RoadVitals

2006 Acura TSX Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest Jan 10, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
48%
of 50 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Acura TSX submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Steering
Filed Jan 10, 2025

The power steering is leaking constantly as soon as u pour it in the car drive it 2 miles all leaks out and have to refill in order for the power steering to work correctly and there is a recall for it on this vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11635200
Incident
Dec 31, 2024
Steering
Filed Oct 30, 2023

Power steering rack & pinion always leaks on these vehicles. It is possible to lose all pressure in system and for vehicle to lose control while on the road. Acura is aware of the issue on 04-08 TSX models but refuses to issue a recall. On my personal vehicle, the driver's side seal is leaking.

NHTSA ID
11552692
Incident
Oct 30, 2023
Steering
Filed Apr 21, 2023

THE CAR IS ABOUT TO NEED THE STEERING RACK REPLACED FOR THE 3RD TIME SINCE AUGUST OF 2021. THE POWER STEERING FLUID GETS LOW AND NEEDS TO BE REFILLED EVERY FEW MONTHS. STEERING RACK EVENTUALLY SPRINGS LEAK EVERY SINGLE TIME. ALREADY HAD HOSE REPLACED FROM RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11518237
Incident
Apr 18, 2023
AirbagsSteering
Filed Jun 11, 2020

MY POWER STEERING HOSES HAVE BEEN LEAKING AND NOW THERE'S FLUID DOWN UNDER THE MOTOR AND UNDER THE CAR.. THE CAR WILL NOT HOLD POWER STEERING FLUID BUT FOR ONE DAY AND MY CAR IS NOW BECOME UNDRIVABLE. I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICE AND STARTED LOOKING ONLINE AND SAW THAT ACTUALLY I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOW IT'S GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE IT'S WORSE THAN JUST THE HOSES. I'VE TRIED TO GET IT FIXED AND THEY SAY NO YOU'RE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL I HAVE ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT WERE STATED AND NOW IT'S BECOME EXACERBATED. I NEED HELP IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ID
11328414
Incident
Dec 31, 2019
Mileage
80,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 30, 2019

POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO, REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTER, ALTERNATOR FAILED AND I WAS TOLD THIS WAS BECAUSE OF BEING SATURATED WITH THE FLUID FROM PREVIOUS FAILURE. NOW THIS... WIFE WAS DRIVING CAR HOME WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. SUDDENLY THE CAR BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD 'WOBBLE.' THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION BUT MY WIFE MADE IT HOME SLOWLY. I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED POWER STEERING FLUID AND RESERVOIR AND IT WAS LOW. FILLED IT UP WITH LEFTOVER HONDA FLUID AND LEAKED IMMEDIATELY FROM THE DRIVER RUBBER BOOT NEAR RACK AND PINION. RACK AND PINION NOW NEEDS REPLACEMENT FROM A MASSIVE LEAK. THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND PLACING MANY IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11228463
Incident
Jun 23, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 27, 2019

I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING RACK DUE TO A MAJOR LEAK OF FLUID TO THE POINT I COULDN'T MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. THANK GOD IT HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER I GOT HOME FROM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. JUST WHEN I PULLED TO PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY AND FOUND OUT THE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED AND EMPTY. I ADDED NEW POWER STEERING FLUID AND WITHIN AN HOUR IT LEAKED ALL OUT. TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP A FEW DAYS LATER DUE TO THE HOLIDAYS AND FOUND OUT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE BREAKDOWN OF THE SEAL ON BOTH SIDES. A WEEK BEFORE THIS HAPPENED, I TOOK MY CAR ON A 1200 MILES ROAD TRIP. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY THAT IT DIDN'T BREAK DOWN WHILE I'M DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AS THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. CONTACTED ACURA CLIENT SERVICE MANAGER AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE POWER STEERING BUT IT WAS FOR A DIFFERENT PART, A HOSE, AND THAT MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR A DIFFERENT PART WOULD NOT BE COVERED. EVEN THOUGH IN MY OPINION THIS IS THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE FROM THE SAME COMPONENT, THE POWER STEERING. I QUESTIONED THE LOGIC OF THE MANAGER'S REASON FOR DENIAL AS THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE SAFETY OF THE PERSON DRIVING THE VEHICLE SHOULD THE POWER STEERING FAILS, REGARDLESS OF WHICH PART WITHIN THAT COMPONENT WAS RECALLED. UNFORTUNATELY, SHE DIDN'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS AND THE GRAVITY OF THIS PROBLEM. THEREFORE, I AM HERE WRITING THIS COMPLAINT SO HOPEFULLY, SOMEONE CAN UNDERSTAND AND RELATE TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN MY CASE.

NHTSA ID
11172364
Incident
Dec 29, 2018
Mileage
156,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 26, 2018

RACK AND PINION (STEERING RACK) LEAKING. MULTIPLE ACURA TSX FROM 2004-2008 WILL MOST LIKELY RUN INTO THIS PROBLEM. SEEN A FEW COMPLAINTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA FROM VARIOUS ACURA TSX OWNERS FROM 2004-2008 MODELS. VERY HIGH COST TO REPLACE AND DANGEROUS IF STEERING RACK FAILS. BOUGHT FROM DEALERSHIP A FEW MONTHS BACK AT 111K MILES, NOW AT 115K ONLY.

NHTSA ID
11154129
Incident
Oct 14, 2018
Mileage
115,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 14, 2017

THE POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKS, AND I HAVE TO REPLACE IT. MY BROTHER ALSO HAS A 2004 ACURA TSX AND HIS HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. IT LEAKS FROM THE POWER STEERING. I BELIEVE THIS IS A FAULTY ON MOST TSXS.

NHTSA ID
11015013
Incident
Aug 13, 2017
Steering
Filed May 10, 2017

FIRST THE POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKED AND WAS REPLACED. NOW I'M TOLD THE RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED

NHTSA ID
10984705
Incident
May 10, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 3, 2016

THE MORNING OF THURSDAY JUNE 30TH 2016 I TUNED THE CAR ON AND HAD AN ODD SOUND THAT EVEN WHEN I TURNED OR DROVE IT SOUNDED LIKE A BUS! THE STEERING WAS HARD YET I STILL MANAGED TO GET TO WORK AND HOME SAFELY. MY HUSBAND SAID THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS DEPLETED AND ADDED FLUID. I THEN TOOK IT TO WORK AND WAS RUNNING OK NO MORE SOUNDS AND I WAS CONTENT. THAT AFTERNOON THOUGH I STARTED UP AGAIN AND THEN SAW THE TRAIL OF FLUID RUNNING DOWN FROM UNDER THE CAR. THE NOISE AND STIFFNESS OF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BACK. NEEDLESS TO SAY I ALMOST COULDN'T MAKE A TURN TO GET INTO MY HOME.

NHTSA ID
10882371
Incident
Jun 30, 2016
Steering
Filed May 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA TSX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM BOTH SIDES AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ID
10870812
Incident
May 20, 2016
Mileage
95,000 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed May 12, 2016

POWER STEERING HAS BEEN AFFECTED DUE TO DEFECTIVE RACK AND PINION. CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND POSES A SAFETY ISSUE ON HIGHWAY. STEERING HAS ALSO LOCKED UP DUE TO THE POWER STEERING LEAK WHILE DRIVING. A VERY FRIGHTENING SITUATION WHEN GOING FAXT SPEEDS. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG STARTED CRACKING A FEW YEARS AGO AND AM QUESTIONING WEATHER IT WOULD DEPLOY IN A COLLISION.

NHTSA ID
10864651
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed May 3, 2016

FIRST OFF I AM UNABLE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK MY PASSENGER DOOR USING THE SWITCHES OR THE REMOTE KEY FOB ON MY 2006 ACURA TSX. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE NETS I SEE THAT THIS DOESN'T JUST APPLY TO ME AND THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE OTHERS HAVE HAD. THE DEALER STATED IT IS THE ACTUATOR. SECONDLY I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH WHAT THE DEALER SERVICE STATED IS A RACK IN PINION ISSUE. THEY SAY IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POWER STEERING SEEPING/LEAKING AND THAT THIS WOULD BE THE REASON FOR STEERING PROBLEMS. AGAIN ON NHTSA THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. I NOTICE VIBRATION AND SLIGHT PULLING TO RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AND DROPS OF LUBRICANT IN MY GARAGE. WHEN I REACH EXCESS SPEEDS OF 55 I HAVE THE PULLING AND VIBRATION. I NOW MAINLY TAKE SIDE STREETS DUE TO THE HAZARD AND NO FUNDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10862687
Incident
Apr 16, 2016
Mileage
220,348 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 24, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA TSX. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP AROUND THE HOSES LEAKED ALL OVER THE ALTERNATOR AND CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ID
10851492
Incident
Mar 3, 2016
Mileage
144,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 7, 2016

AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR FROM A USED DEALER. THE STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN AS I WAS LEAVING A LOCAL RETAILERS PARKING LOT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHO ASSISTED IN GETTING THE POWER STEERING FIXED AND NOW THE CAR IS STARTING TO DO IT AGAIN. THE STEERING IS MAKING FUNNY NOISES AND NOW IS BECOMING HARD TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. I FEAR THE NEED TO TAKE IT TO THE AUTO SHOP AGAIN. THIS IS TERRIBLE!

NHTSA ID
10818591
Incident
Nov 20, 2015
Mileage
137,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Sep 9, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V174000 (STEERING) HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THREE SEPARATE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE STEERING HOSE, WATER PUMP HOSE, AND SERPENTINE BOLT HAD ALL MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO THE HEAT AND LEAKING OF THE STEERING HOSE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,169.

NHTSA ID
10762562
Incident
Apr 2, 2014
Mileage
126,169 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 5, 2015

I STARTED MY ACURA TSX 2006 AS USUAL AND WENT TO THE STORE 3 MILES AWAY BUT WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AFTER THE STORE TO GO HOME FIRST I HEARD A NOISE AND AFTER THAT IT BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT. I WAS LUCKY TO GET HOME WITHOUT ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10761813
Incident
Sep 5, 2015
Mileage
90,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 23, 2015

DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 35 MILES FROM HOME, AS I WAS PARKING HEARD A NOISE WHILE STEERING LEFT AND RIGHT. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, THE STEERING WAS HARD. DROVE IT HOME BY THE TIME I GOT HOME THE STEERING WAS NO LONGER WORKING. CHECKED STEERING FLUID.NO MORE FLUID. TOTALLY DRY. BROUGHT IT TO THE MIDAS AND AND TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE STEERING RACK IS LEAKING, $3000.00 TO REPAIR. THEY SAID THE RUBBERS ON RACK WENT BAD. A FEW PEOPLE ( MECHANICS) THAT SAID THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR A 2006. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE WITH ACURA 2006 CARS.

NHTSA ID
10758661
Incident
Aug 20, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 3, 2013

POWER STEERING RACK FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY. CAR DEVELOPED A NOISE WITHOUT ANY WARNING, AND THE STEERING BECAME HARD TO TURN. MADE IT TO THE REPAIR CENTER (DEALERSHIP) WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REALLY HARD TO TURN BY THE TIME I GOT THERE (WITH A DRIVE NO LONGER THAN 10 MILES). LOOKING AT ONLINE FORUMS, IT APPEARS THAT AN ABNORMAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE NEEDED POWER STEERING RACKS BETWEEN 90K-130K MILES DUE TO LEAKS. THIS APPEARS ABNORMAL, AS MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT A RACK SHOULD LAST FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THIS MAKES ME WONDER IF IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE POWER STEERING LEAK TSB THAT ACURA HAS FOR THESE CARS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10538548
Incident
Sep 3, 2013
Mileage
119,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 15, 2012

STARTED THE CAR PULLED OFF AT SLOW SPEED(15-20). CAR STARTED MAKING NOISES ARE I TURNED THE CORNER. APPEARED TO BE NOISES MADE FOR POWER STEERING. PARKED THE CAR UP PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN AND THE NOISE STOP. DRIVING AGAIN THE NOISE APPEARED AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC FOUND OUT THAT THE RACK AND PINION WENT BAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10480107
Incident
Oct 10, 2012
Mileage
90,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 31, 2011

2006 TSX. CONSUMER STATES POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING WAS MALFUNCTIONING SIGNIFICANTLY AND HE COULD HARDLY DRIVE THE VEHICLE. LATER IN THE EVENING, THERE WAS LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM ACURA REGARDING A SAFETY RECALL RELATING TO A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. THE CONSUMER IS NOW SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR $ 375.90 FOR THE REPAIRS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10423457
Incident
Jul 13, 2011
Steering
Filed May 3, 2010

ONGOING LEAK OF POWER STEERING FUEL WHICH CAUSED SMOKE AND ODOR OF BURNING. POWER STEERING FLUID WOULD DRAIN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FREQUENTLY. UPON INSPECTION BY DEALER, POWER STEERING HOSE WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT, THIS WAS COMPLETED AT DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10328569
Incident
Dec 20, 2009
Mileage
78,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 15, 2009

GOING AROUND A TURN MY VALET KEY ON MY KEY RING WAS LODGED INTO A SCREW HOLE IN MY STEERING WHEEL CAUSING MY KEY TO COME OUT OF MY IGNITION AND TURN OFF MY CAR. I WAS ABOUT TO GO INTO A CURB BUT I WAS ABLE TO USE MY BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10276898
Incident
Jul 14, 2009
Steering
Filed Oct 21, 2008

MY VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL MAKES A MOANING NOISE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS LEFT OR RIGHT A LOW SPEEDS. THE ACURA DEALER REPLACED THE CABLE REEL INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL HUB BUT THE NOISE CONTINUES. I AM AFRAID THIS NOISE IS AN INDICATION THAT SOMETHING INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL WEAR OUT EVENTUALLY AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10246211
Incident
Jun 1, 2006
Mileage
13,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .