2012 Acura TSX Electrical Problems

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 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

MY EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) MODULE FAILED WHILE I WAS MERGING TO MY RIGHT ON TO THE HIGHWAY ON RAMP. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP DUE TO THE CARS BEHIND ME AND UNABLE TO PULL OVER AS THE LAND SLOPED DOWN INTO A RETENTION POND. NOW I'M A YOUNG MEN AND WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC AND ALSO DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE 2012-2014 TSX HAVE A RECURRING FAILURE ON THE EPS MODULE HAPPENING AROUND 75K MILES ( I HAVE ABOUT 100K). THIS RECALL WOULDN'T BENEFIT ME AS I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE ISSUE FIXED, THIS IS ARE THE OLDER WOMEN OR MAN NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO STEER A CAR WITHOUT POWERING STEERING AND COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ENDING IN A CATASTROPHIC EVENT. I FEEL THAT THERE IS ENOUGH HISTORY WITH THIS PROBLEM TO AT LEAST BE INVESTIGATED FOR THE SAFETY OF DRIVES. *TR

NHTSA ID

11330034

Incident

Jun 11, 2020

Mileage

3 mi

THE BLUETOOTH MODULE CONTINUOUSLY RUNS EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF/NON-OPERATIONAL. IT'S LED TO ME HAVING TO REPLACE THE BATTERY 5X IN THE 8 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. I DON'T HAVE ANY EXTERNAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES OR CHARGERS PLUGGED IN TO WHERE IT CAN CAUSE THE BATTERY TO DRAIN, NOR DO I LEAVE THE HEADLIGHTS OR CABIN LIGHTS ON. ACURA DEALERSHIPS CLAIM THERE IS NO ISSUE, HOWEVER THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT BY ACURA CUSTOMERS ONLINE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328486

Incident

Jun 1, 2014

WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND I ALMOST GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT AS I COULD NOT TURN MY CAR. I WAS LUCKY BUT MY LIFE COULD HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS DANGER BECAUSE OF ACURA. THIS IS NOT A VERY OLD CAR AND DOES NOT HAVE A LOT OF MILEAGE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND SAID IT WOULD COST $1850 TO FIX. RIDICULOUS.

NHTSA ID

11322496

Incident

Apr 27, 2020

Mileage

135,000 mi

WHEN CAR IS PARKED AND OFF, AND TRYING TO LOCK/UNLOCK DOORS WITH KEY FOB (FROM OUTSIDE) OR FROM POWER LOCKS (ON THE INTERIOR), THE LOCKS DON'T LOCK OR UNLOCK. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK AS IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR CAR BREAK-INS TO OCCUR. PER DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE ACTUATORS HAVE GONE BAD.

NHTSA ID

11308264

Incident

Apr 1, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

TWO DAYS AGO I WAS DRIVING ACURA TSX 2012 ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD A MESSAGE WARNING CHECK POWER STEERING AND THE DRIVE WHEEL COMPLETELY LOCKED. IT LASTED A COUPLE OF MINUTES. TOOK THE CAR TO AN ACURA SERVICE CENTER AND HAD TO REPLACE THE ESO UNIT. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH PRIORITY BEFORE PEOPLE DIE OR A TRAGEDY HAPPENS. IT IS NOT BEING ATTENDED AS IT SHOULD AS A HIGH LIFE THREATAMING ISSUE. ACURA HAS THE NUMBERS OF THE REPLACED UNITS AND NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION. I EXPECTED MORE FROM A HIGH QUALITY COMPANY. WHAT DOES IT NEED IN ORDER TO BE CALLED IN RECALL, THIS IS AN ANTICIPATED DEATH THAT CAN BE AVOIDED.. PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATELY ACTION!

NHTSA ID

11130457

Incident

Sep 18, 2018

Mileage

72,000 mi

I HAVE A 2012 ACURA TSX THAT HAS HAD NO PRIOR ISSUES BEFORE THIS ONE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE MESSAGE CHECK POWER STEERING CAME ACROSS THE DASH. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED CAUSING MY STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS I NO LONGER HAD CONTROL OF THE CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. I HAVE SEEN AT LEAST 100 COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, IN BUSY INTERSECTIONS, AND WHILE DRIVING. I LIVE IN THE UPSTATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND THERE IS MAJOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION GOING ON. THIS MEAN NO EMERGENCIES LANES, ONLY TWO LANE AND CONCRETE DIVIDERS SO THERE IS NO WAY TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THEREFORE THIS IS A FATAL ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THIS DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE CHECKED OUT FOR A RECALL SO THAT NO ONE LOSES THERE LIFE BECAUSE ACURA WOULD RATHER KEEP CHARGING PEOPLE $1,500.00 TO FIX IT INSTEAD OF REPORTING A RECALL FOR A FAULTY PART.

NHTSA ID

11113399

Incident

Jul 21, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET, ROUGHLY 25MPH WHEN MY POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE'S STEERING LOCKED UP. I PULLED OVER AND QUICKLY READ THE MANUAL, WHICH SAID TO RESTART THE CAR AND IF THE LIGHT GOES OFF, THE CAR IS OK. AFTER DOING SO, THE CAR WAS STEERING AS EXPECTED AND I WAS ABLE TO RETURN HOME SAFELY. THE CAR WAS FINE FOR 2 DAYS. THE THIRD MORNING, I AM LEAVING FOR WORK AND DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED - THE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE'S STEERING SEIZED, EXCEPT THIS TIME RESTARTING DID NOT HELP. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE SUCCUMBING TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO HELP. I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR IN THE STREET AND UBER TO WORK, WORK WITH AAA AND THE LOCAL ACURA DEALERSHIP TO GET MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR. IT WAS THE ESP THAT HAD FAILED. WITH PARTS AND LABOR THE BILL WAS $1,600. THE CAR HAS 77K MILES ON IT. THIS PART SHOULD LAST AT LEAST TO 100K, IF NOT THE LIFE TIME OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY FOR ME I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY, OPERATING A VEHICLE WITH NO STEERING IS VERY SCARY AND VERY DANGEROUS. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY ACURA BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. I BOUGHT AN ACURA BECAUSE I TRUST THEM, THEIR CARS AND THEIR BRAND AND I AM INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED IN THEIR LACK OF CARE AND SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS.

NHTSA ID

11111936

Incident

Jul 12, 2018

Mileage

77,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TSX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER ONE ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11073299

Incident

Feb 12, 2018

Mileage

75,000 mi

AN ANIMAL DESTROYED TWO WIRING HARNESSES UNDER THE HOOD, THAT I COULD SEE. CAR WILL NOT START. APPARENTLY THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES IS SOY BASED AND CRITTERS LIKE TO EAT IT. THE CAR WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN FOR 1 DAY WHEN I DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11023856

Incident

Sep 17, 2017

I HAVE A ACURA TSX 2012 - ABOUT 70,000 MILES. ONE EVENING LEAVING WORK MY CAR NOTIFIED ME THAT I NEEDED TO CHECK THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. MY WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED AND I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO AN ACURA SERVICE CENTER. I THEN LATER LEARNED THAT I NEED TO REPLACE MY EPS UNIT AND MY COST WOULD BE $1028!!!!! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS MY VEHICLE IS FAIRLY NEW AND WELL MAINTAINED!!! ACURA NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND REIMBURSE ME! IT COULD'VE BEEN LIFE CHANGING FOR ME IF THIS HAPPENED WILL ON A MAIN HIGHWAY, ETC!!! UNACCEPTABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE!

NHTSA ID

11012577

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

Mileage

70,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE BUSIEST FREEWAY IN CLEVELAND, OHIO (7/23/17); AN ERROR POPPED UP ON MY ACURA TSX SAYING "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM," AND I IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER STEERING OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE WHEEL (WITH GREAT FORCE) TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL. IT SAID THAT THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING OF THE VEHICLE AND TO SHUT OFF THE CAR AND TURN IT BACK ON TO SEE IF THE ERROR RESETS. THANKFULLY THE ERROR WENT AWAY. I CALLED THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING (SINCE THIS HAPPENED ON A SUNDAY), AND THEY SAID IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE. I DROVE THE CAR FOR ANOTHER 6 DAYS (THINKING IT WAS A FLUKE), THEN TO MY PARENTS 2 HOURS AWAY TO YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO (7/29/17). WHEN I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR, TURNED THE KEY, THE ERROR "CHECK POWER STEERING" POPPED UP AGAIN. UNFORTUNATELY, IT DID NOT RESET. WHEN THIS ERROR OCCURS, THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING SYSTEM DOESN'T FUNCTION. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL TURN; HOWEVER, WITH GREAT FORCE! IT'S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MOVE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND A TON OF ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL STEERING SYSTEM OF THE 2015 ACURA TSX. I'VE HAD THE CAR 5 YEARS AND DROVE IT 79,000 MILES (FREEWAY MOSTLY); IT'S ODD THAT THIS EARLY IN THE LIFE, A MAIN COMPUTER THAT HOUSES THE STEERING WOULD FAIL. I FOUND POSTS OF PEOPLE DRIVING WITH CHILDREN ON FREEWAYS AND ON WINDING ROADS ENCOUNTER THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY LOST CONTROL OF THEIR CARS! SEE SITES: 1. HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2012/ACURA/TSX/STEERING/PROBLEM.ASPX 2. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=8FFW9F9D854 SOME THING HAS TO BE DONE. THIS IS A $1000+ FIX AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT FROM WHOEVER SOLD ACURA THE ELECTRICAL STEERING COMPONENT MODULE OF THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT PERSON THIS HAPPENS TO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MANEUVER OVER AND CAUSE A FATAL CRASH.

NHTSA ID

11011705

Incident

Jul 29, 2017

Mileage

79,000 mi

I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE SNOW AND SLID INTO THE GUARDRAIL WHILE TURNING. NOT MUCH BODY DAMAGE, BUT THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED. WAS STUCK IN THE ROAD FOR 2 HOURS WITH THE POLICE HAVING TO BLOCK OFF AROUND ME. HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING WITH IT BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL AND COULD NOT CLEAR THE CODE THAT WAS COMING UP AND NEEDED TO GO THE DEALERSHIP.HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE REPLACING THE STEERING.

NHTSA ID

10945236

Incident

Jan 7, 2017

Mileage

76,000 mi

UPON STARTING VEHICLE I NOTICED INTERMITTENT "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". DURING DRIVE CYCLE I ENCOUNTERED FAILURE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. WENT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, THEY WITNESSED SAME SYMPTOMS STATED ABOVE, BUT INTERMITTENT CHECK LIGHT WILL NOT PRODUCE A FAULT CODE, TECHNICIAN STATED IT SEEMS LIKE A GROUND PROBLEM. UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE DUE TO UNSAFE CONDITION, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AVOID AN EMERGENCY WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF FORCE NEEDED TO STEER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10758477

Incident

Aug 6, 2015

Mileage

64,710 mi