Service Bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on the Piston Rings and Pistons for 2009-11 TSX L4 to 8 years from the original date of purchase or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first. The warranty extension does not apply to any vehicle that has ever been declared a total loss or sold for salvage by a financial institution or insurer, or has a branded, or similar tittle under any state's law.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Acura TSX engine problems
moderate 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 19 engine complaints filed for the 2009 Acura TSX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Acura TSX we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 19.
Engine accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
"Service bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on the Piston Rings and Pistons for 2009-11 TSX L4 to 8 years from the original date of purchase or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first. The warranty extension does not apply to any vehicle that has ever been declared a total loss or sold for salvage by a financial institution or insurer, or has a branded, or similar tittle under any stateâÂÂs law."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on the Piston Rings and Pistons for 2009-11 TSX L4 to 8 years from the original date of purchase or 125,000 miles, whichever comes first. Under certain specific circumstances the engine may create deposits on the oil control rings, which may lead to increased oil consumption.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE BULLETIN - AMERICAN HONDA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE PISTON RINGS AND PISTONS FOR 2009-11 TSX L4 TO 8 YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE OR 125,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES THE ENGINE MAY CREATE DEPOSITS ON THE OIL CONTROL RINGS, WHICH MAY LEAD TO INCREASED OIL CONSUMPTION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"SERVICE BULLETIN - AMERICAN HONDA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE PISTON RINGS AND PISTONS FOR 2009-11 TSX L4 TO 8 YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE OF PURCHASE OR 125,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. THE WARRANTY EXTENSION DOES NOT APPLY TO ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS EVER BEEN DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS OR SOLD FOR SALVAGE BY A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION OR INSURER, OR HAS A BRANDED, OR SIMILAR TITTLE UNDER ANY STATES LAW. TO CHECK FOR VEHICLE ELIGIBILITY, YOU MUST DO A VIN STATUS INQUIRY."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 TSX engine exhibits two recurring problems that multiple dealers acknowledged but declined to address.
Engine knock/ping: Owners consistently report metallic knocking or pinging during acceleration, especially between 2000–3000 RPM. The noise appears within the first few months of ownership and worsens over time, particularly in warm weather. Dealers replicated the sound and told owners it was "normal," but Acura's techline only stated the issue was "under investigation." A similar problem was reportedly being investigated by the Australian government for the Honda Euro model with the identical engine. No permanent fix has been reported.
Oil consumption: Beginning around 75,000 miles, many owners burn 1+ quart per 1,000 miles. Acura issued a warranty extension but set that threshold as acceptable and declined repairs for most. One owner referenced a recall (TSB #B13-006) involving piston replacement for deposit-related burn, but coverage was limited and denied for owners beyond 8 years or 125,000 miles. One owner reported needing a timing chain replacement as a secondary consequence. Dealers offered no remedy beyond suggesting fuel treatment.
Both issues occurred on vehicles using premium fuel as instructed. No repair solutions are documented in these narratives.
Failure modes owners describe
Engine knocking/pinging noise under acceleration
Metallic knocking or pinging sound from engine during acceleration, most pronounced between 2000–3000 RPM. Owners report consistent reproduction under load, worsening over time and with warmer temperatures. Multiple dealers acknowledged the noise but declared it 'normal' and were unable to identify or repair the cause. Owners on internet forums report the same issue affecting many 2009 TSX vehicles. A similar issue was reportedly under investigation by the Australian government for the Honda Euro model with the same engine.
When: First 3 months of ownership; occurs consistently during acceleration; appears more pronounced above 60°F ambient temperature
Symptoms owners cite: Metallic knocking noise during acceleration; Pinging sound between 1800–3000 RPM; Noise increases in frequency and volume over time; Sound more pronounced in warmer weather; Occurs even with premium fuel (91+ octane) as recommended
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to determine a fix; no successful repairs reported in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura/Honda techline stated noise is 'normal at this time' and under investigation; Acura client services denied known issue; multiple dealers replicated noise but gave no resolution; overseas investigation by Australian government noted
Excessive engine oil consumption
High rate of oil burn starting around 75,000 miles. Owners report consuming 1+ quart per 1,000 miles. After internal oil consumption test, Acura deemed 1 quart per 1,000 miles as 'acceptable' and declined warranty extension or repair. Some owners reported adding 2–3 quarts monthly or 6 quarts between oil changes. One narrative references TSB #B13-006 and a recall for deposits building up in the engine, requiring piston replacement. Another owner at 125,000 miles was denied coverage under the warranty extension cutoff.
When: Typically appears between 75,000–125,000 miles; one owner reported 6 quarts consumption at 87,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive oil consumption (1+ quart per 1,000 miles); Oil levels dropping rapidly between service intervals; Loud noise during gear changes approximately 2,000 miles after oil change, resolving after fresh oil; Deposits building up in engine (per TSB reference)
Repairs/costs cited: One narrative references recall TSB #B13-006 NHTSA #10152441, which involves piston and engine-part replacement for deposit-related oil burn. Most owners received no repair; one was only advised to try fuel treatment; warranty extension issued to some but coverage ended at 125,000 miles or 8 years
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acura issued warranty extension notice for oil consumption; some dealers conducted 1,000-mile oil consumption tests but deemed results within acceptable limits; declined warranty repairs; one owner reported VIN not included in recall despite matching issue; owner at 125,000 miles denied coverage due to cutoff
Timing chain stretch/failure
One owner reported having to replace a 'severely stretched timing chain,' attributed to the excessive oil consumption problem.
When: Occurred during period of excessive oil consumption
Symptoms owners cite: Stretched timing chain requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain replacement; owner stated this was an additional repair cost caused by the oil consumption issue
Frame/rear-end rattle with piping noise
One complaint of piping noise from rear driver-side, attributed to a frame design flaw requiring fusion of two metal pieces to resolve. Dealer had to order special tool from Torrance, CA.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Piping noise during stopping and acceleration from rear driver-side
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer fused two metal pieces of frame; required special tool ordered from Torrance, CA
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
I am having to put 2-3 quarts of oil in my vehicle once a month. I had taken my vehicle into the Acura dealership last year and they started that there was a recall on my vehicle for the exact issue that I'm having but my VIN wasn't included in the recall. The recall is for deposits building up in the engine which cause oil to be burned more during acceleration and the solution would be to…
Excessive oil consumption
My car is consuming excessive amounts of oil, and Acura has told me this is normal. I have added three quarts since my last oil change, and Acura is doing nothing to remedy the problem. Even after issuing a warranty extension, and acknowledging that this is an issue, they refuse to fix it. This is completely unsafe, and bad business practice for a car I thought was going to be a reliable,…
Experiencing high engine oil consumption. My 2009 Acura tsx is around 88k miles. Since around the 75k mile mark I have been experiencing higher than normal oil consumption rates. I regularly change my oil at the 3,000 mi mark and once had the auto shop ask me why I had waited so long to change my oil. I had explained to them that it was at the 3k mi mark and that I was right on time for my…
My oil light keep coming on every 30% after new oil change.
Had engine trouble with your 2009 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 engine problem on the 2009 Acura TSX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 1,200 and 122,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 1,200; a quarter make it past 122,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2009/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.