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2012 Acura TSX Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20266 Critical Recalls
Ethan Miller
2012 Acura TSX Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2012 Acura TSX has 154 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve steering and electrical system.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.2/ 10

Based on 154 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

STEERING

98 63.6%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

15 9.7%

SERVICE BRAKES

8 5.2%

ENGINE

6 3.9%

POWER TRAIN

5 3.2%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is STEERING, accounting for 63.6% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 16 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2012 Acura TSX

The 2012 Acura TSX has 154 owner complaints in this dataset. STEERING is the most common complaint category, representing about 64% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2012 Acura TSX are STEERING (98), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (15), SERVICE BRAKES (8).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 137 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2012 Acura TSX?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2011 TSX complaints2013 TSX complaints2014 TSX complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 16 of 16 systems

STEERING

98 Reports64% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

UPON STARTING VEHICLE I NOTICED INTERMITTENT "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". DURING DRIVE CYCLE I ENCOUNTERED FAILURE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. WENT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, THEY WITNESSED SAME SYMPTOMS STATED ABOVE, BUT INTERMITTENT CHECK LIGHT WILL NOT PRODUCE A FAULT CODE, TECHNICIAN STATED IT SEEMS LIKE A GROUND PROBLEM. UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE DUE TO UNSAFE CONDITION, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AVOID AN EMERGENCY WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF FORCE NEEDED TO STEER VEHICLE.

8/21/2015

MY 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, WHO'S LEARNING TO DRIVE WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL WHEN THE CAR STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T ALLOW HER TO TURN THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY WE HADN'T APPROACHED THE HIGHWAY YET OR WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY AND SHE SAID THE WHEEL FELT FUNNY. WE WERE A MILE FROM OUR HOME ENTERING A ROUND AND HEADING ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHEN SHE SAID THE WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN AND SHE PANICKED. I GRABBED THE WHEEL AND IT WOULDN'T BUDGE. WE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE ROUND ABOUT AND THANK GOD NO ONE WAS ENTERING OR EXITING IT. I HAD TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AFTER SHE STOPPED THE CAR THAT WAS SIDEWAYS IN THE STREET. *TR

10/20/2016

96 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

15 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

UPON STARTING VEHICLE I NOTICED INTERMITTENT "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". DURING DRIVE CYCLE I ENCOUNTERED FAILURE OF ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSIST, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. WENT TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, THEY WITNESSED SAME SYMPTOMS STATED ABOVE, BUT INTERMITTENT CHECK LIGHT WILL NOT PRODUCE A FAULT CODE, TECHNICIAN STATED IT SEEMS LIKE A GROUND PROBLEM. UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE DUE TO UNSAFE CONDITION, VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AVOID AN EMERGENCY WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF FORCE NEEDED TO STEER VEHICLE.

8/21/2015

I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE SNOW AND SLID INTO THE GUARDRAIL WHILE TURNING. NOT MUCH BODY DAMAGE, BUT THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED. WAS STUCK IN THE ROAD FOR 2 HOURS WITH THE POLICE HAVING TO BLOCK OFF AROUND ME. HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING WITH IT BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL AND COULD NOT CLEAR THE CODE THAT WAS COMING UP AND NEEDED TO GO THE DEALERSHIP.HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE REPLACING THE STEERING.

1/14/2017

13 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

8 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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

1/25/2015

FIRST THING IN THE COLD MORNING MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS SOLID, NO MOVEMENT WHEN I PRESS IT, AND THUS NO BRAKES. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME, BUT THE FIRST TIME (A WEEK AGO) I THOUGHT I DID SOMETHING WRONG BECAUSE IT WENT AWAY QUICKLY. THIS MORNING I ALMOST DROVE INTO TRAFFIC. AND AFTER I ENTERED THE ROAD, IT TOOK A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE BRAKES RETURNED TO NORMAL. I'M GUESSING THERE IS SOME MOISTURE IN THE BRAKE LINE THAT IS FROZEN AND EVENTUALLY IT THAWS AND THE BRAKES RETURN. *TR

1/26/2015

6 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

6 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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

7/18/2014

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 MILES AN HOUR. ?HAVE OCCURRED UNDER ALL COMBINATIONS OF ENGINE AND AIR TEMPERATURES. ?LAST FROM 2 TO 3 SECONDS, WHILE THE ENGINE DOES NOTHING. ?ARE INTERMITTENT AND CANNOT BE SUMMONED UPON DEMAND. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE HESITATION HAS PUT ME AT RISK OF COLLISION, WHERE I COULD NOT GO FORWARD BUT HAD TO BRAKE. THE RISK OF NONPERFORMANCE IS ALWAYS PRESENT AND IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF DISSATISFACTION FOR ME. BASED ON MY LIMITED UNDERSTANDING, MY GUESS IS THE CAUSE INVOLVES A SENSOR OR COMPUTER. *TR

8/20/2014

4 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

5 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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 CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,817. UPDATED 03/07/13*LJ

1/25/2013

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

1/31/2013

3 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

5 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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

3/12/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT DEALER SOLD THE VEHICLE WITHOUT DISCLOSING THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IN THE PAST, WHICH CAUSED THE SRS INDICATOR TO ILLUMINATE ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SELLER WHO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAG FAILURE INVOLVED THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND NOT JUST THE SRS INDICATOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SELLER DID NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000.

4/19/2017

3 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

4 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE RED PAINT IS FADING IN PATCHES ON THE TOP SURFACES-HOOD, ROOF, AND TRUNK. OTHER BOARDS REPORT SAME PROBLEM WITH HONDA/ACURA RED CARS. CAR HAS ONLY 40,000 MILES, GARAGE KEPT. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED ISSUE. OFFERED TO REPAINT HOOD ONLY BUT COULD NOT GURANTEE MATCH. ACURA/HONDA HAS DEFECT IN RED PAINT THEY WILL NOT BACK

4/2/2016

ON MONDAY APRIL 11, 2016 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:40AM WHILE DRIVING ON I-15 NORTH I HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE WHICH I FOUND OUT AFTER PARKING MY CAR THAT THE MOONROOF HAD SHATTERED AND WAS BENT OUTWARD. IT WAS NOT CLEAR TO ME WHAT HAPPENED OR WHERE THE NOISE CAME FROM WHEN I WAS DRIVING, SINCE THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN CLOSE VICINITY AND THERE WERE NO LOOSE OBJECTS ON THE ROAD. I WAS DRIVING ROUGHLY AROUND 70MPH WHEN THE MOONROOF UNEXPECTEDLY SHATTERED, ALL WINDOWS WERE CLOSED, RADIO WAS OFF AND THE VISOR/SHADE TO THE MOONROOF WAS ALSO CLOSED. I IMMEDIATELY REPORTED THE SITUATION TO ACURA OF RIVERSIDE IN CALIFORNIA WHERE I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE CAR (BRAND NEW) AND WAS REFERRED TO ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS WHO THEN INSTRUCTED ME THAT I GO TO THE NEAREST ACURA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED.I TOOK THE CAR TO KEARNY MESA ACURA IN SAN DIEGO AND THEY HELD MY CAR ALL DAY ON APRIL 14. THEY DID NOT INSPECT AND EXAMINE THE MOONROOF TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED IT TO SHATTER. IN CONCLUSION, IT IS DISINGENUOUS FOR KEARNY MESA ACURA TO NOT EVEN INSPECT THE CAR AND IT IS APPALLING AND INEXCUSABLE FOR THE CASE AGENT AT ACURA CLIENT RELATIONS TO NEGLIGIBLY DISMISS THE REPORT AS 'DAMAGE IS FROM OUTSIDE INFLUENCE'. LASTLY, I TOOK THE CAR FOR INSPECTION TO ACURA OF RIVERSIDE ON APRIL 23 AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO IMPACT ON THE MOONROOF BUT THE DECISION IS UP TO DISTRICT PARTS & SERVICE MANAGER AT AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY, INC. ACURA OF RIVERSIDE CALLED ME ON APRIL 25, 2016 STATING THE DISTRICT PARTS & SERVICE MANAGER SAYS DAMAGE WAS DONE BY OUTSIDE INFLUENCE WOW! THIS EXPERIENCE TO SAY THE LEAST HAS BEEN HORRENDOUS AND UNFAIR, AS I WRITE THIS I HAVE A 2002 CIVIC EX ON THE DRIVEWAY CURRENTLY ON RECALL FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAGS AND MY FAMILY OWNS TWO MORE ACURA TSX'S. I CAN ONLY SAY SHAME ON EVERYTHING ACURA AND SHAME ON EVERYTHING HONDA. POST NOTE: (FULL LETTER ATTACHED IN PDF)

4/25/2016

2 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE RED PAINT IS FADING IN PATCHES ON THE TOP SURFACES-HOOD, ROOF, AND TRUNK. OTHER BOARDS REPORT SAME PROBLEM WITH HONDA/ACURA RED CARS. CAR HAS ONLY 40,000 MILES, GARAGE KEPT. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED ISSUE. OFFERED TO REPAINT HOOD ONLY BUT COULD NOT GURANTEE MATCH. ACURA/HONDA HAS DEFECT IN RED PAINT THEY WILL NOT BACK

4/2/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (2175 S BRADLEY RD, SANTA MARIA, CA 93455) AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME YEAR. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT, DUE TO THE WARRANTY BEING EXPIRED, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

2/15/2018

2 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

LAST WEEK DRIVING MY ACURA TSX 2012 CAR HOME FROM WORK, SUDDENLY THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FAILED. I WAS DRIVING ON A WINDING ROAD AND MID SHARP TURN THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND I ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND CAME CLOSE TO CRASHING INTO THE TREE LINE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD STOP SINCE MY HEART WAS PALPITATING SO HARD. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE TREE LINE AND WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE. LUCKILY MY INSTINCTS KICKED IN AND I WAS ABLE TO WITH ALL MY MIGHT SLOW DOWN THE CAR AND TURN THE WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD TO AVOID CRASHING. THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS AND I AM LUCKY THAT I CAME AWAY UNSCATHED. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ELECTRONIC MODULE WHICH WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $1200 TO FIX/REPLACE. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT.

6/28/2017

WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROAD APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THAT LEADS TO AN ONRAMP IN OAKLAND CA, THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY RIGID, IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE CAR BY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. A WARNING LIGHT FLASHED RAPIDLY ON THE DISPLAY PANEL "STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE". LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING AT 5 TO 10 MPH AND ABLE TO PULL OVER. AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS, THE WARNING LIGHT STOPPED AND THE CAR'S STEERING THEN PERFORMED NORMALLY. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN WITHIN MINUTES AND DRIVING LESS THAN 2 MILES. THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS 66,100, THE CAR AUTO OIL CHANGE / B1 REMINDER WAS SHOWING 5% REMAINING FOR THE B1 SERVICE. I CONTACTED ACURA THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRING THE CAR EVEN THOUGH THIS SEEMS LIKE A MANUFACTURE'S PROBLEM,

8/3/2020

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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 MILES AN HOUR. ?HAVE OCCURRED UNDER ALL COMBINATIONS OF ENGINE AND AIR TEMPERATURES. ?LAST FROM 2 TO 3 SECONDS, WHILE THE ENGINE DOES NOTHING. ?ARE INTERMITTENT AND CANNOT BE SUMMONED UPON DEMAND. ON SOME OCCASIONS, THE HESITATION HAS PUT ME AT RISK OF COLLISION, WHERE I COULD NOT GO FORWARD BUT HAD TO BRAKE. THE RISK OF NONPERFORMANCE IS ALWAYS PRESENT AND IS A CONSTANT SOURCE OF DISSATISFACTION FOR ME. BASED ON MY LIMITED UNDERSTANDING, MY GUESS IS THE CAUSE INVOLVES A SENSOR OR COMPUTER. *TR

8/20/2014

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TSX. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND SURGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY BATTERY. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY 10 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED WHILE TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. UPDATED 08/22/16*LJ THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/30/16.*JB

6/15/2016

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (2175 S BRADLEY RD, SANTA MARIA, CA 93455) AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME YEAR. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT, DUE TO THE WARRANTY BEING EXPIRED, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST. THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

2/15/2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TSX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER ONE ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MODULE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

2/16/2018

SUSPENSION

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I TRAVELED 150 MILES TO PURCHASE A 2012 ACURA TSX AT CALIDAD MOTORS IN CONCORD CA. I WAS TOLD MY DEAL WENT THROUGH SO THAT IS WHY I DROVE THAT FAR. WHEN I GOT THERE, CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND STATED THE ISSUES TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH WERE PROMISED IN THE DEAL PAPER WORK THAT THEY WOULD GET FIXED. I HAVE CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CONTACT ME BACK OR ASSIST ME IN THIS REPAIR. I EXPRESSED THAT THEY SOLD ME A VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP HAD TOLD ME. I WAS TOLD TO SEND IN THE PHOTOS AND A VIDEO OF THE DAMAGED BUMPER AND FOG LAMP AREA. THEY STILL HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO ME. SINCE THEN, MY BUMPER HAS FALLEN OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I HAD MY HUSBAND PUT THE BUMPER BACK ON TO THE VEHICLE.

10/24/2018

WHEELS

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I TRAVELED 150 MILES TO PURCHASE A 2012 ACURA TSX AT CALIDAD MOTORS IN CONCORD CA. I WAS TOLD MY DEAL WENT THROUGH SO THAT IS WHY I DROVE THAT FAR. WHEN I GOT THERE, CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND STATED THE ISSUES TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH WERE PROMISED IN THE DEAL PAPER WORK THAT THEY WOULD GET FIXED. I HAVE CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CONTACT ME BACK OR ASSIST ME IN THIS REPAIR. I EXPRESSED THAT THEY SOLD ME A VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP HAD TOLD ME. I WAS TOLD TO SEND IN THE PHOTOS AND A VIDEO OF THE DAMAGED BUMPER AND FOG LAMP AREA. THEY STILL HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO ME. SINCE THEN, MY BUMPER HAS FALLEN OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I HAD MY HUSBAND PUT THE BUMPER BACK ON TO THE VEHICLE.

10/24/2018

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

EPS, electronic power steering module failure. "Check power steering system"

8/9/2022

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2012 Acura TSX?

The most reported complaint category for the 2012 Acura TSX is STEERING, with 98 owner reports. That is about 64% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES.

Are complaints about the 2012 Acura TSX a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 137 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2012 Acura TSX?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2012 Acura TSX severe?

137 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Acura TSX: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
154
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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