RoadVitals

2013 Acura TSX Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
33
Latest May 28, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
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.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 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

  • Steering1947.5%
  • Airbags512.5%
  • Electrical37.5%
  • Brakes37.5%
  • Driver assistance25.0%
  • Tires & wheels25.0%
  • Visibility12.5%
  • Body & structure12.5%
  • Engine12.5%
  • Exterior lighting12.5%
  • Other / unspecified12.5%
  • Powertrain (other)12.5%

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.

19
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Power steering electronic module went out and can’t find any replacements. Other models as the same as mine have been recalled.

NHTSA ID 11589300 · filed May 17, 2024

POWER STEERING LIGHT STARTED FLASHING WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR THIS MORNING, STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN

NHTSA ID 11404711 · filed Mar 24, 2021
All 19 reports naming steering

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The airbags did not deploy when I got in the front end accident

NHTSA ID 11665393 · filed Jun 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Acura TSX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag sensor warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

NHTSA ID 11425916 · filed Jul 22, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ABS / VSA module failed at 90k miles causing spongy brakes. Acura quoted me $3500 for a new module which is more than the value of the car.

NHTSA ID 11740546 · filed May 28, 2026

I purchased my 2013 Acura TSX new. Since the date of purchase I have had the battery replaced 4 times including yesterday. On each occasion, the battery was drained due to the Bluetooth Module being defective. The dealer has confirmed the problem. This poses a substantial safety risk

NHTSA ID 11527416 · filed Jun 16, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ABS / VSA module failed at 90k miles causing spongy brakes. Acura quoted me $3500 for a new module which is more than the value of the car.

NHTSA ID 11740546 · filed May 28, 2026

On Friday, September 24, 2021 when I went around a curve my car felt like the vehicle stability assist was trying to kick on. However, no warning light came on and I was not going to fast for the weather or road conditions. I did not hit any pot holes or anything else to cause the part to fail. When I went to apply my brakes the brakes felt soft and spongy and I was concern with the car not stopping. Safety issues for me and others were if my car didn't stop and me hitting another vehicle and injuring/killing them or myself due to the component failure. I was able to get my car to Acura Sterling McCall in Houston and they were able to duplicate the issue and I was advised the VSA needed to be replaced. That this was causing the soft brakes.

NHTSA ID 11434458 · filed Sep 27, 2021

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING MODULE FAILED AT 45000 MILES. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX AND ACURA IS NOT WILLING TO HELP. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM BECAUSE VEHICLES SEEM TO BE COMPUTERS MORE THAN ANYTHING THESE DAYS.

NHTSA ID 11160957 · filed Dec 12, 2018

2013 ACURA TSX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON, HE NOTICED A BIG SHADOW IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. HE BELIEVED IT POSED A SAFETY HAZARD AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING DOWN A WINDING AND HILLY ROAD. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. AT TIMES, HE HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE HARD IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. UPDATED 11/20/13

NHTSA ID 10524429 · filed Jul 17, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I first reported this on July 7, 2023 under NHTSA ID#11530893. My wife was driving when the Continental tire size 225/50/R17 suddenly blew out at approximately 70 MPH. Immediately pulled to shoulder of highway. This was a very tense moment at speed running on the rim to get immediately off the road. Fortunately there was no vehicles in neighboring lanes as we swerved and got out of harms way. Continental Tire dealer was contacted and shown the 2 pieces of separated tire. We were informed there is an open recall for tread separating from side wall of Continental Tires. Also informed that my DOT Tire identifier was not listed under the recall. No recourse was taken/offered by Continental dealer.

NHTSA ID 11549575 · filed Oct 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Acura TSX equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Pure Contact, Tire Size: 225/50/R17, DOT Number: VY40WD4A2320. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side tire exploded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The tires were replacement tires. The failure mileage was approximately 126,500.

NHTSA ID 11530893 · filed Jul 7, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE SUN VISOR HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE AND INHIBITS VISIBILITY. THE INTERNAL CLIP HAS WORN OUT, CANNOT BE REPLACED, AND HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED WITH MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE, 2006 HONDA CIVIC, AND WAS RESOLVED THROUGH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.

NHTSA ID 11353768 · filed Sep 8, 2020

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

EPS STEERING ISSUES FIRST REPORTED TO ACURA APPROXIMATELY 250 MILES. HOOD VIBRATION ISSUES AT 3800 MILES. ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING STABILITY TRACKING ISSUES, AUTOMOBILE CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN STRAIGHT LINE. THE EPS SYSTEM IN THIS VIN PLATFORM AND MANY OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAS SERIOUS & WELL DOCUMENTED STRAIGHT LINE DRIVING AND CROSSWIND STABILITY ISSUES DUE TO INHERENT DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAWS IN THE EPS SYSTEM AS COMPARED TO HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEMS. PASSING BIG RIGS TRAVELING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION ON TWO LANE HIGHWAYS, CAR BEING PUSHED EXCESSIVELY TOWARD OUTSIDE RIGHT EDGE OF ROAD DUE TO EPS STABILITY TRACKING ISSUES & ENTIRE HOOD ASSEMBLY LIFTING AND VIBRATING VERTICALLY ABOUT 1" VERY FAST ESPECIALLY AT LEADING EDGE CLOSEST TO WINDSHIELD AS IF FLEXING AND TRYING TO PULL FROM ITS HINGES AND FRONT LOCKING LATCH. OCCURRED 5 TIMES ON ONE HIGHWAY AND 4 TIMES ON OPEN CROSS COUNTRY INTERSTATES IN CROSSWINDS AND ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD HOWLING SOUND FROM HOOD VIBRATION WHEN WINDS TRAVEL THROUGH ENGINE COMPARTMENT. "FLUTTERS" OFTEN ON OPEN INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WHEN NOT VIBRATING VIOLENTLY. HAVE TALKED WITH 4 OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME ISSUES. ACURA HAS KNOWN OF PROBLEM FOR 5 YEARS AND ISSUED CAREFULLY WORDED TSB10-103 IN APRIL 2009 WITH CHEAP "BAND AIDE" FIX OF ADDING RUBBER GASKET THAT DIDN'T SOLVE REAL PROBLEM OF HOOD FLEXIBILITY ENGINEERING FLAW. VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE WHEN NOT EXPECTING. HOOD IS 19 SQUARE FEET OF VERY FLIMSY BRACED SHEET METAL WEIGHING 42#. IF STRUCTURE DETACHES WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS IT BASICALLY BECOMES A FLYING GUILLOTINE. CAN PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON FACTORY BODY WELD ASSEMBLY ISSUES, HOOD VIBRATION ISSUES AND EPS ISSUES BUT CHARACTER LIMITATIONS ON THIS FORM WILL NOT ALLOW SPACE.

NHTSA ID 10618571 · filed Aug 4, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE IS MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECTIVE VTC ACTUATOR, IT IS MAKING RATTLE SOUND ON A COLD START. MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT THE DEFECT PART.

NHTSA ID 11309049 · filed Feb 13, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2013 ACURA TSX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON, HE NOTICED A BIG SHADOW IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. HE BELIEVED IT POSED A SAFETY HAZARD AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING DOWN A WINDING AND HILLY ROAD. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. AT TIMES, HE HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE HARD IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. UPDATED 11/20/13

NHTSA ID 10524429 · filed Jul 17, 2013

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

After the harness is clipped in place and tightened as directed, you can pull the straps forward (including my 3yo child was able to do this) and loosen the straps of the harness without pressing on the release button. The harness pulls loose and will not stay locked in place. I also tried to simulate impact with a sudden and strong pull on the harness to see if it would lock in that situation and it does not. If we had been in an accident using this car seat, my child could have been seriously injured because the harness would have failed to lock. We purchased this in Sept 2019 and just noticed this occurring now but unclear if we just didn't realize it before or if the harness just failed now.

NHTSA ID 11470163 · filed Jun 21, 2022

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE IS MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECTIVE VTC ACTUATOR, IT IS MAKING RATTLE SOUND ON A COLD START. MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT THE DEFECT PART.

NHTSA ID 11309049 · filed Feb 13, 2020

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

Data on this page last refreshed .