Dealer message - In May 2010 and June 2012, American Honda announced a safety recall for 2004-08 TSX and 2007-08 TL due to a potentially leaking power steering feed hose. For some time, the countermeasure hoses and required repair parts have been in stock as part of special campaign parts kits available for dealer ordering.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Acura TSX steering problems
moderate 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 15 steering complaints filed for the 2007 Acura TSX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
How fast does it fail?
Cumulative share of the 11 mileage-bearing steering complaints filed against the 2007 Acura TSX by each odometer reading. Median failure: 115,000 mi.
10% have failed by61,067 mi
Half the fleet by115,000 mi
90% have failed by175,000 mi
Curve based on owner-reported odometer mileage at the time of complaint. Reflects when owners filed, not when symptoms first appeared. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently describe power steering rack boots leaking fluid without warning, causing complete loss of steering assist while driving at 30–60 mph. One owner lost all fluid within six to eight minutes of driving; another had the reservoir drained to empty. Leak sources include driver-side and passenger-side boots; one owner experienced sequential failures of both. Heavy steering, strange noises under the hood, and screeching sounds accompany the leaks.
Failures occur between 100,000 and 126,250 miles, though one owner found the leak the day after purchase. Multiple owners report the issue is not a one-time fix: an aftermarket replacement failed within a week, and an Acura remanufactured unit leaked again years later.
Owners also report a progressive squeaking noise from the steering column that Acura acknowledged as a known issue with no available solution at the time of complaint.
NHTSA Campaign 10V174000 addresses power steering fluid leaks, but owners report being directed to distant dealerships for recall work or being quoted diagnostic fees. Repair costs are described as substantial; one owner paid $1,200 for an aftermarket rack. Owners express frustration that no full rack-and-pinion recall exists despite widespread, recurring failures.
Same Acura TSX steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering rack and pinion seal/boot leakage
The steering rack boots (driver-side, passenger-side, or unspecified) fail and leak power steering fluid, causing fluid loss that ranges from slow drips to complete drainage, resulting in loss of power steering assist.
When: Mileage varied; owners reported failure between 100,000 and 126,250 miles. One owner noted the issue manifested the day after purchase. Multiple owners report recurrence even after replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy or hard steering wheel, difficult to turn; Loss of power steering assist; Screeching or squealing noise from power steering system; Strange sounds under the hood; Power steering fluid visible under the vehicle or completely drained from reservoir; Fluid trail left while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #1 paid $1,200 for aftermarket rack replacement; aftermarket unit failed within a week and was replaced under warranty, then the right boot began leaking. Owner #6 noted the repair was 'not an inexpensive repair.' Acura remanufactured parts mentioned in one case (#13) also failed and began leaking years later. One owner (#3) was quoted a diagnostic fee by the dealer and did not proceed with repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 10V174000 (Steering) referenced for power steering fluid leak recall. Owner #2 received a recall notice but was directed to a dealership over 50 miles away. Owner #4 stated the power steering hose was replaced under recall. Owners #1, #4, #5 expressed frustration that no full rack-and-pinion recall exists despite widespread complaints. Owner #8 noted Acura acknowledged the squeaking noise issue but stated it had no solution at that time.
Steering column squeaking noise (progressive)
A squeaking noise originates from the steering column and progressively worsens over time. Owner #8 notes that Acura is aware of the issue but has not released a fix. Owner #4 mentions being told by the dealer that the squeaking is a 'known issue' but 'not risky.'
When: Timing not specified in narratives; one owner (#4) experienced it during the same ownership period as the fluid leak.
Symptoms owners cite: Squeaking or squealing noise from steering column that gets progressively worse
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura acknowledged the issue as known but stated (as of the complaint date) that no solution was available. No TSB or repair procedure mentioned.
Power steering system failure/seizure without warning
The power steering system suddenly loses functionality while driving, without prior warning lights or symptoms, resulting in a hard-to-turn steering wheel mid-drive. Owners report this occurred at highway speeds (40-60 mph) with no precipitating impact or bump.
When: One owner (#9) reported failure at approximately 120,000 miles. Owner #3 reported recurring failures; one incident at 126,250 miles. Owner #5 reported failure at approximately 45 mph highway driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly becomes hard to turn at speed; No warning light illuminated; Strange or 'crazy' sounds from the engine/front end; Complete loss of power steering assist mid-drive
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #3's independent mechanic diagnosed a leaking power steering hose; repair not completed. Owner #9 diagnosed as failed rack and pinion requiring replacement; repair not completed by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #9 stated the manufacturer was made aware of the failure.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 13 most recent
I began hearing a noise when turning the steering wheel and the steering became "heavy". I checked the power steering fluid reservoir and it was low on fluid. I checked under the car and saw that there a leak from the driver's side boot on the steering rack. I took the car to a local shop and had the part replaced with an aftermarket rack for $1200. The rack failed within a week. I took it…
The car had not given me any warning or nothing. Driving fine down the highway one day going about 45 MPH, I go to make a turn and its hard as hell. My car starts sounding all crazy and im struggling to turn the wheel. I pull over and all my power steering fluid is gone, leaked out! Now I have read report after report of this happening. Over and over for this same year and type of car. Why is…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Acura tsx. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the power steering seized without warning. The dealer diagnosed that the rack and pinion failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
I own a 2007 Acura tsx. There is a squeaking noise coming from the steering column that is getting progressively worse. The dealer claims that Acura knows about the issue, but as of yet does not have a solution. Many owners have blogged and posted comments regarding the same issue on various websites. I am surprised that Acura has not done something about this. *tr
Driving around 30 MPH, it became hard to turn the wheel unexpectedly. There were no hits/bumps/etc. So; it was power steering fluid leaking and I had to get power steering rack replaced. The car was always dealer maintained, there were no known reasons for the leak; no bump hits as mentioned. The power steering hose was replaced when it was recalled. One known issue was that I was also…
The contact owns a 2007 Acura TSX. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the power steering fluid hose was leaking. The contact related the failure…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Acura tsx. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the steering wheel became hard to steer. The vehicle was merged to the right of the road side. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the rack and pinion was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
I received a safety recall:power steering fluid leak for my 2007 Acura tsx. Contacted Acura client services for nearest authorized mechanic. Was informed that I would need to take my Acura over 50 miles (one way) form ft. Collins where I work and live. Leave car half a day and return to ft. Collins. I have to believe that Acura and safety administration could see the hardship this creates.…
After getting off work my car sitting for about 8 hours, on my commute home which is approximately 6-8 minutes (city streets) my steering became very heavy and difficult. The car started to make funny sounds under the hood. Once I arrived home I notice a trail of fluid leakage so I checked the power steering reservoir and it was tapped dry, absolutely no fluid. I had to replace the entire rack…
Power steering makes an extreme screeching sound and Honda Dealership in Eau Claire, WI, says they cannot perform the recalls, and that I have to go to Acura, which is 2 hours away from me and cannot get there. I feel that Honda in eau claire should be able to do it.
Had steering trouble with your 2007 Acura TSX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2007 Acura TSX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 98,000 and 126,250 miles, with the median around 115,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 98,000; a quarter make it past 126,250. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Acura/TSX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.