
2012 Acura TSX
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Acura TSX has 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.0x the segment average of 52. 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. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.
157
Total Complaints
6
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
3.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
STEERING
99 complaints- • 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
“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
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Acura TSX
Based on 124 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 73K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
STEERING
ELECTRICAL
BRAKES
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 (6)
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 Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher 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 November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Acura TSX
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Acura TSX
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Acura TSX Service Intervals
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
Includes 3 years complimentary maintenance for 2025+
These are the terms for a new Acura. If you're buying a used 2012 TSX, 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
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
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Acura dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Acura TSX — 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
- 157
- Recalls
- 6
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 6
- Injury reports
- 2
- Segment avg
- 52
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Acura TSX