Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Acura TSX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Hello: while "spring cleaning" my 2004 Acura TSX, I was cleaning up change etc. Under the seats. I had to move the driver's side seat forward and up to clean/vacuum better.(power seat). I immediately noticed that the wiring harness under the driver's seat was damaged. The electrical tape protecting the harness had been rubbed off,exposing the wire(s). The rubbing is a result of a poorly positioned harness. The seat frame rubs on this harness when the seat is moved back and forth. (I tested this myself,and took digital pictures as well) it is no doubt a matter of time before bare wires are exposed,causing a short circuit or possible worse,fire (?)...the wires would come into contact with the seat frame!!! This is simply a result of poor harness positioning at the factory etc..........
2004 Acura TSX driver's seat movement - during normal driving and stopping, driver's seat will frequently shift or move approximately .25"-.50" after several months of experiencing this, vehicle was taken to Acura dealer (arizona) and inspected. Vehicle was returned without repair where issue was diagnosed as acceptable. On several occasions there has been sufficient seat movement to cause driver to temporarily lose contact with clutch (manual transmission model) due to foot slipping off clutch pedal. This creates a hazardous condition where it can be difficult to fully maintain complete control of the vehicle. Situation is extremely troublesome during congested stop and go freeway driving where vehicle dynamics cause issue to reoccur on a frequent basis.
I own a 2004 Acura TSX with 25,000 miles. Beginning last month, my driver seat began to move forward and backward while braking, or accelerating. I feel it is very unsafe for a driver seat to move at all during driving. I contacted the Acura dealership who inspected my vehicle and indiated the seat movement was normal. I subsequently contacted Acura client services, and they too indicated the seat movement as normal. No further actions have been taken. I can provide you with the letter I faxed to Acura client services, as well as a copy of my invoice from the Acura dealership, or any other information you require.
Acura TSX 2004 driver seat slides back to front during heavy breaking or down shifting. Seat shift is about 1-2 inches and has a spring like effect. Also driver seat shifts slightly side to side during turns. Dealer states movement is normal factory specifications. To my knowledge from reading online forums, there are hundreds if not thousands of TSX cars that have this problem. No TSB created to this date. Car is being taken in for fourth time to attempt to address problem. I sense that in the right situation, this seat shift problem May cause foot to slip off brake and cause an accident.
Driver's seat shifts forward upon breaking, and left to right when turning at any speed. This problem was in conjunction with a broken plastic panel in the seat base, which was subsequently fixed on the third repair. Seat shift was finally fixed after the third repair. Now, 4 weeks later, the problem is back. Plastic panel first broke with seat shift, one week after purchase, 10/06/03. It was in repair four times, with the entire seat having been swapped out with that of a loaner car. At six months, I have approx. 2800 miles, and the seat shift is getting gradually worse again.
I have a 2004 Acura TSX. It has a power drivers seat. Whenever I brake a little harder than normal or when I brake suddenly, the drivers seat moves forward. I talked to my local Acura dealer and they said this is normal. I do not consider a seat that moves forward when you brake to be safe.
Driver's seat moves forward and backward during acceleration and braking. Also, moves from side to side while cornering. Dealer noted the following "test drove vehicle. Duplicated concern. As of this moment, Acura is still working on solution to concern. No corrections made at this time".
Electric drivers seat shifts 1 to 2 inches forward durring moderate to hard breaking. I have already brought the car in one time to fix it. It was fine for about two months, but the problem has returned. It feels very unsafe.
Power driver's seat shifts during hard breaking/acceleration. Seat shifts forward and back less than an inch. This can be troublesome when accelerating and it causes my foot to slip off of the clutch and jump suddenly. Could cause me to involuntarily slam into the car in front of me. I have had multiple dealers look at this and they have all told me it is because of the way the seat was designed and they are unable to fix it. A moving seat does not feel safe.
When braking, the driver's seat slides forward (about 1/4 of an inch). This has been a constant problem since the vehicle was new. The dealer has looked at the problem and stated that it is within normal specifications.
Seat complaints in other TSX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2004 Acura TSX?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the seats of the 2004 Acura TSX, 15% of the model year's 142 complaints. The component named most often is front assembly › power adjust (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Acura TSX seat problems?
No. NHTSA lists no seats recall for the 2004 Acura TSX, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Acura TSX seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 5,000 miles, and 93% before 25,000 miles.
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.