2013 Acura TSX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Acura TSX has 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is steering problems (48% of all complaints), specifically: eps steering issues first reported to acura approximately 250 miles. hood vibration issues at 3800 miles. electronic power steering stability tracking issues, automobile cannot be driven in straight line. the eps system in this vin platform and many other manufacturers has serious & well documente.

2 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

STEERING

19 complaints

48%

• EPS STEERING ISSUES FIRST REPORTED TO ACURA APPROXIMATELY 250 MILES. HOOD VIBRATION ISSUES AT 3800 MILES. ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING STABILITY TRACKING ISSUES, AUTOMOBILE CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN STRAIGHT LINE. THE EPS SYSTEM IN THIS VIN PLATFORM AND MANY OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAS SERIOUS & WELL DOCUMENTE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WARING LIGHT ILLUMINATED.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT
• TAKATA RECALL I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY LITTLE BROTHER FROM 4TH OF JULY ACTIVITIES WHEN THE POWER STEERING EPS SYSTEM GAVE OUT. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. BESIDES MY CAR ONLY HAVING 61,000 MILES, THIS COULD HAVE ENDED VERY BAD AS I WAS ON A VERY BUSY ROAD. MY CAR

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

“EPS STEERING ISSUES FIRST REPORTED TO ACURA APPROXIMATELY 250 MILES. HOOD VIBRATION ISSUES AT 3800 MILES. ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING STABILITY TRACKING ISSUES, AUTOMOBILE CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN STRAIGHT LINE. THE EPS SYSTEM IN THIS VIN PLATFORM AND MANY OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAS SERIOUS & WELL DOCUMENTE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

5 complaints

13%

• TAKATA RECALL, I RECEIVED A LETTER BY MAIL THAT MY CAR HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA RECALL
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V042000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALE
• CANNOT TURN WHEEL, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT

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

“TAKATA RECALL, I RECEIVED A LETTER BY MAIL THAT MY CAR HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA RECALL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

3 complaints

• EPS STEERING ISSUES FIRST REPORTED TO ACURA APPROXIMATELY 250 MILES. HOOD VIBRATION ISSUES AT 3800 MILES. ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING STABILITY TRACKING ISSUES, AUTOMOBILE CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN STRAIGHT LINE. THE EPS SYSTEM IN THIS VIN PLATFORM AND MANY OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAS SERIOUS & WELL DOCUMENTE
• 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. W
• 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.

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

• ACURA INSULATION ON ELECTRICAL WIRES ATTRACT RODENTS. 3 WIRES WERE CHEWED UP BY RODENTS. $380 TO REPAIR.
• 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
• 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.

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

“ACURA INSULATION ON ELECTRICAL WIRES ATTRACT RODENTS. 3 WIRES WERE CHEWED UP BY RODENTS. $380 TO REPAIR.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TIRES

2 complaints

• 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
• 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.

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

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TIRES(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 40 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: EPS STEERING ISSUES FIRST REPORTED TO ACURA APPROXIMATELY 250 MILES. HOOD VIBRATION ISSUES AT 3800 MILES. ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING STABILITY TRACKING ISSUES, AUTOMOBILE CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN STRAIGHT LINE. THE EPS SYSTEM IN THIS VIN PLATFORM AND MANY OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAS SERIOUS & WELL DOCUMENTE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL, I RECEIVED A LETTER BY MAIL THAT MY CAR HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA RECALL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: EPS STEERING ISSUES FIRST REPORTED TO ACURA APPROXIMATELY 250 MILES. HOOD VIBRATION ISSUES AT 3800 MILES. ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING STABILITY TRACKING ISSUES, AUTOMOBILE CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN STRAIGHT LINE. THE EPS SYSTEM IN THIS VIN PLATFORM AND MANY OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAS SERIOUS & WELL DOCUMENTE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: ACURA INSULATION ON ELECTRICAL WIRES ATTRACT RODENTS. 3 WIRES WERE CHEWED UP BY RODENTS. $380 TO REPAIR.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)