2012 Acura TSX Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Acura TSX, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering10064.9%
- Electrical1610.4%
- Brakes95.8%
- Engine63.9%
- Airbags63.9%
- Powertrain (other)53.2%
- Body & structure42.6%
- Driver assistance31.9%
- Fuel system21.3%
- Other / unspecified10.6%
- Interior & seats10.6%
- Suspension10.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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!
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED IT MAKES A NOISE AS IF MY CAR WAS ALREADY STARTED AND I WAS TRYING TO START IT AGAIN. HAPPENS WHEN CAR HAS SAT FOR A FEW HOURS. IF THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATED FAST IT SMELLS AS IF SOMETHING IS BURNING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
I TRAVELED 150 MILES TO PURCHASE A 2012 ACURA TSX AT CALIDAD MOTORS IN CONCORD CA. I WAS TOLD MY DEAL WENT THROUGH SO THAT IS WHY I DROVE THAT FAR. WHEN I GOT THERE, CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND STATED THE ISSUES TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH WERE PROMISED IN THE DEAL PAPER WORK THAT THEY WOULD GET FIXED. I HAVE CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CONTACT ME BACK OR ASSIST ME IN THIS REPAIR. I EXPRESSED THAT THEY SOLD ME A VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP HAD TOLD ME. I WAS TOLD TO SEND IN THE PHOTOS AND A VIDEO OF THE DAMAGED BUMPER AND FOG LAMP AREA. THEY STILL HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO ME. SINCE THEN, MY BUMPER HAS FALLEN OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I HAD MY HUSBAND PUT THE BUMPER BACK ON TO THE VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROAD APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THAT LEADS TO AN ONRAMP IN OAKLAND CA, THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY RIGID, IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE CAR BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. A WARNING LIGHT FLASHED RAPIDLY ON THE DISPLAY PANEL "STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE". LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING AT 5 TO 10 MPH AND ABLE TO PULL OVER. AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS, THE WARNING LIGHT STOPPED AND THE CAR'S STEERING THEN PERFORMED NORMALLY. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN WITHIN MINUTES AND DRIVING LESS THAN 2 MILES. THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS 66,100, THE CAR AUTO OIL CHANGE / B1 REMINDER WAS SHOWING 5% REMAINING FOR THE B1 SERVICE. I CONTACTED ACURA THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRING THE CAR EVEN THOUGH THIS SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURE'S PROBLEM,
LAST WEEK DRIVING MY ACURA TSX 2012 CAR HOME FROM WORK, SUDDENLY THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS DRIVING ON A WINDING ROAD AND MID SHARP TURN THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND CAME CLOSE TO CRASHING INTO THE TREE LINE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD STOP SINCE MY HEART WAS PALPITATING SO HARD. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE TREE LINE AND WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE. LUCKILY MY INSTINCTS KICKED IN AND I WAS ABLE TO WITH ALL MY MIGHT SLOW DOWN THE CAR AND TURN THE WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD TO AVOID CRASHING. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS AND I AM LUCKY THAT I CAME AWAY UNSCATHED. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ELECTRONIC MODULE WHICH WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $1200 TO FIX/REPLACE. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (2175 S BRADLEY RD, SANTA MARIA, CA 93455) AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME YEAR. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT, DUE TO THE WARRANTY BEING EXPIRED, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
ON 7/3/2013, I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE BECAUSE IT HAD DEMONSTRATED SEVERAL EPISODES OF ENGINE HESITATION. I HAVE ALWAYS USED PREMIUM GAS. THE CAR WAS CHECKED, BUT THE SYMPTOMS WERE NOT OBSERVED AND NO CAUSE COULD BE DETERMINED. ON 9/19/2013, I RETURNED FOR AN OIL CHANGE (ANNUAL SERVICE) AND ALSO ASKED IF ANY ENGINE HESITATION SERVICE BULLETINS OR ADVISOR'S HAD BEEN ISSUED. NONE HAD BEEN. THESE EPISODES: ?HAVE OCCURRED ABOUT 15 TIMES WHILE OWNING THE CAR. ?HAVE ALL OCCURRED WHEN ACCELERATING MODERATELY FROM BELOW 20 MILES AN HOUR. ?HAVE OCCURRED UNDER ALL COMBINATIONS OF ENGINE AND AIR TEMPERATURES. ?LAST FROM 2 TO 3 SECONDS, WHILE THE ENGINE DOES NOTHING. ?ARE INTERMITTENT AND CANNOT BE SUMMONED UPON DEMAND. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE HESITATION HAS PUT ME AT RISK OF COLLISION, WHERE I COULD NOT GO FORWARD BUT HAD TO BRAKE. THE RISK OF NONPERFORMANCE IS ALWAYS PRESENT AND IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF DISSATISFACTION FOR ME. BASED ON MY LIMITED UNDERSTANDING, MY GUESS IS THE CAUSE INVOLVES A SENSOR OR COMPUTER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I TRAVELED 150 MILES TO PURCHASE A 2012 ACURA TSX AT CALIDAD MOTORS IN CONCORD CA. I WAS TOLD MY DEAL WENT THROUGH SO THAT IS WHY I DROVE THAT FAR. WHEN I GOT THERE, CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND STATED THE ISSUES TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH WERE PROMISED IN THE DEAL PAPER WORK THAT THEY WOULD GET FIXED. I HAVE CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CONTACT ME BACK OR ASSIST ME IN THIS REPAIR. I EXPRESSED THAT THEY SOLD ME A VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP HAD TOLD ME. I WAS TOLD TO SEND IN THE PHOTOS AND A VIDEO OF THE DAMAGED BUMPER AND FOG LAMP AREA. THEY STILL HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO ME. SINCE THEN, MY BUMPER HAS FALLEN OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I HAD MY HUSBAND PUT THE BUMPER BACK ON TO THE VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I TRAVELED 150 MILES TO PURCHASE A 2012 ACURA TSX AT CALIDAD MOTORS IN CONCORD CA. I WAS TOLD MY DEAL WENT THROUGH SO THAT IS WHY I DROVE THAT FAR. WHEN I GOT THERE, CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND STATED THE ISSUES TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH WERE PROMISED IN THE DEAL PAPER WORK THAT THEY WOULD GET FIXED. I HAVE CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CONTACT ME BACK OR ASSIST ME IN THIS REPAIR. I EXPRESSED THAT THEY SOLD ME A VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP HAD TOLD ME. I WAS TOLD TO SEND IN THE PHOTOS AND A VIDEO OF THE DAMAGED BUMPER AND FOG LAMP AREA. THEY STILL HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO ME. SINCE THEN, MY BUMPER HAS FALLEN OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I HAD MY HUSBAND PUT THE BUMPER BACK ON TO THE VEHICLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .