 2005 2004 2003 2002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy21/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 400 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 400 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP205-55VR16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	172.4 in
Overall width	68.1 in
Overall height	55.1 in
Wheelbase	101.2 in
Curb weight	2639 lb
Track (front / rear)	58.3 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	21 / 30 / 25 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RSX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2003 Type-S Factory Performance Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2003	Type-S Factory Performance Coupe 2.0L I-4	6.80 sec	15.40 sec	200 hp	FWD
2002	Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-4	6.10 sec	14.80 sec	200 hp	FWD
2002	Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-4	6.30 sec	15.00 sec	200 hp	FWD
2002	Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-4	6.71 sec	15.11 sec	200 hp	FWD
2002	Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-4	6.90 sec	15.40 sec	200 hp	FWD
2002	Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-4	7.03 sec	15.32 sec	200 hp	FWD
2005	Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-4	6.20 sec	14.90 sec	210 hp	FWD
2005	Type-S Coupe 2.0L I-4	6.40 sec	14.90 sec	210 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.4 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.9 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	AT: 54, MT: 76-87 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	AT: 54, MT: 76-87 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	16 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	33 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	8mm Bolts: 16, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	80 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug	36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	134 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	134 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	181 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)	720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)	780 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.10-1.21 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	4.33-5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	400 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	169-176 °F
Pressure Test	14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	169-176 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	47-54 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	47.0-54.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	80 ft-lbs / 16 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	80 ft-lbs / 41 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.060 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.82 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.83 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.748 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

22 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

14 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

36 ft. lbs., step 2: 90

36 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	29.0 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees; If using new bolts, tighten an additional 90 degrees	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	29.0 ft. lbs.	29 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees; If using new bolts, tighten an additional 90 degrees	90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 110,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 mi	Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 110,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 Acura RSX falls within a generation that saw a significant spike in complaints and technical service bulletins (TSBs) in 2002, followed by a general downward trend through 2008. With 31 complaints and 71 TSBs, the 2003 model shows a marked improvement over the 2002 model's 91 complaints and 115 TSBs, though it remains higher than the 17 complaints and 43 TSBs seen in 2004. The target year maintains a recall count of 4, which is consistent with the figures reported for 2002 and 2004. For 2003, the most frequent complaints involved Air Bags (8) and Power Train (6), although the data does not specify the root causes of these issues. There were 5 reported crash complaints and 0 fire complaints for this specific year. Because 2003 sits on the declining side of the generation's peak issue rate, it is a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’01 ’02’03’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 31 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags8

Power Train6

Engine & Engine Cooling3

Vehicle Speed Control2

Service Brakes, Hydraulic2

Tires2

Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train1

Engine & Engine Cooling,Vehicle Speed Control1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 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… Remedy: 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…

06E038000Exterior LightingReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 71 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
BJA46167	2017-01-01	Equipment	Sending vehicle data to tech line.
B98015	2016-03-18	Equipment	Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
DLR MSG - Acura	2014-08-06	Air Bags	Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various…
DLR MSG - Stop S	2014-07-23	Air Bags	Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various…
1202	2011-12-12	Unknown Or Other	SEARCHING ISIS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE INFORMATION. 1996 - 2003 MODELS. *TT UPDATED…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RSX. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 51R battery Vehicles taking 4.4 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 RSX take?

4.4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 RSX have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RSX get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.