2012 Acura TSX SPORT WAGON: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
67,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 12 complaints (83.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 10 | 83.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 8.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 10 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
| Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly | 1 |
Steering: 10; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Suspension: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1; Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
2012: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 3
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10443613 · 2012-01-12 (January 12, 2012)
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 DEALER TELLS ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, BUT, THEY CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE ACURA WON'T FIX IT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10443613 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10455306 · 2012-04-15 (April 15, 2012)
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 HAPPENED IN 4 WEEKS. THE STEERING VIBRATION COULD CAUSE BY BAD MOTOR MOUNT, TRANSMISSION MOUNT, AXELS, BAD SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, BAD ROTORS. NEW CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY STEERING VIBRATION, SPECIALLY ON HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10704088 · 2015-04-06 (April 6, 2015)
DRIVING MY CAR HOME, NO OTHER TRAFFIC CLOSE BY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP, THEN A SECOND POP. BOTH SOUNDED LIKE AN IMPACT FROM SOMETHING, BUT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING AROUND. I FELT COOL AIR ON THE BACK OF MY NECK, OPENED THE SUNROOF SHADE AND SAW THAT MY GLASS WAS SHATTERED. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I COULD HEAR A CRACKLING SOUND THAT PERSISTED UNTIL I WAS HOME. UPON EXAMINATION, THERE WAS NO IMPACT MARKS, THE SUNROOF GLASS WAS SHATTERED, BOWED OUTWARD. WE PLACED PACKING TAPE OVER THE GLASS TO KEEP IT INTACT. I WAS GOING 55 MILES AN HOUR WHEN THIS HAPPEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10704088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10865611 · 2016-05-18 (May 18, 2016)
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 BACK. DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AGAIN (COMPLETE FAILURE) A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET WITH MY FAMILY. I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL "JERK" TO LEFT AND RIGHT AND THEN A COMPLETE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING.…
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10865611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10972316 · 2017-04-13 (April 13, 2017)
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 INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MODULE HAD FAILED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. THE CAR HAS 59K MILES AND IS WELL MAINTAINED. THE WEATHER WHEN THIS OCCURRED WAS CLEAR. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH ACUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10972316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11016381 · 2017-08-20 (August 20, 2017)
LUCKILY I WAS MAKING A VERY SLOW LEFT TURN WHEN MY POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED IN MY ACURA TSX WAGON. I WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE SITTING HERE WRITING ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE IF I WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED. MY HEART WAS POUNDING OUT OF MY CHEST AS A STRUGGLED TO PULL OVER. THIS IS SO UNACCEPTABLE AND THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11016381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11064150 · 2018-01-22 (January 22, 2018)
VEHICLES ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CONTROL UNIT FAILED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BUT BECAME INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE ON THESE CARS WITH SIMILAR MILEAGE (73,000). ACURA WILL NOT HONOR THE PART AND OWNERS HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064150 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11119424 · 2018-08-12 (August 12, 2018)
DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON RESIDENTIAL COLLECTOR ROAD POWER STEERING FAILURE MESSAGE APPEARED AND STEERING WHEEL INSTANTLY BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. FORTUNATE ABLE TO WRESTLE STEERING AND TURN INTO RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODCOMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. TURNED CAR OFF TO INVESTIGATE ISSUE. UPON TURNING CAR BACK ON NO FAILURE LIGHT APPEARED AND NOW APPEARS OK TO DRIVE? IT WILL BE TAKEN TO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT LIKELY THIS IS THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT. IF THIS HAPPENED SUDDENLY ON A A HIGHER SPEED TURN OR CURVE DRIFTING I…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,860 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119424 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V030000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, 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, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, 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 inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V042000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2018-01-09 (January 9, 2018)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, 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 or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V378000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-05-16 (May 16, 2019)
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Consequence: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V502000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-06-27 (June 27, 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.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗