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U.S. public vehicle records

2012 Acura TSX: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

133 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

72,277 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 106 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 99 of 133 complaints (74.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior10075.2%
Braking behavior129.0%
Electrical and battery issues107.5%
Engine operation32.3%
Transmission and shifting21.5%
Fuel system concerns10.8%

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.

Steering
99
Electrical System
15
Service Brakes
9
Air Bags
6
Engine
6
Power Train
5
Structure:Body
4
Unknown Or Other
4
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering99
Electrical System15
Service Brakes9
Air Bags6
Engine6
Power Train5
Structure:Body4
Unknown Or Other4

Steering: 99; Electrical System: 15; Service Brakes: 9; Air Bags: 6; Engine: 6; Power Train: 5; Structure:Body: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
11
25,000 to 49,999
7
50,000 to 74,999
39
75,000 to 99,999
33
100,000 to 149,999
13
150,000 and above
3
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00011
25,000 to 49,9997
50,000 to 74,99939
75,000 to 99,99933
100,000 to 149,99913
150,000 and above3

Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 39; 75,000 to 99,999: 33; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 3

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (39). 27 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.

2013
4
2014
3
2015
3
2016
6
2017
17
2018
47
2019
20
2020
14
2021
2
2022
6
2023
3
2024
2
2025
4
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20134
20143
20153
20166
201717
201847
201920
202014
20212
20226
20233
20242
20254
20262

2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 6; 2017: 17; 2018: 47; 2019: 20; 2020: 14; 2021: 2; 2022: 6; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 4; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 100 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 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 10494674 · 2013-01-25 (January 25, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED BETWEEN 3500 AND 4200, THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT A MOMENTARY DELAY BEFORE RESPONDING AND CONTINUING NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN BOTH AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL MODE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,750 WAS AND THE CUR…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10494674 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10496006 · 2013-01-31 (January 31, 2013)

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED BETWEEN 4000 AND 4200, THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT A MOMENTARY DELAY BEFORE RESPONDING AND CONTINUING NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN BOTH AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL MODE. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE CAR IS IN UPSIDE A HILL, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,800 WAS AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,906. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 4,906 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496006 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10502566 · 2013-03-12 (March 12, 2013)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 938 miles reported. Look up ODI 10502566 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10513273 · 2013-05-23 (May 23, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10513273 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10614650 · 2014-07-18 (July 18, 2014)

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED IT MAKES A NOISE AS IF MY CAR WAS ALREADY STARTED AND I WAS TRYING TO START IT AGAIN. HAPPENS WHEN CAR HAS SAT FOR A FEW HOURS. IF THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATED FAST IT SMELLS AS IF SOMETHING IS BURNING. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10614650 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10626545 · 2014-08-20 (August 20, 2014)

ON 7/3/2013, I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE BECAUSE IT HAD DEMONSTRATED SEVERAL EPISODES OF ENGINE HESITATION. I HAVE ALWAYS USED PREMIUM GAS. THE CAR WAS CHECKED, BUT THE SYMPTOMS WERE NOT OBSERVED AND NO CAUSE COULD BE DETERMINED. ON 9/19/2013, I RETURNED FOR AN OIL CHANGE (ANNUAL SERVICE) AND ALSO ASKED IF ANY ENGINE HESITATION SERVICE BULLETINS OR ADVISOR'S HAD BEEN ISSUED. NONE HAD BEEN. THESE EPISODES: ?HAVE OCCURRED ABOUT 15 TIMES WHILE OWNING THE CAR. ?HAVE ALL OCCURRED WHEN ACCELERATING MODERATELY FROM BELOW 20 M…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10626545 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10644740 · 2014-10-15 (October 15, 2014)

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL EPISODES OF ENGINE HESITATION. I HAVE ALWAYS USED PREMIUM GAS. I RETURNED FOR AN OIL CHANGE (ANNUAL SERVICE) AND ALSO ASKED IF ANY ENGINE HESITATION SERVICE BULLETINS OR ADVISORIES HAD BEEN ISSUED. NONE HAD BEEN. THESE EPISODES HAVE OCCURRED ABOUT 20 TIMES WITH THE CAR. IT ALWAYS OCCURRED WHEN ACCELERATING MODERATELY FROM BELOW 20 MILES AN HOUR. IT LAST FROM 2 TO 3 SECONDS, WHILE THE ENGINE DOES NOTHING. THE HESITATION CANNOT BE SUMMONED UPON DEMAND. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE HESITATION HAS PUT ME AT RISK OF COLLISION, WHERE I …

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10644740 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10678768 · 2015-01-25 (January 25, 2015)

I WAS TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE MY BRAKES. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH 2012 TSX AT 28K MILES? *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10678768 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 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 ↗
17V545000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-08-31 (August 31, 2017)

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.

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 ↗
18V661000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2018-09-27 (September 27, 2018)

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.

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 November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.

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 ↗