Acura TSX problems
132 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Warning light to "check power steering "unexpectedly appears. Loss of turning power suddenly occurs. No prior warnings exhibited. Dangerous situation could lead to fatal results.
While driving, in motion, the electronic power steering (eps) failed. Dash indicator light displayed "check power steering system". Steering wheel was incredibly difficult to maneuver. I have driven cars equipped with traditional belt & pump-driven power steering systems that…
"takata recall" Acura needs to be aware of what happened to me yesterday. Yesterday I was driving home from work when all of a sudden the eps system light turned on. This is the power steering light. My steering wheel locked where I was having difficulty steering my wheel.…
On acceleration. the car would shudder and there was a loud grinding coming from the front of the car. After inspection by the dealer the front 2 axles had to be replaced. The car has only been driven 70K miles. This posed dangerous driving and control issues on the Interstate.…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Acura TSX reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Acura TSX is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Acura TSX?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Acura TSX does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Acura TSX?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 99 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,993 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 73,958 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Acura TSX has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Acura TSX?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 132 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.