2013 Acura TSX problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 33 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2013 Acura TSX has 33 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 19 complaints, typically surfacing around 65,105 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 TSX | 63 | 0 |
| 2011 TSX | 45 | 0 |
| 2012 TSX | 132 | 0 |
| 2013 TSX (this page) | 33 | 0 |
| 2014 TSX | 7 | 0 |
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 8.4/10 — 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.
Buying a used 2013 Acura TSX? Check these first
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.
What to inspect on this specific car
- steering — 19 owner reports · tends to show around 65,105 mi · ~$700 to fix
- airbags — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 54,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- electrical — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 69,470 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 65,105 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is airbags (~$1,100) — 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 →Ask anything about your 2013 Acura TSX
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.
Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The electronic steering module failed at 45000 miles. It is a very expensive fix and Acura is not willing to help. It appears to be a common problem because vehicles seem to be computers more than anything these days.
Steering locked up and power steering light came on dashboard. Turned off the engine, restarted, it was ok. It happened again and extremely difficult to turn the steering. Real safety hazard.
Power steering system abruptly cut out as I was driving down the highway. Stop and go traffic. I was forced to try and get the vehicle off to the side of the road with no power steering in rush hour traffic.
The power steering light went on when I started the car. Tried to drive the car and it was very stiff.the car was hard to drive above 20 MPH. The next morning the light was off and the steering was normal. Went to dealer and they stated the eps needed to be replaced at $ 1,700
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Acura TSX reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 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 2013 Acura TSX?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 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 8.4/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Acura TSX?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 19 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,105 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.
Is the 2013 Acura TSX a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 33 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 65,105 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.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Acura TSX?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 19 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,105 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 65,105 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 2013 Acura TSX?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 33 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, 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.