2004 Acura TSX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
142 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
62,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 103 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 142 complaints (19.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 22 | 15.5% |
| Steering behavior | 17 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 10.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 7.7% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 28 |
| Air Bags | 21 |
| Steering | 12 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 9 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | 9 |
| Seats | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 |
Electrical System: 28; Air Bags: 21; Steering: 12; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 9; Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust: 9; Seats: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Exterior Lighting: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 27 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 25 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 27; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 7
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (27). 39 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2003: 3; 2004: 18; 2005: 15; 2006: 8; 2007: 5; 2008: 6; 2009: 10; 2010: 22; 2011: 6; 2012: 6; 2013: 5; 2014: 5; 2015: 4; 2016: 5; 2017: 2; 2018: 4; 2019: 2; 2020: 3; 2021: 5; 2022: 4; 2023: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 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 10041215 · 2003-10-04 (October 4, 2003)
THE ACTUAL CAPACITY OF THE FUEL TANK ON A 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY MAY NOT BE THE SAME AS STATED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL: THE OWNERS MANUAL OF A 2004 HONDA ODYSSEY STATED 20 GAL TANK CAPACITY. BUT DURING MY FIRST WEEK OF DRIVING THIS 2004 ODYSSEY - THE LOW FUEL LIGHT INDICATOR LIT UP AT 194 MILES AFTER DRIVING AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I RE-FUELED THE VEHICLE WITH A TOTAL OF 15.43 GAL WILL PUT THE TANK METER TO FULL. QUESTION: DOES THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT COME ON WHEN THERE IS ABOUT 4.53 GAL OF GAS STILL IN THE TANK. OR IT THE TANK CAPACITY IS L…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051385 · 2003-12-30 (December 30, 2003)
DRIVER SEAT ROCKS LEFT AND RIGHT WHEN TURNING. DRIVER SEAT SLIDES FORWARD 1 TO 2 INCHES UPON HEAVY BREAKING.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051870 · 2003-12-22 (December 22, 2003)
WHILE PROCEEDING TO ENTER THE INTERSTATE TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058551 · 2004-02-20 (February 20, 2004)
ENTIRE SEAT MOVES 1/4 TO 1/2 INCH WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058867 · 2004-02-24 (February 24, 2004)
ELECTRIC DRIVERS SEAT SHIFTS 1 TO 2 INCHES FORWARD DURRING MODERATE TO HARD BREAKING. I HAVE ALREADY BROUGHT THE CAR IN ONE TIME TO FIX IT. IT WAS FINE FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. IT FEELS VERY UNSAFE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063745 · 2004-03-23 (March 23, 2004)
SEAT MOVES DURING HARD TURNS AND BRAKING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10063745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065754 · 2004-04-08 (April 8, 2004)
DRIVERS SEAT MOVES/SLIDS WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING CORNERS. VERY ANNOYING, UNCOMFORTABLE AND HAD A NEAR ACCIDENT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065754 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065771 · 2004-04-08 (April 8, 2004)
DRIVER'S SEAT SHIFTS FORWARD UPON BREAKING, AND LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN TURNING AT ANY SPEED. THIS PROBLEM WAS IN CONJUNCTION WITH A BROKEN PLASTIC PANEL IN THE SEAT BASE, WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FIXED ON THE THIRD REPAIR. SEAT SHIFT WAS FINALLY FIXED AFTER THE THIRD REPAIR. NOW, 4 WEEKS LATER, THE PROBLEM IS BACK. PLASTIC PANEL FIRST BROKE WITH SEAT SHIFT, ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE, 10/06/03. IT WAS IN REPAIR FOUR TIMES, WITH THE ENTIRE SEAT HAVING BEEN SWAPPED OUT WITH THAT OF A LOANER CAR. AT SIX MONTHS, I HAVE APPROX. 2800 MILES, AND THE SEAT SHIFT…
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065771 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V429000 · Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
Reported: 2004-09-03 (September 3, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS, THE WIRE HARNESS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK HINGE AREA IS NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECTED AND OVER TIME COULD BE DAMAGED WHEN THE TRUNK IS OPENED AND CLOSED.
Consequence: A DAMAGED HARNESS CAN CAUSE A BLOWN FUSE, A SHORT CIRCUIT AND IT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, BACK-UP LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHT FUNCTION. LOSS OF A TAIL LIGHT COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HARNESS AND IF ANY DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO DAMAGE IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL INSTALL CORRUGATED PLASTIC TUBING OVER THE HARNESS TO PREVENT FUTURE DAMAGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V174000 · Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections
Reported: 2010-04-29 (April 29, 2010)
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 ACURA TSX PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 25, 2002 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008. PROLONGED HIGH UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY AND MAY CAUSE THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING OIL.
Consequence: OIL LEAKING ONTO A HOT EXHAUST PIPE WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND A BURNING SMELL, AND COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.
Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MAY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA CLIENT SERVICES AT 1-800-382-2238.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V093000 · Electrical System | Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2013-03-15 (March 15, 2013)
Honda is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Acura TSX vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In states that use corrosive materials for deicing, driver's footwear may bring in materials that saturate the vehicle's carpeting, which is in contact with the vehicle's engine Electronic Control Unit (ECU). As a result, the ECU case may experience rust or corrosion. This damage may potentially cause the engine to stall.
Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and Acura dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any damaged ECU, free of charge. All vehicles will have a waterproof cover installed onto the ECU, free of charge. The recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1-800-382-2238 and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.acura.com.
NHTSA campaign record ↗