What year Acura TSX should I avoid?

Avoid the 2010 and 2012 Acura TSX. The 2012 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and 133 complaints, while the 2010 has a Complaint Index of 75 and 63 complaints, both well above other years.

What is the best year for the Acura TSX?

The 2014 Acura TSX is the best year, with a Complaint Index of 0, only 7 complaints, and no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.

What is the most common problem with the Acura TSX?

Steering is the top problem area across all TSX model years, accounting for 142 complaints, or 51% of the total 281 complaints filed with NHTSA.

Does the Acura TSX have any recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the TSX across the 2010-2014 model years, including several airbag inflator recalls that affect the 2010 and 2012 models.

Is the 2011 Acura TSX reliable?

The 2011 TSX is rated Caution, with a Complaint Index of 50, 45 complaints, and 7 recalls, placing it between the higher-complaint 2010/2012 years and the cleaner 2013-2014 years.

Acura TSX Best and Worst Years (2010–2014)

Avoid the 2010 and 2012 Acura TSX, which have Complaint Index scores of 75 and 100 and the model's highest complaint counts (63 and 133). The 2014 TSX is the best year, with only 7 complaints and a Complaint Index of 0.

Avoid 2010 Avoid 2012 Best 2014

Model years: 5; 2010–2014
NHTSA complaints: 281
Recall campaigns: 7
Crashes reported: 16
Fires reported: 1
Top problem area: Steering

TSX Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Acura TSX problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Avoid	75	63	7	0	7	Airbags	23	—
2011	Caution	50	45	3	1	7	Steering	24	—
2012	Avoid	100	133	4	0	6	Steering	24	—
2013	Good	25	33	2	0	4	Steering	24	—
2014	Best	0	7	0	0	3	Brakes	24	—

TSX years to avoid: what went wrong

2012 Acura TSX Index 100 · 133 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2012 TSX is the worst year in the lineup, with 133 complaints, the highest Complaint Index (100), and 6 recalls. Steering dominates at 75% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 74,000; owners described steering locking up during driving, in one case after a crash into a guardrail. Electrical System problems followed at 12% (median 75,000 miles), and Brakes at 8% (median 71,000 miles). Four crashes, one death, and one injury were reported. The same three airbag inflator recalls that affect the 2010 model year also apply to 2012.

2012 steering problems →2012 electrical system problems →

2010 Acura TSX Index 75 · 63 complaints · 7 recalls

The 2010 TSX logged 63 complaints and 7 recalls, with a Complaint Index of 75. Airbags led problem reports at 32% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 80,000, including reports of seat belts failing to extend. Brakes followed at 27%, with owners describing stiff or unresponsive pedals in cold weather at a median mileage of 28,000. Electrical System issues made up 13% at a median 30,606 miles. Seven crashes and six injuries were reported. Three airbag inflator recalls apply to this year, tied to the wider Honda/Takata inflator recall campaigns.

2010 airbags problems →2010 brakes problems →

Most common Acura TSX problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Steering142 (51%)
Airbags43 (15%)
Brakes43 (15%)
Electrical System32 (11%)
Engine22 (8%)
Other12 (4%)
Structure & Body12 (4%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (4%)
Transmission & Powertrain9 (3%)
Fuel System6 (2%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Acura TSX should I avoid?: Avoid the 2010 and 2012 Acura TSX. The 2012 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and 133 complaints, while the 2010 has a Complaint Index of 75 and 63 complaints, both well above other years.
What is the best year for the Acura TSX?: The 2014 Acura TSX is the best year, with a Complaint Index of 0, only 7 complaints, and no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths.
What is the most common problem with the Acura TSX?: Steering is the top problem area across all TSX model years, accounting for 142 complaints, or 51% of the total 281 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Does the Acura TSX have any recalls?: NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the TSX across the 2010-2014 model years, including several airbag inflator recalls that affect the 2010 and 2012 models.
Is the 2011 Acura TSX reliable?: The 2011 TSX is rated Caution, with a Complaint Index of 50, 45 complaints, and 7 recalls, placing it between the higher-complaint 2010/2012 years and the cleaner 2013-2014 years.