Owners have filed 40 complaints
about the 2013 Acura TSX with NHTSA between 2013 and 2026.
The largest single group is the steering.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 10 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 24
Against the median year of the Acura TSX. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 52
10% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 37
22% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
313.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
14.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
417.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
626.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
730.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
28.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2013peak 3May 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2013 Acura TSX
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA19001Opened 19 Apr 2019Closed 19 Sep 2024AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
Electrical overstress
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW. The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mount...
Recalls on the 2013 Acura TSX
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
19V502000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
19V378000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
18V661000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshir
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
18V042000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ev
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2018523263,289 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Peachtree Corners, GACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The airbags did not deploy when I got in the front end accident
NHTSA complaint #11665393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesBaton Rouge, LACrash1 injured
STEERING
OUR NON-MOVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HARD REAR-END COLLISION AT A IN CITY TRAFFIC WAITING TO MAKE A LEGAL TURN. A WEEK LATER VEHICLE LOST STEERING MOBILITY. WE HAD BATON ROUGE, LA ACURA DEALERSHIP RUN A DIAGNOSTIC. THEY FAILED TO DETERMINE IF THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH REAR-END COLLISION. I WOULD SAY SO. THAT IS FINE LIL TOUGH CAR. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS. ALL WE HAVE HAD TO DO IS PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND CHANGE A BATTERY. ACURA CARS AT 88K MILES DO NOT HAVE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT STEERING PROBLEMS. AT THE TIME AN OWNER OF A 2008 TSX HAD 179K MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. OUR HOUSEHOLD HAD TO EXPERIENCE MORE THAN A$1700 UNEXPECTED EXPENSE. SPOKE WITH AN NHTSA REP LAST WEEK. SHE MENTIONED THE STEERING SYSTEM IS UNDER WARRANTY FOR THAT MODEL YEAR (2013). HELP
NHTSA complaint #11230226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Palmetto Bay, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11740546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmetto Bay, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11740546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peachtree Corners, GACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The airbags did not deploy when I got in the front end accident
NHTSA complaint #11665393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deland, FL
STEERING
Power steering electronic module went out and can’t find any replacements. Other models as the same as mine have been recalled.
NHTSA complaint #11589300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norristown, PA
TIRES
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 complaint #11549575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,500 milesNorristown, PA
TIRES
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 complaint #11530893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethesda, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11527416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mill Valley, CA
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
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 complaint #11470163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
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 complaint #11434458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesWalden, NY
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11425916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, MA
STEERING
POWER STEERING LIGHT STARTED FLASHING WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR THIS MORNING, STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN
NHTSA complaint #11404711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesEvington, VA
STEERING
DRIVING STRAIGHT ROAD IN TOWN GOING MAYBE 40 MPH, ALERT CAME ON SAYING CHECK POWER STEERING. WHEEL EXTREMELY HARD TO MANUEVER, BARELY TURNED INTO CLOSEST PARKING LOT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT A SHOP WAITING TO BE FIXED, WHATEVER THAT MEANS.... $$$$$$$
NHTSA complaint #11394964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
AIR BAGS
CANNOT TURN WHEEL, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT
NHTSA complaint #11377839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
STEERING
CANNOT TURN WHEEL, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT
NHTSA complaint #11377839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesAshton, MD
STEERING
STEERING LOCKED UP AND POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, RESTARTED, IT WAS OK. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING. REAL SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #11375469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 milesCulver City, CA
STEERING
CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. HAD TO MOVE STEERING WITH FORCE.
NHTSA complaint #11362064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,000 milesOiathe, KS
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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 complaint #11353768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,039 milesWhittier, CA
STEERING
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I GOT A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOAD. IT SAID THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM MAY NOT BE WORKING. I TURNED OFF THE CAR. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. HOWEVER, WITHIN 1 MIN, THE WHEEL LOCKED AGAIN. THANK GOD I HADNT GOTTEN ON THE FREEWAY. THERE COULD'VE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES AS THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING. I SLOWLY BROUGHT IT BACK HOME AS I HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY TURN OFF AND ON THE CAR TO UNLOCK WHEEL FOR 1 MIN. TO MAKE SOME TURNS. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO THIS CAR THAT I BOUGHT LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD. I HAD JUST TAKEN IT IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO FOR AN OIL CHECK AND INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #11353518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashville, TN
POWER TRAIN
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 complaint #11309049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashville, TN
ENGINE
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 complaint #11309049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesCharlotte, NC
STEERING
ON MY WAY TO WORK LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO TURN. THEN LIGHTS STARTING FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM. I WAS AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AS THIS IS DANGEROUS. I DID SAFELY MAKE IT TO WORK. AT THIS TIME I AM UNABLE TO FIND A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS ODD BECAUSE THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A CONSUMER'S FAULT. IT'S A SYSTEM FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #11246265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesSAN Jose, CA
STEERING
THE AUTOMATIC STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHEN I WAS TRYING TO REVERSE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. CAR WAS ONLY PARKED FOR 15 MINUTES IN THE LOT. CAR ONLY HAS 32K
NHTSA complaint #11242311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesBaton Rouge, LACrash1 injured
STEERING
OUR NON-MOVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HARD REAR-END COLLISION AT A IN CITY TRAFFIC WAITING TO MAKE A LEGAL TURN. A WEEK LATER VEHICLE LOST STEERING MOBILITY. WE HAD BATON ROUGE, LA ACURA DEALERSHIP RUN A DIAGNOSTIC. THEY FAILED TO DETERMINE IF THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH REAR-END COLLISION. I WOULD SAY SO. THAT IS FINE LIL TOUGH CAR. WE ARE THE SECOND OWNERS. ALL WE HAVE HAD TO DO IS PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND CHANGE A BATTERY. ACURA CARS AT 88K MILES DO NOT HAVE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT STEERING PROBLEMS. AT THE TIME AN OWNER OF A 2008 TSX HAD 179K MILES WITH NO PROBLEMS. OUR HOUSEHOLD HAD TO EXPERIENCE MORE THAN A$1700 UNEXPECTED EXPENSE. SPOKE WITH AN NHTSA REP LAST WEEK. SHE MENTIONED THE STEERING SYSTEM IS UNDER WARRANTY FOR THAT MODEL YEAR (2013). HELP
NHTSA complaint #11230226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,082 milesLOS Banos, CA
STEERING
MY 2013 ACURA TSX EPS SYSTEM WENT OUT AND I BOUGHT A NEW ONE THROUGH ACURA AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF AND COME TO FIND OUT IT DID NOT WORK, SAME ERROR IS OCCURRING. DASH IS SAY CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND SAME CODE POPS UP FOR THE EPS MODULE. WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALER I PURCHASED FROM TO GET REPLACEMENT. SUPPOSEDLY IT HAS A 1YR MANUFACTURES WARRANTY
NHTSA complaint #11203833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesRedlands, CA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. SPREEN ACURA (8101 AUTO DR, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, (951) 335-8955) WAS NOTIFIED AND INDICATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT ISSUED A STEERING RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY FOR SERVICING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11196488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.