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2009 Acura TSX

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
91
Latest May 2, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Jun 27, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7
7 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 91 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Acura TSX, most frequently naming the airbags, brakes and engine categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 49 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags2724.8%
  • Brakes2422.0%
  • Engine2321.1%
  • Body & structure76.4%
  • Electrical54.6%
  • Steering43.7%
  • Powertrain (other)43.7%
  • Visibility32.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V502000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jun 27, 2019
9,555 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number F5F, Q5EView on NHTSA.gov
19V378000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

May 16, 2019
19,138 units potentially affected
The defect: 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. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
The risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number M4O, P4R, T4Q, W4PView on NHTSA.gov
18V042000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 9, 2018
691,726 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number B0K, L0JView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 91
Driver assistance
Filed May 2, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Acura TSX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, after which the vehicle entered LIMP Mode and the throttle failed to respond. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway to restart the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a persistent failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,000.

NHTSA ID
11586658
Incident
May 2, 2024
Mileage
143,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 10, 2023

The check engine light came on and the “check transmission” warning sign came on all of a sudden one day. I started feeling hard ups/downs in gears from 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 (and also in reverse order of both these sequences). Its running rough and don’t feel safe driving the car.

NHTSA ID
11543723
Incident
Aug 25, 2023
Airbags
Filed Nov 30, 2021

Air Bag light shows on dash but when driving the air bad light flashes off and on. It happens often

NHTSA ID
11442190
Incident
Jul 30, 2021
Steering
Filed Aug 11, 2021

I was driving car to work and when I was making a turn my car steering wheel stop working it was so hard to maneuver I almost crashed I took it to the shop and they asked to call the acura dealer before making repairs because this car had reports on the steering wheel malfunction I called and they said that this car wasn't cover by the warranty but this could off got me kill now the acura dealer is asking me for 3000 dollars to fix it when is a car factory default

NHTSA ID
11428688
Incident
Aug 8, 2021
Seat belts
Filed Sep 4, 2020

THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT STOPPED CATCHING BECAUSE OF THE PLASTIC CAP COVERING THE MECHANISM CAME LOOSE. THE CAP HOLDS WITH LITTLE PLASTIC PEGS WHICH AREN'T VERY STRONG AND KEEP POPPING OUT. I FIXED IT BY REPLACING ONE WITH A SCREW BUT IT SHOULD BE MANUFACTURED MORE SECURELY TO BEGIN WITH. THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT IS A MAJOR PART OF VEHICLE SAFETY AND SHOULD BE MADE MORE STURDY THAN IT IS. THIS HAPPENED WITH REGULAR USE OF THE SEAT BELT AND NOT DURING ANY ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11353184
Incident
Feb 20, 2018
Mileage
80,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 16, 2020

VEHICLE HAS THROWN AN ENGINE CODE DUE TO EXCESS OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO STICKY PISTON RINGS, ADVANCEMENT IN TIMING AND VVT ADVANCEMENTS. DUE TO THIS ENGINE CODE BEING THROWN, THE CAR DEACTIVATES VSA AND ALSO THROWS AN EMISSION CONTROL LIGHT. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO ENTER A STATE WHERE IT ADVANCES THE RPM'S AT IDLE BY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT AND BURNS MORE FUEL. WHEN LEAVING THE CAR IN DRIVE BUT AT A STOP, THE CAR WILL QUICKLY ACCELERATE NEARLY TO 30 MPH ON A FLAT SURFACE. IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR, THE DRIVER MUST EXCESSIVELY ENGAGE THE BRAKES. ACURA TECHNICIANS HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IS DUE TO THE PISTON SEALS BEING FAULTY, CAUSING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND LOOSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO BECOME OUT OF SYNC. ENGINE WILL THEN ENTER A "LIMP" MODE WHERE CAR WILL IDLE HIGHER, BURN MORE FUEL.

NHTSA ID
11299804
Incident
Jan 10, 2020
Mileage
177,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 9, 2019

I AM HAVING TO PUT 2-3 QUARTS OF OIL IN MY VEHICLE ONCE A MONTH. I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP LAST YEAR AND THEY STARTED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE EXACT ISSUE THAT I'M HAVING BUT MY VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL IS FOR DEPOSITS BUILDING UP IN THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSE OIL TO BE BURNED MORE DURING ACCELERATION AND THE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO REPLACE THE PISTONS ON THE ENGINE AND OTHER VARIOUS ENGINE PARTS. PLEASE REFERENCE RECALL INFORMATION TSB #B13-006 NHTSA# 10152441

NHTSA ID
11287886
Incident
Dec 1, 2016
Engine
Filed Oct 18, 2019

MY OIL LIGHT KEEP COMING ON EVERY 30% AFTER NEW OIL CHANGE.

NHTSA ID
11269304
Incident
Oct 17, 2019

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B18-022

AIR BAGS

Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.

B23040A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service News - The navigation clock and date are incorrect. This is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in rollover of internal chip memory. The rollover occurred on January 1, 2022 at 12:00AM local time

B21120A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ServiceNews Article - The clock shows the incorrect time. This issue is due to a limited GPS receiver capacity resulting in "rollover" of the internal chip memory; the "rollover" will occur on January 1, 2022, at 12:00AM local time. As a result, the navigation date and time will be incorrect.

BPaS02262021905

SERVICE BRAKES

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014 TLs, TSXs & TSX Wagons with a client complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

BPaS02102021903

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014 TLs, TSXs & TSX Wagons with a client complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

BPaS01222021905

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014 TLs, TSXs & TSX Wagons with a client complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understand the cause of this condition, AHM would like to collect specific parts from the vehicle prior to you attempting a repair of any kind.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Acura TSX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014731—
2013334155.5
20121336155.4
2011457050.9
2010637052.6
2009Viewing916051.0
2008343050.3
2007223048.5
2006504048.4
2005514051.9
20041424051.2

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.