RoadVitals

2011 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.
45
Latest Jul 23, 2025
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.
7
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.
4
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 45 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Acura TSX, most frequently naming the steering, airbags and brakes categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 51 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

  • Steering1834.6%
  • Airbags1121.2%
  • Brakes713.5%
  • Engine47.7%
  • Electrical35.8%
  • Body & structure23.8%
  • Driver assistance23.8%
  • Fuel system23.8%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

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

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

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

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Sep 27, 2018
1,355,406 units potentially affected
The defect: 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, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the 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. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag 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 November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)Manufacturer number M2J, S2KView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Airbags
Filed Jul 23, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Acura TSX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V661000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact attempted to contact the dealer; however, the contact was unable to speak with a representative. The manufacturer was contacted; however, the contact was only able to reach an automated system that stated there was no recall. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11675544
Incident
Sep 27, 2018
Steering
Filed Jan 6, 2025

Power steering system malfunction. Warning light went on with no other warning and rendered vehicle undrivable due to no steering function

NHTSA ID
11634468
Incident
Dec 30, 2024
Brakes
Filed Nov 2, 2024

VSA MODULATOR failed, breaks suddenly goes all the way down will not stop, this is suddenly happened while on the road.

NHTSA ID
11623281
Incident
Apr 17, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Jul 29, 2021

While driving on highway driver side windshield trim panel flew off into traffic causing a car to swerve at highway speed. Included with the genuine Acura replacement part (# 73162-tl2-305zd) was service bulletin # 09-030 which states that the glue needs to be replaced. I talked to Acura of Wappingers service and parts department and Acura of America regarding this issue. All parties denied replacing the glue on the clips. Some of the clips are very out of place due to what I believe is the glue softening in the sun. I truly believe this is a safety hazard because of the potential of this panel hits a pedestrian or car and creating an accident with potential injury or death. Car has been in 0 accidents. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.

NHTSA ID
11426993
Incident
Apr 1, 2020
Steering
Filed Jul 11, 2021

While driving my 2011 Acura TSX wagon on 10 July 2021, the power steering failure indicator light came on while crossing a bridge and my power steering immediately failed. After the vehicle was towed home, I searched the manual and found there is no power steering reservoir to check for fluid. So I researched YouTube and found that this power steering has been a major problem with this vehicle. This is extremely dangerous and as I was on a bridge the danger was even greater as I could not pull over. I managed to safely exit but could not pull into a parking lot as there was not enough distance to keep the vehicle moving and I was unable to turn the wheel while the vehicle was almost at a standstill. When I got the car home, I researched how to correct the problem. Since the manual was useless, I turned to YouTube and proceeded to check the fuse first. It was not blown. The steering control module needs to be replaced and the authorized dealership wants $1500 to $2000 to replace. My car has been well maintained and just turned 80,000 miles. This is a safety issue and could have put me in a very dangerous situation since I was unable to steer my vehicle! Please contact my husband as soon as possible about replacing the power steering module as I need the use of my car! You can reach him at [XXX] or email [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11424292
Incident
Jul 11, 2021
Brakes
Filed Feb 25, 2021

ABS/VSA WARNING LIGHT IN INSTRUMENT PANEL COMES ON AT START-UP, OTHER TIMES WHEN DRIVING, THEN DISAPPEARS ONLY TO COME BACK ON AGAIN AND LATER RE-APPEAR, DISAPPEARS, INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS QUOTED $2,900 FOR ABS/VSA MODULE 57110-TL2-S21 TO WHICH I SAID NO WAY. DID QUICK SURVEY ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM ON THOSE VEHICLES, AND 2 OR 3 MODEL YEARS.. THINK NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AS IT'S SAFETY RELATED AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND, QUITE POSSIBLY, FATAL RESULTS.

NHTSA ID
11397919
Incident
Feb 25, 2021
Mileage
7,450 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 8, 2021

7 F, CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE ALL NIGHT, STARTED CAR, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, BACKED OUT, BRAKES NORMAL, DRIVING FORWARD SLOWLY, BRAKES NORMAL, WAS GOING 30 APPROACHING STOP SIGN, WENT TO BRAKE, PEDAL WAS SOLID...NOTHING WAS UNDER THE PEDAL, BUT FELT LIKE THERE WAS A BRICK UNDER THE PEDAL. OBVIOUSLY I DIDN'T STOP, THANK GOODNESS NO CARS WERE ON THE ROAD. I SLOWED DOWN EVENTUALLY, THEN PUSHED EXTREMELY HARD ON THE PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO BRAKE. THEN AFTER DRIVING VERY SLOWLY & TESTING HARD PEDAL, THE PEDAL ACTED NORMAL AFTER A FEW MINUTES. NORMAL PEDAL NOW. ON A SEPARATE PROBLEM, THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN DOWNSHIFTING ON ITS OWN, I'M DRIVING ALONG, AROUND 45 MPH OR SO, THE TRANSMISSION IS IN D, DASH LIGHT & SHIFTER IN D, THEN EVERY NOW & THEN THE TACH WHINES, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS & SHOWS A LOWER GEAR (LIKE 4 OR 2 OR 1) IN THE SMALL BLACK SQUARE ON THE RIGHT OF THE DASHBOARD GEAR INTERFACE. THE GEAR SHIFTER IS STILL IN D, BUT THE CAR IS IN A DIFFERENT GEAR. I SLOW DOWN, THEN SHIFT INTO N, THEN PUT BACK TO D, THEN IT DRIVES NORMAL AGAIN, WITH NOTHING IN THE SMALL BLACK SQUARE ON THE DASHBOARD (NEXT TO THE GEAR INDICATOR).

NHTSA ID
11395130
Incident
Feb 8, 2021
Mileage
119,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 10, 2020

NO BRAKES OR VERY STIFF BRAKE PEDAL WHEN BELOW FREEZING UNTIL CAR WARMS UP. HAVE HAD BRAKE FLUID REPLACED AND BLED MULTIPLE TIMES AND PROBLEM NOT FIXED. HAPPENS EVERY TIME BELOW 25 DEGREES AND IS WORSE THE COLDER IT IS. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324058
Incident
Jan 1, 2020
Mileage
75,000 mi

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.

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.

BPaS01062021905

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

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.

BPaS12102020

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.

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
2011Viewing457050.9
2010637052.6
2009916051.0
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.