2012 Acura TSX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Acura TSX has 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.0x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is steering problems (63% of all complaints), specifically: upon starting vehicle i noticed intermittent "check power steering system". during drive cycle i encountered failure of electric power steering assist, very difficult to steer vehicle. went to dealer for service, they witnessed same symptoms stated above, but intermittent check light will not produc.

6 crash reports 2 injuries

157

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

STEERING

99 complaints

63%

• UPON STARTING VEHICLE I NOTICED INTERMITTENT "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". DURING DRIVE CYCLE I ENCOUNTERED FAILURE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. WENT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, THEY WITNESSED SAME SYMPTOMS STATED ABOVE, BUT INTERMITTENT CHECK LIGHT WILL NOT PRODUC
• MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, WHO'S LEARNING TO DRIVE WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL WHEN THE CAR STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T ALLOW HER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY WE HADN'T APPROACHED THE HIGHWAY YET OR WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEW
• EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND LOCK STEERING. ERROR CODE: 32-09. EPS LIGHT WILL TURN OFF AFTER RESTART ENGINE BUT WILL COME ON AGAIN AND LOCK STEERING AGAIN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO LOCAL SHOP TO RUN DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY SUGGEST THAT THIS IS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“UPON STARTING VEHICLE I NOTICED INTERMITTENT "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". DURING DRIVE CYCLE I ENCOUNTERED FAILURE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. WENT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, THEY WITNESSED SAME SYMPTOMS STATED ABOVE, BUT INTERMITTENT CHECK LIGHT WILL NOT PRODUC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

16 complaints

10%

• UPON STARTING VEHICLE I NOTICED INTERMITTENT "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". DURING DRIVE CYCLE I ENCOUNTERED FAILURE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. WENT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, THEY WITNESSED SAME SYMPTOMS STATED ABOVE, BUT INTERMITTENT CHECK LIGHT WILL NOT PRODUC
• I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE SNOW AND SLID INTO THE GUARDRAIL WHILE TURNING. NOT MUCH BODY DAMAGE, BUT THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED. WAS STUCK IN THE ROAD FOR 2 HOURS WITH THE POLICE HAVING TO BLOCK OFF AROUND ME. HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING WITH IT BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS E
• WHILE DRIVING ON THE BUSIEST FREEWAY IN CLEVELAND, OHIO (7/23/17); AN ERROR POPPED UP ON MY ACURA TSX SAYING "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM," AND I IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER STEERING OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE WHEEL (WITH GREAT FORCE) TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND READ THE OWNER'S MANUAL. I

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

9 complaints

• I WAS TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE MY BRAKES. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH 2012 TSX AT 28K MILES? *TR
• FIRST THING IN THE COLD MORNING MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOLID, NO MOVEMENT WHEN I PRESS IT, AND THUS NO BRAKES. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME, BUT THE FIRST TIME (A WEEK AGO) I THOUGHT I DID SOMETHING WRONG BECAUSE IT WENT AWAY QUICKLY. THIS MORNING I ALMOST DROVE INTO TRAFFIC. AND AFTER I ENTERED THE ROAD, IT TO
• POWER BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE STICKS IN COLD WEATHER NEGATING POWER ASSISTANCE. THIS CAME TO MY ATTENTION WITH SEATTLE'S RECENT COLD SPELL (FEB 2019). CHECK VALVE LOCATED WITHIN MASTER TUBE ASSEMBLY (46402-TL2-A11) WHICH IS ON BACKORDER ACROSS ALL STATES THAT EXPERIENCE WINTER WEATHER. I'VE SPOKEN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“I WAS TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE MY BRAKES. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH 2012 TSX AT 28K MILES? *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

6 complaints

• FRONT END DAMAGE BOTH SIDES DAMAGED AIR BAGS DID NOT COME ON WIFE DIED, DEALER SAY BAGS OK BUT DIDNT KNOW WHY THEY DIDNT COME ON. *TR
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER SOLD THE VEHICLE WITHOUT DISCLOSING THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IN THE PAST, WHICH CAUSED THE SRS INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SELLER WHO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED DEALER
• THERE IS A LIGHT IS SHOWING "CHECK THE AIRBAG SYSTEMS. THIS JUST START ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO. WHAT HAPPENS? *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“FRONT END DAMAGE BOTH SIDES DAMAGED AIR BAGS DID NOT COME ON WIFE DIED, DEALER SAY BAGS OK BUT DIDNT KNOW WHY THEY DIDNT COME ON. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

6 complaints

• WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED IT MAKES A NOISE AS IF MY CAR WAS ALREADY STARTED AND I WAS TRYING TO START IT AGAIN. HAPPENS WHEN CAR HAS SAT FOR A FEW HOURS. IF THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATED FAST IT SMELLS AS IF SOMETHING IS BURNING. *TR
• ON 7/3/2013, I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE BECAUSE IT HAD DEMONSTRATED SEVERAL EPISODES OF ENGINE HESITATION. I HAVE ALWAYS USED PREMIUM GAS. THE CAR WAS CHECKED, BUT THE SYMPTOMS WERE NOT OBSERVED AND NO CAUSE COULD BE DETERMINED. ON 9/19/2013, I RETURNED FOR AN OIL CHANGE (ANNUAL
• I HAVE HAD SEVERAL EPISODES OF ENGINE HESITATION. I HAVE ALWAYS USED PREMIUM GAS. I RETURNED FOR AN OIL CHANGE (ANNUAL SERVICE) AND ALSO ASKED IF ANY ENGINE HESITATION SERVICE BULLETINS OR ADVISORIES HAD BEEN ISSUED. NONE HAD BEEN. THESE EPISODES HAVE OCCURRED ABOUT 20 TIMES WITH THE CAR. IT ALWAYS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED IT MAKES A NOISE AS IF MY CAR WAS ALREADY STARTED AND I WAS TRYING TO START IT AGAIN. HAPPENS WHEN CAR HAS SAT FOR A FEW HOURS. IF THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATED FAST IT SMELLS AS IF SOMETHING IS BURNING. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 157 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: UPON STARTING VEHICLE I NOTICED INTERMITTENT "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". DURING DRIVE CYCLE I ENCOUNTERED FAILURE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. WENT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, THEY WITNESSED SAME SYMPTOMS STATED ABOVE, BUT INTERMITTENT CHECK LIGHT WILL NOT PRODUC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: UPON STARTING VEHICLE I NOTICED INTERMITTENT "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". DURING DRIVE CYCLE I ENCOUNTERED FAILURE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. WENT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, THEY WITNESSED SAME SYMPTOMS STATED ABOVE, BUT INTERMITTENT CHECK LIGHT WILL NOT PRODUC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: I WAS TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE MY BRAKES. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH 2012 TSX AT 28K MILES? *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: FRONT END DAMAGE BOTH SIDES DAMAGED AIR BAGS DID NOT COME ON WIFE DIED, DEALER SAY BAGS OK BUT DIDNT KNOW WHY THEY DIDNT COME ON. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)