The contact owns a 2002 Acura Rsx. When switching from second to third gear, the shifter would pop out of gear and make a grinding noise. The manufacturer could not assist because there were no recalls. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 76,500.

- Rockledge, FL, USA

I've had transmission problems ever since I purchased the new Rsx in 02... this problem has been widely reported on the internet... however Acura has failed to address this issue... the problem only got worse over time and finally the engine blew out completely and starting smoking while driving on the freeway... was very fortunate that no crash occurred but injuries/fatalities could have easily resulted. Acura has failed to own-up to this engine/transmission failure issue, even in cases where the warranty is still valid... I feel very much mislead as I have complained to my dealer since purchase and they always refused to acknowledge that there is a problem... I think the fact that Acura has stopped making the Rsx is an indication of the severity of these "hidden" issues.

- San Diego, CA, USA

I was driving and shifted from 2nd to third and I let out the clutch at 30 mph and the transmission came apart with gears on the ground. Acura never called the warranty company so it was never fixed and they reposed it.

- Leesburg, FL, USA

: the contact stated the SRS light illuminated which made the contact concerned that the air bags may not deploy in the event of an accident. There was a technical service bulletin #637638. The contact expressed this was safety defect. There also has been trouble with switching gears from first to second gear. It made a grinding sound while going into second gear. This problem developed at 12,7000 miles. The vehicle has not been to a service dealer to address either problem.

- Trabuco, CA, USA

I recently purchased 2002 Acura Rsx with 21,200 miles, 5sp manual transmission. The vehicle passed 150- point inspection that was performed at white bear lakes Acura Subaru, mn dealership. The vehicle was Acura-certified, but I decided not to purchase $1,600 certification program because of money constraints. Now, when temperatures around here dropped to 0 degrees F, the vehicle developed 1-2 shifting problem. Shifting to 2nd gear is really hard to do. My 2nd gear synchros are always grinding and especially, now at 20F I am getting constant the 1-2 notch shifts. I've noticed lots of people in internet news groups and forums are having the same identical problem. Just read it: www.petitiononline.com/rsxgrind/petition.html I know for the fact that Honda Motors company on July, 1, 2002 issued a service bulletin 02-016 describing gears grinding when the transmission is shifted between gears. They concluded- worn synchronizers! corrective action: Replace the effected synchronism sleeves set(s). The tsb only applies towards 2002 Rsx type S from VIN jdc530.2C000001 through jdc5302C033312. Good luck getting it fixed for other vehicles. I called local buerkle Acura brooklyn park mn, new and used car dealer and informed them my findings. In addition, I informed that I have a copy of tsb describing the identical symptoms that have developed with my vehicle. They response was to bring the vehicle in and pay us $150 for inspection. When pressed for more information, the service writer at Acura categorically denied anything and stated that they have no such tsb in their possession. In my opinion, Acura Rsx has a serious transmission flaw that causes normal shifts into second gear to grind. This problem has high frequency in all model years. Acura continues to ignore the problem.Acura customer service and Acura dealers either ignore the problem or blame owners abuse and/or poor driving technique.

- New Hope, MN, USA

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 for the car. They said it will cost $7000 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.

- Howell, NJ, USA

Second gear grinding led to transmission failure. Now I have to get my transmission replaced, and dealer wants me to believe its my fault when I rarely drive it hard.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

2nd gear grind on 6speed transmission. Sometimes 3rd gear pops out while driving. Rick case Acura has rebuilt the transmission twice in one year. The transmission still has the same problem. They are now putting in a new transmission. I am not the only with the same problem.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

Transmission mistakenly downshifted to 2nd rather than upshifted to 4th after an uphill climb. At the start of the descend when car gained speed I intended to upshift from 3rd to 4th but shifted to 2nd instead. I spun out of control and found the car facing where I came from. The engine died and will not re-start. Car was towed to dealer and claimed engine was over revved and beyond repair. Acura refused to repair under warranty. Please investigate the shifting mechanism as it is very easy to mistakenly shift to 2nd gear when accelerating or driving downhill. Lucky nobody hurt.

- Stevenson Ranch, CA, USA

Transmission is horrible in the car this is the 2nd one that went on me. The first time it went it popped out of 2nd gear and grinded into 3rd. The second time it started the same way as the first one went, but it only got worse because it got stuck in 3rd gear and that was the only gear that would work, not even reverse!

- Staten Island, NY, USA

Consumer states while driving 30mph the vehicle inadvertently jumped out of 3rd gear.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

When shifting gears from first to second gear the second gear allways grinds. I have talk to other owners of the same type of car and all of them say they have the same problem.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA