Acura TSX Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Acura TSX model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2014 drew the fewest (7) and the 2004 the most (142).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
7 | 3 | Service brakes | — | 22–25 |
| 2007 Among the fewest complaints |
22 | 2 | Steering | — | 22–23 |
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
33 | 4 | Steering | — | 22–25 |
| 2008 | 34 | 2 | Steering | — | 22–23 |
| 2011 | 45 | 7 | Steering | — | 22–25 |
| 2006 | 50 | 3 | Steering | — | 22–23 |
| 2005 | 51 | 3 | Air bags | — | 22–23 |
| 2010 | 63 | 7 | Air bags | — | 21–25 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
91 | 6 | Air bags | — | 23–25 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
133 | 6 | Steering | — | 22–25 |
| 2004 Among the most complaints |
142 | 3 | Air bags | — | 22–23 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Acura TSX years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2004 Acura TSX: 142 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 29 (20%); Electrical system 29 (20%); Seats 22 (15%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Acura TSX: 133 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 100 (75%); Electrical system 16 (12%); Service brakes 9 (7%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 1 injury, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 72,553 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Acura TSX: 91 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 27 (30%); Service brakes 24 (26%); Engine and engine cooling 12 (13%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 7 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 23,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
The Acura TSX years with the fewest complaints
2014 Acura TSX: 7 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 3 (43%); Engine 2 (29%); Air bags 1 (14%).
3 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Acura TSX: 22 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 15 (68%); Electrical system 3 (14%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (9%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 110,300 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2013 Acura TSX: 33 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 19 (58%); Air bags 5 (15%); Electrical system 3 (9%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Acura TSX owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2012 | 133 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 72,553 |
| 2011 | 45 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 79,000 |
| 2010 | 63 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 28,076 |
| 2009 | 91 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 23,000 |
| 2008 | 34 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 63,000 |
| 2007 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 110,300 |
| 2006 | 50 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 90,000 |
| 2005 | 51 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 106,930 |
| 2004 | 142 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 62,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Acura TSX recalls
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2009–2011 model years; 2,719,386 vehicles across all models; filed May 2016; 16V346000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2010–2014 model years; 1,355,406 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2018; 18V661000)
- OWNER'S MANUAL HOTLINE INFORMATION INCORRECT (2006 model year; 1,190,000 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2006; 06V270000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture (2009–2012 model years; 977,708 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2017; 17V030000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2009–2013 model years; 691,726 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2018; 18V042000)
All 12 Acura TSX recall campaigns · Acura TSX problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Acura TSX years FAQ
Which Acura TSX year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2014 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (7). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Acura TSX years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2004, 2012 and 2009 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Acura TSX problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (223 of 671 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Acura TSX have?
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns covering the Acura TSX. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Acura TSX recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.