2004 Acura TSX Electrical Problems

While driving the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly shutoff and powered on again. After do some diagnostics we determined is was the ECU/ECM. The ECM has corrosion on the top which caused salty water to eat through the lid. Doing some research this vehicle make and model has recall but doesn’t show up under my vin. I’ve contacted the manufacturer which was willing to help but the dealership seems to not want to help since no recall was under the vin so the manufacturer “HONDA” has closed the case but hasn’t given me any answer to why. I’m in contact again with the manufacturer waiting for a call back hopefully today 4-21-26

NHTSA ID

11732723

Incident

Mar 5, 2026

The contact owns a 2004 Acura TSX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal clicking sound that was coming from the instrument cluster. The contact stated that upon decelerating to come to a stop, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that while the vehicle was rolling, the contact shifted to neutral(N), restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure had been a recurring failure. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in HTSA Campaign Number: 13V093000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System), which the contact related to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however, the vehicle failed to start after the repair. The dealer informed the contact that he needed to pay a fee for diagnostic test and the repair out-of-pocket. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 335,000.

NHTSA ID

11655508

Incident

Jan 18, 2025

Mileage

335,000 mi

was leaving my and steering wheel locked up.

NHTSA ID

11457074

Incident

Mar 15, 2022

This vehicle was taken in for a recall for a corrosive ECM. 1 hour prior to taking this vehicle in my assigned service writer gave me a call, your vehicle is ready for pick up. I was advised due to their visual inspection of the ECM( Electronic control module)(electrical computer) not having corrosion, they will not change the unit but they have decided to replace the cover on the unit. I've filed a concerning complaint to Acura headquarters due to my knowledge of cars to have it on file what was told to me before receiving the vehicle. Due to my knowledge a faulty ECM can trigger numerous faults within the vehicles performance.Prior to bringing the vehicle to the dealership, I've been experiencing heavy misfires, poor radio connection, no interior lights and triggered headlights. I've replaced the necessary mechanics that would normal be the cause of these issues and the problem was still existing. The last option was the ECM,which fueled my search of a recall on these models for a faulty ECM. A few weeks later I've contacted another dealership in hopes they would take care of the problem, the representative was polite and reassured me the recall was suppose to be replaced with a new unit under manufacturer policy. However this could not be done because the previous dealer has marked the vehicle as a completed task. So I filed another complaint and have not received any further notice regarding my concern. A few weeks later I had the vehicle diagnosed and realized the ECM was never replaced nor removed out of the vehicle for inspection. Pictures and video where taken of this unit,as you can see the build up of dirt and dust from its original installment back in 2004. Later reading the review of that specific dealership, I've learned their has been numerous complaints regarding poor service at that locations service department.

NHTSA ID

11442376

Incident

Oct 13, 2021

My headlights always flicker and turn off everytime i drive within 5 minutes of driving. it gets really bad when i drive in cold/wet weather and i’ve replaced the bulbs a good 5 times. Something is wrong with my suspension i think? my VSC and warning light always automatically come and stay on and my car makes a noise everytime i turn/reverse. My car continues to start smoking when i drive, especifically on hot days and multiple mechanics have said i have a severe oil leak/power steering leak and i’ve gone to 3 within the last 6 months. So i’m not sure what to do and i seen the recalls on all of the things i listed above for my model of car just not specifically for my vin number. please help.

NHTSA ID

11430707

Incident

Aug 26, 2021

I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY CAR A NUMBER OF TIMES AND ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS BEEN RAINING MY CAR WOULD TURN OFF AND THE LIGHTS WOULD START FLASHING AND THE VSA CONTROL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. IT SCARED THE LIFE OUT OF ME. ITS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY A FEW TIMES AND REGULAR DRIVING ON THE ROADS. I HAVE ALSO BEEN DRIVING AND DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ACCELERATOR SEEMED TO STAY PRESSED DOWN. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THERE MUST BE ELECTRICAL ISSUES, ALSO MY RADIO TENDS TO STOP WORKING AND THEN COMES ON RANDOMLY WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. I HAVE ASKED HONDA BEFORE AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS. THERE SEEMS TO MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CONNECTED TO THE VSA. I ALSO FOUND AT TIMES THE CARPETS WET IN THE FRONT AND THE CAR DOESN'T LEAK THAT I KNOW OF. I WISH ACURA WOULD HONOR THEIR RECALLS AND NOT PUT PEOPLES LIVES IN DANGER. IF SOMETHING DOES HAPPEN. I WANT IT DOCUMENTED AND THERE WILL BE ACTION TAKEN IF THEY DO NOT FIX MY ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11390747

Incident

Dec 30, 2020

WHEN I DRIVING THE CAR, EITHER STREET OR HIGHWAY , THE CAR SLOWS DOWN OR LOSE HORSEPOWER. I COULD BE DOING 60 ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR STALLS ON IT'S OWN ALMOST SHUTTING DOWN.

NHTSA ID

11323008

Incident

Apr 29, 2020

Mileage

1,220,086 mi

ON 11/14/2019 TOOK MY CAR INTO BRADSHAW ACURA DEALER SHIP FOR THE ECM/ PCM CORROSIN RECALL #13-014 AND THEY REFUSE TO DUE THE RECALL EVEN THO MY ECU HAS CORROSIN ON IT AND EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR CORY THAT I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT STALLED OUT. TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND EVERTING IS IN GOOD AND WORKING CONDITION BUT WHEN HE LOOKED AT THE ECU AND SAW ALL THE CORROSION. ON IT HE SAID THIS HAS TO BE THE PROBLEM AND I TOLD THE SERVICE ADVISOR THIS AND THEY REFUSE TO DO THE RECALL AND REPLACE THE PCM

NHTSA ID

11280411

Incident

Nov 14, 2019

Mileage

175,000 mi

THE PROBLEM: WHEN IT IS HOT THE CAR START LOSING POWER, AND VSA LIGHT COMES UP. THEN THE GAUGE CLUSTER START DOING INTERMITTENT SHUTDOWNS OF THE RPM AND SPEEDOMETER GAUGES. ADDITIONAL TO THAT, THE A/C SHUT DOWN AND BLOW HOT AIR. ACURA DIAGNOSTIC: JOHN EAGLE ACURA HAD THE CAR TO CHECK THE PROBLEM. DURING THE TEST IN HOT TEMPERATURE, THEY FOUND THERE IS A PROBLEM OF ECU COMMUNICATION IN THE F-CAN. THERE ARE 3 MAIN THINGS THAT COMMUNICATE WITH ECU THOUGH THE F-CAN: ONE IS THE GAUGE CLUSTER WHICH I REPLACED, THE SECOND WAS THE VSA MODULATOR WHICH WAS DISCONNECTED TO TEST, AND THE THIRD ONE WAS THE RADIO SYSTEM THAT WAS ALSO DISCONNECTED, AND THE RESULTS WERE THE SAME (DAMAGED). ACCORDING TO ACURA ENGINEERS, AFTER PROCEEDING WITH ALL THESE STEPS THE SOLUTION IS REPLACING ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU). ACURA FAKE RECALL: LAST DECEMBER I TOOK MY CAR TO AN ACURA DEALER BECAUSE THERE WAS A BULLETIN FOR A RECALL FOR ACURA TSX; THIS RECALL WAS ABOUT ECU CORROSION AND IT SPECIFICALLY SAY THAT IT IS GOING TO BE DETAILED CHECKED AND TESTED AND IF ANY PROBLEM WAS PRESENTED IT COULD ALSO BE REPLACED WITHOUT NO COST. WELL, WHAT THEY DID WAS PUT A PIECE OF PLASTIC COVER ON TOP OF THE ECU TO COVER THE CORROSION THAT THE ECU ALREADY HAD, AND 4 MONTH LATER THESE PROBLEMS COME UP. THEREFORE, I CALLED ACURA AND ASK THEM TO MAKE A FOLLOW UP OF THIS RECALL AND WHAT THEY ANSWER WAS THAT THE RECALL WAS ALREADY DONE, AND THEY CANNOT DO THE RECALL TWICE AND THAT THEY FEEL REALLY SORRY. CONCLUSION: ACURA DO NOT WANT TO ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR PROBLEMS AND THEY WANT TO STILL HIDING PROBLEMS THAT THEY HAVE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED ACURA DIAGNOSTIC. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER TO AVOID OTHER PERSONS GETTING THIS HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE.

NHTSA ID

11115452

Incident

Apr 22, 2018

Mileage

140,000 mi

CENTER STACK HVAC LIGHTS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. I'VE READ COUNTLESS THREADS & FORUMS THAT STATE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE.IT DOES POSE A SAFETY ISSUE, I'M NOT SURE WHY THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET. THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED, HOWEVER, NO ONE WAS NOTIFIED & I PURCHASED THIS CAR AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD EXPIRED FOR THE CENTER CONSOLE LIGHTS. THEY STOPPED WORKING AT 106K MILES. IN THE DAYTIME OR DARK YOU CANNOT READ THE CLIMATE CONTROL OR RADIO CONTROL OR CLOCK DISPLAY. YOU CONSTANTLY FIDGET IN THE DARK TRYING TO SEE IF YOU'RE PRESSING THE PROPER BUTTON TO DEFROST WINDOWS OR TURN THE HEAT OR AIR ON. TAKING YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD TO FIDGET WITH YOUR BROKEN RADIO IS THE SAME THING AS TAKING YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR A CELL PHONE. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL YET? ONLY OPTION IS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET $1200 FOR A KNOWN FAULT IN THEIR DESIGN. PART TO REPLACE YOURSELF HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. RECALL NEEDED.

NHTSA ID

10895002

Incident

Jul 13, 2016

Mileage

106,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TSX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT AND POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V093000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ID

10695070

Incident

Jan 15, 2015

Mileage

108,000 mi

IT WAS 930 AT NIGHT I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME TO DROP OFF GOING ON VACATION ..MY CAR STARTED STALLING OUT AND ALL LIGHTS WENT OUT.. AS I BRAKE MY CAR JUMPED 3 TO 5 FEET.. IT WAS LIKE THE BRAKES SURGED .. LIGHTS FLASHING .. VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF I WOULD OF BEEN ON MY WAY TO WORK ON FREEWAY I COULD OF BEEN IN A DANGEROUS ACCIDENT.. THE CAR DID NOT STOP WHEN APPLIED THE BRAKE INSTEAD IT ACTED LIKE I WAS PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR... I HAD TO SHUT CAR OUT PUT IN NEUTRAL AND HAVE IT PUSHED IN MY GARAGE TO PREVENT GOING THROUGH WALL... I NEVER HEARD OF A ALTERNATOR DOING THIS.. MY CAR WAS JUST AT DEALERSHIP APROX 3 WKS BEFORE THAT FOR A RECALL .. (STALLING ) THEY SAID IT WAS NOT RELATED TO THAT... *TR

NHTSA ID

10607386

Incident

Jun 9, 2014

CENTER STACK LIGHTS OUT (RADIO, HEATER/AC UNIT) ACCORDING TO INTERNET RESEARCH MANY OTHER 2004 AND 2005 TSX OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH ACURA HAD ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN, AND SUPPOSEDLY INCREASED WARRANTY PERIOD TO 100K OR 7 YEARS, THERE WAS NO NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS. MY 2004 TSX BEGUN EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AT 120K SO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULDN'T HAVE HELPED CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM AFTER 100K MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10588530

Incident

May 15, 2014

Mileage

130,000 mi

INTERIOR LIGHTING FOR RADIO AND TEMP CONTROL AND CLOCK SOME TIME THE WHOLE PANEL GOES OFF BUT CONTROL LIGHTS FOR THE TEMPERATURE AND THE RADIO BUTTON LIGHTS HAVE NEVER CAME BACK ON SINCE THEY WENT OFF A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WE WERE TOLD THIS WAS A RECALL FOR THIS CAR BUT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT OR ACKNOWLEDGE A RECALL THIS COULD EASILY BE A SAFETY ISSUE WILL DRIVING AT NIGHT AND IS VERY FRUSTRATING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10588172

Incident

Nov 6, 2012

Mileage

110,000 mi

THE CONSOLE LIGHTS (LIGHTS IN THE CENTER) WENT OUT IN 2009, WHICH IS A SAFETY CONCERN AS YOU NEED TO ATTEMPT TO READ THE CONTROLS VIA THE OVERHEAD LIGHT WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A HUGE DISTRACTION. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY WANTED $150 JUST TO DIAGNOSIS IT. RECENTLY WE LEARNED THAT ACURA EXTENDED WARRANTY SOME YEARS BACK TO FIX IT HOWEVER WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED (WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS). NOW WE HAVE PASSED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY TIME (7 YEARS). WE FEEL IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE ISSUE BY ACURA AND THAT AS SUCH ACURA SHOULD STILL BE LIABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID

10554202

Incident

Feb 18, 2009

Mileage

47,000 mi

CENTER DASHBOARD LIGHTS / CLIMATE CONTROL LIGHTS BLINKS AND GOES OFF AND STAYS OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10510004

Incident

Apr 10, 2013

Mileage

107,000 mi

HID BULB CANNOT BE REPLACED. MOISTURE IN THE HOUSING UNIT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10493688

Incident

Oct 31, 2012

Mileage

105,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTING IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE CENTER CONSOLE FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, EVERY SINGLE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10486249

Incident

Nov 27, 2012

Mileage

100,000 mi

FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH ABOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME. HEARD A SQUEAKY SOUND AROUND THE STEARING WHEEL MINUTES EARLIER. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT COMPONENET FAILED BUT HAD A RECALL SOMETIME AGO THAT WAS REPAIRED. HAD OIL CHANGE EXACTLY A WEEK EARLIER. NO BODY INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10423784

Incident

Sep 3, 2011

Mileage

134,000 mi

CENTRE STACK LIGHTS OUT (RADIO, HEATER/AC UNIT) ACCORDING TO INTERNET RESEARCH MANY OTHER 2004 AND 2005 TSX OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE PRINTED CIRCUT BOARD. ALTHOUGH ACURA HAD ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN, AND SUPPOSEDLY INCREASED WARRENTY PERIOD FTO 100K OR 7 YEARS, THERE WAS NO NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS. MY 2004 TSX BEGUN EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM AT 123K, SO I'M OUT OF WARRANTY, AND WILL MOST LIKLY HAVE TO FORK OVER $2,400 TO HAVE THE CENTER STACK REPLACED. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND FORCE ACURA TO REPLACE FOR FREE AS THE PROBELM APPEARS TO PRESENT ITSELF SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10372138

Incident

Dec 12, 2010

Mileage

120,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY 2004 ACURA TSX CAR IN JAN 2008 A FEW MONTHS LATER AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE INTERIOR LIGHTING OF MY RADIO AND A/C BUTTONS WERE NOT TURNING ON ANYMORE MY WARRANTY WAS ALREADY OVER AND EVER SINCE I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION OR A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10364052

Incident

Apr 1, 2008

Mileage

74,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND BEGIN EXHIBITING A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THREE YEARS PRIOR AT 62,000 MILES. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIO HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE AIR CONDITIONER ALSO NEEDED REPLACING FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ID

10363671

Incident

Jan 15, 2007

Mileage

62,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TSX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VSC AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE THEN LOST SOME POWER SO THE CONTACT PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED BUT THE CHECK ENGINE STAYED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICEL WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. 10 DAYS LATER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE APP SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 96,000. UPDATED 03/31/11

NHTSA ID

10358408

Incident

Sep 10, 2010

Mileage

96,000 mi

2004 ACURA TSX RADIO AND HEATER CONSOLE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN 2009. *TR

NHTSA ID

10343533

Incident

Jun 1, 2009

Mileage

55,000 mi

BACKLIGHTING OF RADIO AND HVAC BUTTONS NO LONGER WORKS. THIS ACTUALLY BECAME AN ISSUE AND WAS CHECKED/DIAGNOSED BY THE ACURA DEALER ON MARCH 4, 2006. AT THAT TIME THEY INDICATED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (MILEAGE=65,693) AND THE OWNER CHOSE NOT TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE SINCE IT WAS NOT COVERED. ACURA SUBSEQUENTLY ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE FAULTY PCB TO 100,000 MILES. HOWEVER, THEY STILL CLAIM MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT IS NOW BEYOND THAT 100,000 MILE LIMIT. THIS, EVEN AFTER THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM INITIALLY AT WELL UNDER THE 100,000 MILE LIMIT OF THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY CLAIM THIS IS BECAUSE I AM THE SECOND OWNER, BUT THAT WARRANTY STAYS WITH THE CAR, NOT THE OWNER AND THIS HAS BECOME A REAL SAFETY ISSUE FOR OUR TEENAGE SON WHO TAKES HIS EYES OFF THE ROAD FAR TOO LONG TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT BUTTON ON THAT UNLIT CONSOLE.

NHTSA ID

10322870

Incident

Mar 4, 2006

Mileage

65,693 mi