There’s a lot to love about the Acura TSX. All of its model years have something great to offer, from advanced safety features and superb fuel efficiency to great steering and excellent engine performance. Even its resale value is good. You can get a used 2014 TSX that’s in good condition for anywhere between $11,000 and $14,000 according to Edmunds.com.
The Acura TSX enjoys excellent reliability ratings, with some of its model years scoring better than others. RepairPal gave it a rating of 4.5 out of 5.0, ranking it 2nd out of the 31 luxury midsize cars in its category. Meanwhile, J.D. Power rated the 2013 Acura TSX a 76/100.
US News & World Report ranked the 2014 Acura TSX second out of 18 vehicles in the luxury midsize car market. Judging from these figures, it’s apparent that with careful handling and regular maintenance, the Acura TSX can easily enjoy a long service life.
Although the Acura TSX is one dependable luxury midsize car, it still has its fair share of problems. Here are the most commonly reported issues for different model years:
Power steering failure is among the most reported 2012 Acura TSX problems. Some owners recall their power steering stopping abruptly while driving, while others have noticed that their check power steering system light illuminated before their vehicle became difficult to steer.
Replacing the EPS unit or the circuit board fixed this problem in some affected vehicles. Although this issue is a common safety issue for units belonging to this model year, Acura has not issued any related recalls as of this writing.
According to owners of the 2012 Acura TSX, problems with its tire pressure sensor are common for some units of this model year. The low tire warning light would reportedly activate despite the tire pressure being accurate. Replacing the faulty tire pressure sensors with new ones is a common fix for this problem.
Some owners of the 2010 Acura TSX have complained about a variety of engine problems. These usually happen during winter when the engine becomes colder than usual. In one case, a driver experienced engine trouble with a vehicle that only had 22,000 miles on the odometer.
Affected vehicles may refuse to turn on at cold starts. They may also produce rattling noises and need a jump start to get going. Once owners brought their car to the dealer, they were told the noise was caused by a bad VTC actuator. Replacing the failed actuator is a common fix for this issue.
According to some owners of the 2009 Acura TSX, problems with its oil consumption are common for the model year. Some owners have noticed that their check oil and engine light are activated often, signaling a need to get their car’s engine oil checked or refilled.
One driver recalls that their oil percentage would read 70/60, while the dipstick underneath the hood would read no oil at all. Others report burning as much as a quart and a half of oil every 1,000 miles.
Although there have been no recalls to address this issue, some Acura dealerships may cover repairs related to excessive engine oil consumption. It’s best to check the warranty coverage provided by your dealer.
Some owners of the 2009 Acura TSX have complained about premature brake wear. Drivers report that their brake pedal often feels soft or loose when depressed. In some cases, the pedal loses pressure after sudden application while driving over a road hump and doesn’t engage until pushed low or pumped. This can last for several hours or all day.
Bleeding the brakes should help fix these problems. Some vehicles may develop a soft, low brake pedal due to a faulty vehicle stability assist (VSA) modular control unit. In this case, a VSA unit replacement may be needed.
Although complaints from those who drive a 2004 Acura TSX are fewer compared to other model years, some owners experienced one of its worst problems yet—transmission failure. One owner reports that the first sign of trouble appeared when their car started shifting roughly. After some time, the issue escalated and their vehicle refused to accelerate above 20 miles per hour.
Though this issue can be fixed, transmission repairs are often complex and costly. Some drivers were able to get their car back on the road after a transmission replacement.
As with any vehicle, how long Acura TSX models last will depend on several factors. How you drive, how often you drive, and how well you keep up with its maintenance schedule will determine how many miles you can get out of your Acura TSX.
On average, you can expect the Acura TSX to last anywhere between 250,000 to 300,000 miles, with some owners claiming their car is still going strong even after 350,000 miles.
If you’re in the market for your very own Acura TSX, you might want to avoid some of its early models, such as the 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2009. Many owners experienced issues with their transmission, engine, and brake system, all of which amount to some pretty heavy repair bills.
Be wary of the 2010 and 2012 model years too. According to carcomplaints.com, the 2010 Acura TSX had the highest number of complaints, with most of them related to poor fuel economy. Despite this, however, they ranked the 2012 Acura TSX as the worst model year because its issues popped up at lower mileage and had higher repair costs.
With the worst Acura TSX model years out of the way, it’s time to dive into which model years are actually worth your money.
According to carcomplaints.com, the Acura TSX 2007, 2013, and 2014 received the least amount of complaints. Edmunds.com gave the 2007 Acura TSX a rating of 4.9 out of 5, while the 2013 and 2014 model years received a 4.8 out of 5-star ranking on Kelley Blue Book.
All three look promising, but the 2014 Acura TSX is a great choice if you’re looking for a spacious sedan with sleek exterior styling.
Aside from these models, many Acura enthusiasts are also fascinated by the 2012 redesign, particularly the 2012 Acura TSX Special Edition, which was released to commemorate the model’s 25th anniversary.
The special edition Acura sported the same 2.4L four-cylinder engine as the others, but it had a six-speed manual transmission that captured the attention of stick shift fans.
Changes to the special edition Acura were subtle and striking at the same time, which included a more aggressive front and rear design, special edition badging, as well as a set of 17-inch alloy wheels.
If you’re in the market for an Acura TSX, be prepared to embrace the good and the potential bad. By doing your research and talking to other car owners about their experience with the TSX, buying it should come with little risk.
The 2014 redesign served as the Acura’s swan song. It was eventually replaced with the Acura TLX, which is a slightly bigger and luxurious sedan.
The TLX proved to be more profitable than the TSX, leading the automaker to discontinue the latter.
The TSX only lasted for two generations before it disappeared from the market, but it’s safe to say that the model was received with so much enthusiasm from its owners.
The TSX, particularly the 2009-2011 models, were recorded to have zero crash and rollover death rates. These model years also recorded the second lowest death rates per million registered years.
The Honda Accord is considered to be one of the Acura TSX’s toughest competitors, sparking a long-standing debate as to which model is better.
On one hand, the Acura TSX has a lower pricing range for one to five-year-old cars and has a better interior volume and base engine power than the Accord.
On the other hand, the Accord is more fuel efficient than the TSX.
In terms of passenger space, both the Acura and Accord have remarkable dimensions for interior volume. However, the Accord slightly edges the Acura TSX in terms of front and rear head, shoulder, and leg room, as well as cargo space.
Shopping for replacement parts, accessories, and upgrades is extremely easy here at CarParts.com. We have a great selection of direct-fit parts for your TSX, taking the guesswork out of finding compatible products for your ride.
Quality is our priority, which is why we only offer products from today’s top parts manufacturers. These components are engineered to spec in world-class facilities and have been vetted by our team of industry experts to ensure their performance and reliability.
Enter your vehicle’s specifications into our vehicle selector to start shopping for your Acura TSX. You may also use the search filters to narrow down the catalog according to your preferred brand or price range.
Complete repairs in no time by shopping for replacement parts online. All our products come with a low-price guarantee, so you don’t have to spend a fortune on repairs. Shop now, and we’ll deliver the parts you need straight to your doorstep in as fast as two business days.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
View Comments
My 2012 Acura TSX has 249K miles as of January 2024.... still beautiful and rides like a beast at the same time
I have a 08 TSX & it's been a good car. I keep oil changed. I also change the transmission fluid. I think that it's needed if you keep the car. I have a 170 thousand miles with min. repair. I just tuned it up, brake & rotors. Right after that I had to get a new starter. That's not bad for the mileage.