Acura TSX Problems by Year

We compared every Acura TSX model year from 2004–2014 using 671 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 12 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2012, 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2011, which drew far more complaints than other TSX years at the same age. The best years are 2014, 2007 and 2006.

11model years
671complaints
12recalls
2012, 2004worst years
2014, 2007best years

Complaints by model year

2004200520062007200820092010201120122013201414251502234916345133337
Owner complaints per model year, Acura TSX. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20147−77%3BrakeGood
201333−13%4SteeringAverage
20121334.2×6SteeringAvoid
2011451.4×7SteeringCaution
2010632.0×7AirbagAvoid
2009912.9×6AirbagAvoid
200834−28%2SteeringAverage
200722−68%2SteeringGood
200650−30%3SteeringAverage
200551−22%3AirbagAverage
20041423.7×3AirbagAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median TSX year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Acura TSX problems

Latest Acura TSX recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-502 · Jun 27, 2019 · 9,555 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015…

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-378 · May 16, 2019 · 19,138 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-661 · Sep 27, 2018 · 1,355,406 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina,…

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-042 · Jan 9, 2018 · 691,726 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the…

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-545 · Aug 31, 2017 · 3,257 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

All 12 Acura TSX recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Acura TSX should you avoid?

2012, 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2011 — these years have the most complaints relative to other TSX years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 2012.

What is the best year for the Acura TSX?

2014 has the fewest complaints compared with other TSX years at the same age, followed by 2007 and 2006. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Acura TSX problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (223), air bags (122) and brakes (87). Steering complaints peak in the 2012 model year.

How many recalls has the Acura TSX had?

12 recalls across 2004–2014. The model year with the most is 2010. See all Acura TSX recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.