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Acura

2012 Acura TSX SPORT WAGON

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Acura TSX SPORT WAGON has 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 16. The most common issue is steering problems (63% of all complaints), specifically: steering vibrates from 45 to 75mph, dealer has test drove and also felt the vibration, and told that is the tsx wagon charactistic, and refused to do a further diagnose. 2 wheel alignment for the 1st 2 weeks of ownership then 2 road force tire balanced and still did not fix the problem, this is all . There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

16

Total Complaints

4

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 7)

STEERING

10 complaints
63%
  • STEERING VIBRATES FROM 45 TO 75MPH, DEALER HAS TEST DROVE AND ALSO FELT THE VIBRATION, AND TOLD THAT IS THE TSX WAGON CHARACTISTIC, AND REFUSED TO DO A FURTHER DIAGNOSE. 2 WHEEL ALIGNMENT FOR THE 1ST 2 WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP THEN 2 ROAD FORCE TIRE BALANCED AND STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS IS ALL
  • 2012 ACURA TSX SPORTS WAGON (~31K MILES) - FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING (EPS). LAST WEEK I PARKED THE VEHICLE WITH WHEELS TURNED TO THE LEFT AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR AFTER FEW MINUTES, THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF, RESTARTED IT AGAIN AND THE POWER STEERING CAME
  • WHILE OUT ON A SHOPPING TRIP I STARTED THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR AND ALARM DISPLAYED. I COULD NOT TURN THE WHEEL OF THE CAR TO EXIT MY PARKING SPACE SO I CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO MUSCLE THE CAR ONTO THE FLATBED. MY MECHANIC'S DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

STEERING VIBRATES FROM 45 TO 75MPH, DEALER HAS TEST DROVE AND ALSO FELT THE VIBRATION, AND TOLD THAT IS THE TSX WAGON CHARACTISTIC, AND REFUSED TO DO A FURTHER DIAGNOSE. 2 WHEEL ALIGNMENT FOR THE 1ST 2 WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP THEN 2 ROAD FORCE TIRE BALANCED AND STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS IS ALL

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Acura TSX SPORT WAGON

Based on 13 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 67K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
2
30-60K
3
60-100K
5
100-150K
3
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 64K mi · 10 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
3
60-100K
4
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE27/06/2019

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.

Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Acura TSX SPORT WAGON

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,971
Full coverage / month
$164
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+18%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Acura TSX SPORT WAGON Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
36 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
100K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

Uses Maintenance Minder — actual intervals adjust based on driving conditions. Values shown are typical.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Acura New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
6 yr / 70K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / 50K mi

Includes 3 years complimentary maintenance for 2025+

These are the terms for a new Acura. If you're buying a used 2012 TSX SPORT WAGON, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Acura dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)
$500
SUSPENSION(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 16 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • STEERING: STEERING VIBRATES FROM 45 TO 75MPH, DEALER HAS TEST DROVE AND ALSO FELT THE VIBRATION, AND TOLD THAT IS THE TSX WAGON CHARACTISTIC, AND REFUSED TO DO A FURTHER DIAGNOSE. 2 WHEEL ALIGNMENT FOR THE 1ST 2 WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP THEN 2 ROAD FORCE TIRE BALANCED AND STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS IS ALL

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR IN FRONT SLOWS DOWN, I LET OFF OF ACCELERATOR, THEN PRESS DOWN ON ACCELERATOR AGAIN WHEN APPROPRIATE, THE CAR STALLS AND THEN LEAPS FORWARD. THIS CAUSES AN IMMEDIATE PROBLEM AND THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED OR THE CAR IN FRONT GETS REAR ENDED. THE ACURA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR IN FRONT SLOWS DOWN, I LET OFF OF ACCELERATOR, THEN PRESS DOWN ON ACCELERATOR AGAIN WHEN APPROPRIATE, THE CAR STALLS AND THEN LEAPS FORWARD. THIS CAUSES AN IMMEDIATE PROBLEM AND THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED OR THE CAR IN FRONT GETS REAR ENDED. THE ACURA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • SPEED CONTROL: WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR IN FRONT SLOWS DOWN, I LET OFF OF ACCELERATOR, THEN PRESS DOWN ON ACCELERATOR AGAIN WHEN APPROPRIATE, THE CAR STALLS AND THEN LEAPS FORWARD. THIS CAUSES AN IMMEDIATE PROBLEM AND THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE APPLIED OR THE CAR IN FRONT GETS REAR ENDED. THE ACURA

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Acura dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Acura TSX SPORT WAGON — Year Comparison

How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
16
Recalls
4
Fire reports
0
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
16

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Acura TSX SPORT WAGON