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The 2012 Acura TSX has 4 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 132 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2012 Acura TSX has 132 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 99 complaints, typically surfacing around 81,993 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 TSX | 91 | 6 |
| 2010 TSX | 63 | 7 |
| 2011 TSX | 45 | 7 |
| 2012 TSX (this page) | 132 | 6 |
| 2013 TSX | 33 | 4 |
| 2014 TSX | 7 | 3 |
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
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.
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Acura TSX 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged critical on this model , showing up around 73,958 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 4.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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.…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 4.8 out of 10 based on 132 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Acura TSX has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
The 2012 Acura TSX is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Reliability score 4.8/10 — below the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 99 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,993 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 4.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 132 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 81,993 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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.
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.
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.
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.