Owner Notification Letter - The vehicle's steering may feel heavier than normal - or is hard to turn - particularly when the vehicle is not moving because of an electric power steering (EPS) control unit failure. If this happens, either the EPS indicator blinks with no diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored, or the EPS indicator comes on steady with at least one of the following DTCs stored: DTC 32-09, DTC 32-08, or DTC 61-04.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Acura TSX steering problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Acura TSX have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 98,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 TSX | 15 |
| 2008 TSX | 17 |
| 2009 TSX | 4 |
| 2010 TSX | 5 |
| 2011 TSX (this page) | 18 |
| 2012 TSX | 99 |
| 2013 TSX | 19 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 18 steering complaints filed for the 2011 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
Steering accounts for 40% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 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.
Service Bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty on the EPS (electric power steering) control unit to 15 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles. This warranty covers vehicles where the steering feels heavier than normal, or is hard to turn, particularly when the vehicle is not moving, and either the EPS indicator blinks with no DTCs, or the EPS indicator comes on steady with DTC 32-09 (motor current correlation), DTC 32-08 (EPS control unit internal circuit [current sensor]), or DTC 61-04 (motor harness malfunction).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Dealer Message - On April 19, 2019, Acura announced a warranty extension for certain 2012-14 Acura TL vehicles to address a concern with the electric power steering (EPS) system. On June 1, 2019, Acura announced an expansion to include coverage for the 2011-14 TSX L4 and TSX Sport Wagon L4, four cylinder models. Today, July 11, 2019 is announcing the final expansion to this warranty extension to include certain 2011-14 TSX V6, six cylinder models. Under certain conditions, affected vehicles may experience: - Heavier than normal steering - The EPS indicator may blink with no DTCs - The indicator may come on steady with EPS DTC(s)."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Dealer Message - On April 19, 2019, Acura announced a warranty extension for certain 2012-14 Acura TL vehicles to address a concern with the electric power steering (EPS) system. Today, June 1, 2019, Acura is announcing a vehicle population expansion to this warranty extension to also include coverage for the 2011-14 TSX L4 and TSX Sport Wagon L4, four cylinder models. Under certain conditions, affected vehicles may experience: - Heavier than normal steering - The EPS indicator may blink with no DTCs - The indicator may come on steady with EPS DTC(s)."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - American Honda is extending the warranty on the EPS (electric power steering) control unit to 15 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles. This warranty covers vehicles where the steering feels heavier than normal, or is hard to turn, particularly when the vehicle is not moving, and either the EPS indicator blinks with no DTCs, or the EPS indicator comes on steady with DTC 32-09 (motor current correlation), DTC 32-08 (EPS control unit internal circuit [current sensor]), or DTC 61-04 (motor harness malfunction).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Acura TSX steering complaints center on electronic power steering (EPS) module failures. Owners report the CHECK POWER STEERING warning light coming on suddenly—sometimes while driving, sometimes when starting the vehicle—followed by complete loss of power steering function. The steering wheel locks up or becomes extremely hard to turn. Failures cluster around 75,000–80,000 miles, though cases range from 67,000 to 100,000 miles.
Intermittent failures are common: power steering cuts out, owners restart the engine, steering temporarily works, then fails again within days. Some owners report steering hardness that comes and goes without clear pattern.
The failures occur at dangerous moments—highway speeds, bridge crossings, traffic—leaving owners unable to steer safely. One owner paid for a power steering computer replacement that didn't fix the problem and now faces a $5,000–$6,000 steering rack replacement. Another reports installing a third EPS module. Repair costs range from $1,300 to $2,000 per module replacement.
Owners note Acura is aware of the problem (dealerships mention internal bulletins), yet no recall has been issued and Acura denies warranty coverage. One owner reports clicking in the steering wheel and engine rattle on startup after the vehicle sits.
Same Acura TSX steering reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Module Failure
Complete loss of power steering function with warning light illumination. The steering wheel locks up or becomes extremely difficult to turn, sometimes intermittently and sometimes permanently. Failure occurs across a wide mileage range (roughly 67,000–100,000 miles) with little to no warning.
When: Mileage range 67,000–100,000 miles; most commonly reported around 75,000–80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: CHECK POWER STEERING warning light illuminates; Steering wheel locks up or becomes extremely hard to turn; Loss of power steering function while driving or when starting vehicle; Intermittent failures that may resolve temporarily after powering vehicle off and back on; Failures occur at highway speeds and low-speed parking lot scenarios; EPS warning light flashing with code 51 reported in one case
Codes mentioned: EPS warning light (code 51 mentioned in one narrative)
Repairs/costs cited: EPS module replacement costs reported at $1,300–$2,000; one owner reports entire steering rack replacement estimated at $5,000–$6,000 after module replacement failed to resolve issue. One owner reports installing a third EPS module due to repeated failures.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports dealership mentioned a 'bulletin' regarding the issue, indicating Acura awareness. Acura has not issued a recall despite widespread complaints. No warranty or campaign coverage offered for repair costs in at least one case.
Intermittent Power Steering Function Loss
Power steering failure that appears and disappears unpredictably without clear trigger. Vehicle steering capability temporarily restored after shutting off ignition and restarting, but problem recurs shortly thereafter.
When: Reported across multiple mileage ranges; one case at 75,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Warning light comes on and then goes away after engine restart; Steering wheel becomes hard to turn during failure episodes; Problem recurs within days after temporary resolution; Inconsistent performance—some days steering feels normal, other days hard
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had power steering computer replaced but problem persisted; one owner reports replacing EPS system 1 year prior for $1,300 and now experiences recurring hardness in steering wheel.
Steering Wheel Clicking and Engine Rattle on Startup
Clicking noise when turning steering wheel and rattle sound in engine after vehicle sits for a couple of hours. Owner suspects low oil or inadequate oil delivery to pistons, though this is owner speculation rather than verified diagnosis.
When: After vehicle sits for a couple of hours
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking sound when steering wheel is turned; Rattle sound in engine on startup after sitting
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
On 11/19/19 my car was parked at a grocery store. When I got in to start it I got a flashing message regarding the electric power steering: 51. I couldn't really move the steering wheel and thankfully I was not driving. I had to had the car towed home. Upon looking into this I can see this has happened to a lot of people. The same year, make and model within the same mileage range as me. I have…
My car has approximately 75,000 miles. I was driving in a parking lot and and indicator came on stating "check power steering." the steering wheel locked up and became almost impossible to turn. I turned the car off and went on my way, hoping it was a temporary problem. The problem went away the next time I turned on my car. But 3 days later, the var did the same thing when I was driving in a…
While driving and almost ending up in a accident to where I could injury myself or someone else my car immediately said check power steering and the steering wheel locked as well then the dealership chargers 1500.00 just not safe and over priced repair to something that gives you know warning.
Check power steering system warning light came on after being parked for 9 hours in a parking deck at work. As I was getting off work I placed my key in the ignition and that's when the light appeared. I took the key out and let the car sit for a while about 20 minutes and started the car again,but it did the same thing.
The steering went out in my car when I was driving on the interstate. My car is 6 years old with 100,000 miles and I had to replace the steering module for $1300. This seems odd to me for this to happen in a newer car.
Got my eps system replaced about 1 years ago paid 1300 to fix now it seems to be a known issue recently my steering gets hard some days and other days its smooth dont know what to do I cant afford another 1300 for something that is know to be failing
Steering system fails intermittently. Eps warning light comes on and the car becomes uncontrollable in the highway and very hard to maneuver in the parking lot. This is extremely scary situation. I was glad I was able to exit the freeway and stop the car at a safe location. Electronic power steering module (eps) is failing.
My "check power steering" light came on while my car was moving 5mph through a parking garage. Instantly my wheel became very hard to move. After parking and turning the car off/on the problem resolved itself. 5 days later I was traveling down a residential road the eps failed again. The dealership quoted me $2000 in repairs, and Acura said there was no warranty or campaign coverage for the…
Had steering trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Acura TSX?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 79,000 and 107,000 miles, with the median around 98,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 79,000; a quarter make it past 107,000. 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 $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/2011/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.