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2013 Acura TSX Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20264 Critical Recalls
Daniel Wilson
2013 Acura TSX Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2013 Acura TSX has 38 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve steering and air bags.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

8.1/ 10

Based on 38 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

STEERING

19 50%

AIR BAGS

5 13.2%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 5.3%

TIRES

2 5.3%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

1 2.6%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is STEERING, accounting for 50% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 14 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 2013 Acura TSX

The 2013 Acura TSX has 38 owner complaints in this dataset. STEERING is the most common complaint category, representing about 50% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2013 Acura TSX are STEERING (19), AIR BAGS (5), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 29 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 2013 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 intervals2012 TSX complaints2014 TSX complaints2011 TSX complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 14 of 14 systems

STEERING

19 Reports50% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

EPS STEERING ISSUES FIRST REPORTED TO ACURA APPROXIMATELY 250 MILES. HOOD VIBRATION ISSUES AT 3800 MILES. ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING STABILITY TRACKING ISSUES, AUTOMOBILE CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN STRAIGHT LINE. THE EPS SYSTEM IN THIS VIN PLATFORM AND MANY OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAS SERIOUS & WELL DOCUMENTED STRAIGHT LINE DRIVING AND CROSSWIND STABILITY ISSUES DUE TO INHERENT DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAWS IN THE EPS SYSTEM AS COMPARED TO HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEMS. PASSING BIG RIGS TRAVELING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION ON TWO LANE HIGHWAYS, CAR BEING PUSHED EXCESSIVELY TOWARD OUTSIDE RIGHT EDGE OF ROAD DUE TO EPS STABILITY TRACKING ISSUES & ENTIRE HOOD ASSEMBLY LIFTING AND VIBRATING VERTICALLY ABOUT 1" VERY FAST ESPECIALLY AT LEADING EDGE CLOSEST TO WINDSHIELD AS IF FLEXING AND TRYING TO PULL FROM ITS HINGES AND FRONT LOCKING LATCH. OCCURRED 5 TIMES ON ONE HIGHWAY AND 4 TIMES ON OPEN CROSS COUNTRY INTERSTATES IN CROSSWINDS AND ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD HOWLING SOUND FROM HOOD VIBRATION WHEN WINDS TRAVEL THROUGH ENGINE COMPARTMENT. "FLUTTERS" OFTEN ON OPEN INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WHEN NOT VIBRATING VIOLENTLY. HAVE TALKED WITH 4 OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME ISSUES. ACURA HAS KNOWN OF PROBLEM FOR 5 YEARS AND ISSUED CAREFULLY WORDED TSB10-103 IN APRIL 2009 WITH CHEAP "BAND AIDE" FIX OF ADDING RUBBER GASKET THAT DIDN'T SOLVE REAL PROBLEM OF HOOD FLEXIBILITY ENGINEERING FLAW. VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE WHEN NOT EXPECTING. HOOD IS 19 SQUARE FEET OF VERY FLIMSY BRACED SHEET METAL WEIGHING 42#. IF STRUCTURE DETACHES WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS IT BASICALLY BECOMES A FLYING GUILLOTINE. CAN PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON FACTORY BODY WELD ASSEMBLY ISSUES, HOOD VIBRATION ISSUES AND EPS ISSUES BUT CHARACTER LIMITATIONS ON THIS FORM WILL NOT ALLOW SPACE.

8/4/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING WARING LIGHT ILLUMINATED.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000. ......UPDATED 12/17/15 *BF; UPDATED 04/20/18*JB *CN THE CONUSMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING. *JS

10/16/2015

17 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

5 Reports13% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TAKATA RECALL, I RECEIVED A LETTER BY MAIL THAT MY CAR HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA RECALL

1/15/2018

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V042000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (STERLING MCCALL ACURA, 10455 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77074, (713)-596-2300) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

7/9/2018

3 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

ACURA INSULATION ON ELECTRICAL WIRES ATTRACT RODENTS. 3 WIRES WERE CHEWED UP BY RODENTS. $380 TO REPAIR.

8/26/2017

I purchased my 2013 Acura TSX new. Since the date of purchase I have had the battery replaced 4 times including yesterday. On each occasion, the battery was drained due to the Bluetooth Module being defective. The dealer has confirmed the problem. This poses a substantial safety risk

6/16/2023

TIRES

2 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2013 Acura TSX equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Pure Contact, Tire Size: 225/50/R17, DOT Number: VY40WD4A2320. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side tire exploded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The tires were replacement tires. The failure mileage was approximately 126,500.

7/7/2023

I first reported this on July 7, 2023 under NHTSA ID#11530893. My wife was driving when the Continental tire size 225/50/R17 suddenly blew out at approximately 70 MPH. Immediately pulled to shoulder of highway. This was a very tense moment at speed running on the rim to get immediately off the road. Fortunately there was no vehicles in neighboring lanes as we swerved and got out of harms way. Continental Tire dealer was contacted and shown the 2 pieces of separated tire. We were informed there is an open recall for tread separating from side wall of Continental Tires. Also informed that my DOT Tire identifier was not listed under the recall. No recourse was taken/offered by Continental dealer.

10/12/2023

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

2013 ACURA TSX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON, HE NOTICED A BIG SHADOW IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. HE BELIEVED IT POSED A SAFETY HAZARD AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING DOWN A WINDING AND HILLY ROAD. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. AT TIMES, HE HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE HARD IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. UPDATED 11/20/13

7/17/2013

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

2013 ACURA TSX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ON, HE NOTICED A BIG SHADOW IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. HE BELIEVED IT POSED A SAFETY HAZARD AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING DOWN A WINDING AND HILLY ROAD. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. AT TIMES, HE HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE HARD IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. UPDATED 11/20/13

7/17/2013

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

EPS STEERING ISSUES FIRST REPORTED TO ACURA APPROXIMATELY 250 MILES. HOOD VIBRATION ISSUES AT 3800 MILES. ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING STABILITY TRACKING ISSUES, AUTOMOBILE CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN STRAIGHT LINE. THE EPS SYSTEM IN THIS VIN PLATFORM AND MANY OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAS SERIOUS & WELL DOCUMENTED STRAIGHT LINE DRIVING AND CROSSWIND STABILITY ISSUES DUE TO INHERENT DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAWS IN THE EPS SYSTEM AS COMPARED TO HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEMS. PASSING BIG RIGS TRAVELING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION ON TWO LANE HIGHWAYS, CAR BEING PUSHED EXCESSIVELY TOWARD OUTSIDE RIGHT EDGE OF ROAD DUE TO EPS STABILITY TRACKING ISSUES & ENTIRE HOOD ASSEMBLY LIFTING AND VIBRATING VERTICALLY ABOUT 1" VERY FAST ESPECIALLY AT LEADING EDGE CLOSEST TO WINDSHIELD AS IF FLEXING AND TRYING TO PULL FROM ITS HINGES AND FRONT LOCKING LATCH. OCCURRED 5 TIMES ON ONE HIGHWAY AND 4 TIMES ON OPEN CROSS COUNTRY INTERSTATES IN CROSSWINDS AND ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD HOWLING SOUND FROM HOOD VIBRATION WHEN WINDS TRAVEL THROUGH ENGINE COMPARTMENT. "FLUTTERS" OFTEN ON OPEN INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WHEN NOT VIBRATING VIOLENTLY. HAVE TALKED WITH 4 OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME ISSUES. ACURA HAS KNOWN OF PROBLEM FOR 5 YEARS AND ISSUED CAREFULLY WORDED TSB10-103 IN APRIL 2009 WITH CHEAP "BAND AIDE" FIX OF ADDING RUBBER GASKET THAT DIDN'T SOLVE REAL PROBLEM OF HOOD FLEXIBILITY ENGINEERING FLAW. VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE WHEN NOT EXPECTING. HOOD IS 19 SQUARE FEET OF VERY FLIMSY BRACED SHEET METAL WEIGHING 42#. IF STRUCTURE DETACHES WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS IT BASICALLY BECOMES A FLYING GUILLOTINE. CAN PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON FACTORY BODY WELD ASSEMBLY ISSUES, HOOD VIBRATION ISSUES AND EPS ISSUES BUT CHARACTER LIMITATIONS ON THIS FORM WILL NOT ALLOW SPACE.

8/4/2014

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

EPS STEERING ISSUES FIRST REPORTED TO ACURA APPROXIMATELY 250 MILES. HOOD VIBRATION ISSUES AT 3800 MILES. ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING STABILITY TRACKING ISSUES, AUTOMOBILE CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN STRAIGHT LINE. THE EPS SYSTEM IN THIS VIN PLATFORM AND MANY OTHER MANUFACTURERS HAS SERIOUS & WELL DOCUMENTED STRAIGHT LINE DRIVING AND CROSSWIND STABILITY ISSUES DUE TO INHERENT DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FLAWS IN THE EPS SYSTEM AS COMPARED TO HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEMS. PASSING BIG RIGS TRAVELING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION ON TWO LANE HIGHWAYS, CAR BEING PUSHED EXCESSIVELY TOWARD OUTSIDE RIGHT EDGE OF ROAD DUE TO EPS STABILITY TRACKING ISSUES & ENTIRE HOOD ASSEMBLY LIFTING AND VIBRATING VERTICALLY ABOUT 1" VERY FAST ESPECIALLY AT LEADING EDGE CLOSEST TO WINDSHIELD AS IF FLEXING AND TRYING TO PULL FROM ITS HINGES AND FRONT LOCKING LATCH. OCCURRED 5 TIMES ON ONE HIGHWAY AND 4 TIMES ON OPEN CROSS COUNTRY INTERSTATES IN CROSSWINDS AND ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD HOWLING SOUND FROM HOOD VIBRATION WHEN WINDS TRAVEL THROUGH ENGINE COMPARTMENT. "FLUTTERS" OFTEN ON OPEN INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS WHEN NOT VIBRATING VIOLENTLY. HAVE TALKED WITH 4 OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED SAME ISSUES. ACURA HAS KNOWN OF PROBLEM FOR 5 YEARS AND ISSUED CAREFULLY WORDED TSB10-103 IN APRIL 2009 WITH CHEAP "BAND AIDE" FIX OF ADDING RUBBER GASKET THAT DIDN'T SOLVE REAL PROBLEM OF HOOD FLEXIBILITY ENGINEERING FLAW. VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE WHEN NOT EXPECTING. HOOD IS 19 SQUARE FEET OF VERY FLIMSY BRACED SHEET METAL WEIGHING 42#. IF STRUCTURE DETACHES WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS IT BASICALLY BECOMES A FLYING GUILLOTINE. CAN PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ON FACTORY BODY WELD ASSEMBLY ISSUES, HOOD VIBRATION ISSUES AND EPS ISSUES BUT CHARACTER LIMITATIONS ON THIS FORM WILL NOT ALLOW SPACE.

8/4/2014

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THE ELECTRONIC STEERING MODULE FAILED AT 45000 MILES. IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX AND ACURA IS NOT WILLING TO HELP. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM BECAUSE VEHICLES SEEM TO BE COMPUTERS MORE THAN ANYTHING THESE DAYS.

12/12/2018

ENGINE

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

VEHICLE IS MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECTIVE VTC ACTUATOR, IT IS MAKING RATTLE SOUND ON A COLD START. MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT THE DEFECT PART.

2/13/2020

POWER TRAIN

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

VEHICLE IS MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECTIVE VTC ACTUATOR, IT IS MAKING RATTLE SOUND ON A COLD START. MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT THE DEFECT PART.

2/13/2020

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THE SUN VISOR HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE AND INHIBITS VISIBILITY. THE INTERNAL CLIP HAS WORN OUT, CANNOT BE REPLACED, AND HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED WITH MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE, 2006 HONDA CIVIC, AND WAS RESOLVED THROUGH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.

9/8/2020

SERVICE BRAKES

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

On Friday, September 24, 2021 when I went around a curve my car felt like the vehicle stability assist was trying to kick on. However, no warning light came on and I was not going to fast for the weather or road conditions. I did not hit any pot holes or anything else to cause the part to fail. When I went to apply my brakes the brakes felt soft and spongy and I was concern with the car not stopping. Safety issues for me and others were if my car didn't stop and me hitting another vehicle and injuring/killing them or myself due to the component failure. I was able to get my car to Acura Sterling McCall in Houston and they were able to duplicate the issue and I was advised the VSA needed to be replaced. That this was causing the soft brakes.

9/27/2021

CHEST CLIP, BUCKLE, HARNESS

1 Report3% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

After the harness is clipped in place and tightened as directed, you can pull the straps forward (including my 3yo child was able to do this) and loosen the straps of the harness without pressing on the release button. The harness pulls loose and will not stay locked in place. I also tried to simulate impact with a sudden and strong pull on the harness to see if it would lock in that situation and it does not. If we had been in an accident using this car seat, my child could have been seriously injured because the harness would have failed to lock. We purchased this in Sept 2019 and just noticed this occurring now but unclear if we just didn't realize it before or if the harness just failed now.

6/21/2022

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 2013 Acura TSX?

The most reported complaint category for the 2013 Acura TSX is STEERING, with 19 owner reports. That is about 50% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include STEERING, AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Are complaints about the 2013 Acura TSX a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 29 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 2013 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 2013 Acura TSX severe?

29 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
38
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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