2012 Acura TSX Owner Complaints

Steering system failed-safety was a risk because wheel was very hard to turn-calling the dealer on Monday. Warning light came on right before the steering failed.

NHTSA ID

11754221

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

Traction control didn’t work, and the large OEM seats did not hug my body as advertised, causing bodily injury when struck by another vehicle, “t-bone” on passenger side.

NHTSA ID

11711549

Incident

Sep 16, 2025

On two occasions my college aged daughter was driving this vehicle when the steering wheel became inoperative. There was an error message on the dash about checking the power steering system. There was also an icon displaying with a steering wheel. Luckily she was only in a parking lot when this happened and was able to stop. SHE WAS GETTING READY TO DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE. Had she reached the interstate she would have been in a bad accident. Come to find out this is a known issue with the electric power steering system and Acura has extended the warranty. But this should be a recall!

NHTSA ID

11669981

Incident

Jun 28, 2025

2012 Acura TSX Sportwagon: Brought car to independent mechanic who diagnosed power steering failure as requiring replacement of "Power Steering Control Module". Acura has a "TSB" or "Technical Service Bulletin" #19-021 regarding this issue. The car is very difficult to steer and is dangerous to drive because the driver is unable to steer quickly. Also the turning radius is essentially reduced as well. An Acura dealer is scheduled to examine the vehicle on 6/20/2025. The failure first appeared around the beginning of June 2025. There is a persistent audible chime along with (3) blinking warning lights (Steering wheel with exclamation point, the letter "i" with a circle around it, and the message "Check Power Steering System" message). This car is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ID

11667466

Incident

Jun 1, 2025

A "Check Power Steering" light on the dashboard came on suddenly leaving me unable to steer the car at all. After re-starting the car several times, the light went off. The car manual indicated pumping the accelerator may cause this symptom, and--given the light had gone off--I drove the car home. However, after trying again to drive the car, the light is back on. Online Acura forums indicate there is a common issue with the EPS control unit but no recall has been issued even though American Honda Motor Co may have sent out letters to some owners indicating the possibility to receive reimbursement for the EPS control unit. (I did not receive this letter.)

NHTSA ID

11663322

Incident

May 22, 2025

While driving at highway speeds, the A-pillar trim on the passenger side of my Acura TSX Wagon's windshield flew off the car today as a gust of wind hit the vehicle. I had just cleaned the windshield that morning in preparation for my road trip and nothing appeared loose. While driving for over two hours, nothing had rattled or sounded strange. And then all of a sudden, a crack noise and something hits the windshield and flies over the car. I almost hit the car next to me due to the suddenness. The trim piece flew behind the vehicle and had traffic been heavier, it could have hit a car behind me. So that could have been two accidents caused. This car has been amazing and I am the original owner. I am troubled now though seeing the number of people online (see Acura forums) having this issue as their TSX's age. There is also another NHTSA complaint with this exact same issue, and there have been two Acura TSBs regarding this already (see 09-030 and 09-016). As thousands of TSXs age along with the apparent "glue" holding this piece on the car, motorists across the nation are at risk of this flying projectile. Thus, I am writing this complaint in the name of public safety even though I truly love my TSX wagon.

NHTSA ID

11633537

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

Driving on the freeway. Going 65-70mph EPS (electric power steering) indicator light came on. A message was also sent in inbox of car stating code such as 32 and 61. Steering wheel became stiff and was difficult to steer when car not moving. Went to auto zone to check out if there was any code and there was none. I change to a new battery and check steering fuse everything seem fine with charging system. I did research and found out there was many vehicle like mine that have the same issue. Also, look at Acura forums and some said there was a recall with the EPS. Please help me figure out this issue. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11611730

Incident

Aug 28, 2024

Check engine Transmission ABS VSA TPMS All lights went on suddenly. While I was driving suddenly all lights came on dashboard. I’ve used OBD scanner to find the root cause but the problem can’t be detected. I went to Acura dealer in NJ and paid $250. They inspected, and said it could be this Instrument cluster or that ECu. But they did not said anything concrete what could be faulty. Both are expensive to replace around $2000-$4000 each The lights comes and goes. These lights are not persistent. I’ve been driving with it. Sometimes when the lights are on AC DOESNT WORK, steering loses control for a second. When it loses control car swerves. It’s dangerous but I’ve been driving with caution ⚠️ In past, electric power steering was malfunction and I had it replaced for $1500. I will never purchase Acura or Honda for lifetime It should be recalled

NHTSA ID

11603279

Incident

May 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Acura TSX. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the front driver’s side inflator had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the dealer however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 81,915.

NHTSA ID

11539917

Incident

Aug 19, 2023

Mileage

81,915 mi

Complete failure of the Electronic Power Steering System. Warning bulletin and chime activated when car restarted at rest stop. There was no advance warning of imminent failure. Steering was compromised and rendered undrivable. Car was towed to a repair shop, who confirmed the failure of the steering system. If this event were to have happened 5 minutes before or after the incident, we would have been on the highway traveling at 65 to 70 miles an hour in a remote rural area

NHTSA ID

11526014

Incident

May 29, 2023

The Electronic Power Steering Component failed in the vehicle. No previous warning lights or problems with steering. Had just parked car returned an hour later and warning light comes on. Fortunately, I was pulling out of a parking place when the steering locked up. Vehicle was towed to Acura dealer and the service advisor stated it would be covered under 15 year extended warranty then called parts to locate part to be replaced. I was called the next morning and told vehicle would be ready by end of day, but a few hours later surprisingly, I was informed the part (Power steering rack) was not covered and the cost would be $3,400. To add insult to injury was offered to have sales appraise my car so they could fix and resell!!! I only have 38,500 miles on my 2012 vehicle and now my vehicle is just sitting. This is a real issue there definitely should be a recall for this. I see numerous complaints regarding this, please investigate this safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11512211

Incident

Feb 27, 2023

On acceleration. the car would shudder and there was a loud grinding coming from the front of the car. After inspection by the dealer the front 2 axles had to be replaced. The car has only been driven 70K miles. This posed dangerous driving and control issues on the Interstate. Cost of repair was $3600.

NHTSA ID

11497194

Incident

Oct 17, 2022

For about a year or more, On cold start,(3-6+ hours of engine rest) rattle occurs for a brief period of time (usually 1-2 seconds) then ceases. TSB 09-010 is associated with various Honda models up to 2012, but does not include Acura. Car delivers no DTCs for this issue currently. Have not had the vehicle inspected by the dealer for this issue. Following the TSB, the symptom is the same. Replacement of VTC ACTUATOR will happen shortly, in which the part can be available for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11480897

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

EPS, electronic power steering module failure. "Check power steering system"

NHTSA ID

11478437

Incident

Jul 2, 2022

The power steering alert light suddenly when I drive my friend on the road. Turning the steering wheel becomes very difficult. I rushed over to the lawn by the side of the road and luckily there was no one and no trees. Fortunately, no accident happened, and no one was hurt, but I am very worried and scared about driving this car again!!!!!! Recall this car !!

NHTSA ID

11467219

Incident

Jun 1, 2022

I was driving my car home on 2/4/22 and the indicator light (check power steering system!) starting flashing and my steering was extremely hard to turn. I had to pullover in a parking lot and turned off the engine for a few minutes and the indicator light turned off and I was able to drive home. On 2/11, I was trying to pullout of my driveway and the indicator light went on again and I was unable to move the steering wheel. I turned off the engine and I tried again the next day and this time, the light remained on. I will need to tow the car to the dealership or mechanic to have it diagnosed.

NHTSA ID

11451677

Incident

Feb 4, 2022

I purchased new 2012, for the first time after 10 years, the car is unsafe, brake pedal becomes hard after start up cold - noticed if outside weather between 30-25 degrees brake pedal becomes hard for the first 2-3 times and car will not stop, if the weather below 16 degrees it will take 9-10 times - if you push and pump the brake pedal the brake pedal power comes back to normal but not the first or 2nd time and also has something to do with weather. car was purchased in VIRGINIA and stayed in VIRGINIA last 10 years and this is the FIRST winter this happen.

NHTSA ID

11448439

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Acura TSX. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the "power steering failure" message was displayed, and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,273.

NHTSA ID

11439386

Incident

Nov 1, 2021

Mileage

101,273 mi

DEALERSHIP LIED ON CARFAX STATING THEY FIXED THE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD AND I DIDN'T KNOW THEY WEREN'T SUPPOSE TO SALE ME THE CAR WITH A BROKEN WINDSHIELD. ACCORDING TO CARFAX REPORT, DEALERSHIP LIED THAT IT WAS REPLACED BUT IT WASN'T.

NHTSA ID

11406898

Incident

Mar 6, 2021

WARNING LIGHT TO "CHECK POWER STEERING "UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS. LOSS OF TURNING POWER SUDDENLY OCCURS. NO PRIOR WARNINGS EXHIBITED. DANGEROUS SITUATION COULD LEAD TO FATAL RESULTS.

NHTSA ID

11384924

Incident

Dec 24, 2020

Mileage

66,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN COLD CLIMATE, THE VEHICLE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE WITH FORCE TO BE ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

NHTSA ID

11382883

Incident

Nov 23, 2020

Mileage

71,000 mi

A CAR STOP IN FRONT OF ME QUICKLY SO I PUSH THE BRAKE HARD TO STOP AND I HEARD THE ABS GRINDING, SO EVERYTHING FINE, I CONTINUE DRIVING THEN I WANT TO STOP ON THE STOP SIGN AND I FOUND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT NORMAL I HAVE TO PUSH IT COMPLETELY DOWN FEELS LIKE NO BRAKES I TOOK IT TO ACURA DEALER AND THEY FLASH THE BRAKE OIL, AND I TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED THEY SAID NO AIR IN THE ABS OR THE SYSTEM AND ITS NORMAL BUT IF IT HAPPEN AGAIN YOU NEED ABS CONTROL MODULE THE CAR MILEAGE IS 109000 AND ITS ALL HIGHWAY MILES. NOW WHEN I PUSH ON THE PEDAL IT FEELS SPONGY AND IT GOES TO THE FLOOR. ITS KINDA SCARY TO DRIVE AND THE COST OF THIS PART INSTALLED $4000. FOR THIS MILEAGE AND THIS CAR I THINK SOMETHING WRONG GOING ON..

NHTSA ID

11378054

Incident

Nov 24, 2020

Mileage

109,000 mi

EPS FAILURE WARNING SHOWS UP ON THE CLUSTER PANEL... THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ALMOST MAKING ME CRASH MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE RIGHT NOW. THIS INCIDENT IT'S BEEN REPORTED FOR MANY ACURA TSX OWNERS BEFORE. ARE THE MANUFACTURERS WAITING FOR A FATAL ACCIDENT TO HAPPENED?!?

NHTSA ID

11360065

Incident

Sep 19, 2020

Mileage

98,500 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, A WARNING MESSAGE TO "CHECK POWER STEERING!" APPEARED AND THE POWER STEERING DEACTIVATED COMPLETELY. THIS LEFT ME SUDDENLY IN A VERY HEAVY AND DIFFICULT TO TURN VEHICLE. I HAD TO PUSH/PULL THE WHEEL VERY HARD TO THE RIGHT TO SLOWLY GET IT OFF THE HIGHWAY WHILE BARELY MISSING OTHER CARS. THIS WAS A VERY UNSETTLING/HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THIS YEAR/MODEL CAR SPECIFICALLY HAS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING FAILING. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. ACURA HAS QUOTED $3800 TO FIX THE PROBLEM! TOLD ME IT IS THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING GEARBOX/ASSEMBLY WHICH IMPLIES IT'S SOMETHING LIKE A WORN OUT MOTOR , HOWEVER THE ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT AND USUALLY DISAPPEARS ONCE THE CAR HAS FULLY COOLED DOWN, AT LEAST UNTIL IT HAS HEATED UP AGAIN AT WHICH POINT IT WILL SUDDENLY HAPPEN AGAIN AT ANY TIME (TYPICALLY AFTER AN HOUR OR TWO AT MOST). THE FACT IT IS AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE WOULD SUGGEST IT IS A COMPUTER RELATED PROBLEM/WIRING PROBLEM - AKA ; DEFECTIVE PART . CAR HAS ONLY 105K MILES AND HAS NEVER BEEN MISTREATED NOT HAD ANY DAMAGE SUSTAINED NOR HAVE ANY SERIOUS POTHOLES BEEN HIT. APPARENTLY ACURA IS REPAIRING PROBLEMS WITH THE EPS UNIT UNDER A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THAT SPECIFIC PART, BUT NOT THE STEERING GEARBOX. SO THEY CLEARLY RECOGNIZE THE DEFECTIVE NATURE OF THE POWER STEERING IN THIS MODEL/YEAR CAR BUT WANT TO MINIMIZE THE COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM BY ONLY WARRANTING THE CHEAPER OF THE POSSIBLE POWER STEERING ISSUES TO FIX WHILE LEAVING ANY OTHER ISSUES UP TO THE OWNER TO PAY OUT TO FIX. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS SO I EFFECTIVELY NO LONGER HAVE A VEHICLE.. SPENT 25K FOR THIS CAR AND GOT 105K OUT.OF IT ONLY.. THANKS HONDA! I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER HONDA ANYTHING AND WILL BE SURE TO SHARE THIS WITH ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN. UNBELIEVABLE.

NHTSA ID

11355035

Incident

Aug 8, 2020

Mileage

105,000 mi

THE BLUE TOOTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN SOUNDING STATICKY AND I REALIZED THAT UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL WATER FALLS THREW WHEN IT'S RAINING AND ACCUMULATE OR WETS MY FEET WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IF IT'S RAINING.

NHTSA ID

11352575

Incident

Aug 29, 2020