2013 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 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.
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.
POWER STEERING LIGHT STARTED FLASHING WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR THIS MORNING, STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The airbags did not deploy when I got in the front end accident
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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 .