2005 Acura TSX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
56/100
#5 most-complained of 10 TSX years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2005 Acura TSX has a complaint index of 56, ranking 5th worst of 10 model years, with a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area (31% of complaints, 16 cases, 5 crashes), and NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering electrical, steering, and fuel system components.
- Complaints
- 51
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 27.5 hwy
Top 2005 Acura TSX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags16 (31%)
- Other7 (14%)
- Steering7 (14%)
- Electrical System6 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain6 (12%)
- Engine5 (10%)
- Structure & Body4 (8%)
- Seat Belts3 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (6%)
- Brakes2 (4%)
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy or only partially deploy during crashes, sometimes with vehicles declared total losses.
- Front tires lose air suddenly at highway speed with broken steel belts or sidewall blisters found on inspection.
- A seat heater reportedly caused smoke and fire while the vehicle was parked or driving.
- Rear bumper paint discolored and peeled, with dealers reportedly slow to acknowledge the defect.
- Engine stalled repeatedly at highway speed with no error code found by the dealer's diagnostic tools.
2005 Acura TSX recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V093000Mar 15, 2013Electrical System76,253 vehicles
Electrical system
Honda is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Acura TSX vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In states that use corrosive materials for deicing, driver's footwear may bring in materials that saturate the vehicle's carpeting, which is in contact with the vehicle's engine Electronic Control Unit (ECU). As a result, the ECU case may experience rust or corrosion. This damage may potentially cause the engine to stall.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and Acura dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any damaged ECU, free of charge. All vehicles will have a waterproof cover installed onto the ECU, free of charge. The recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1-800-382-2238 and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.acura.com.
- NHTSA 10V174000Apr 29, 2010Steering167,255 vehicles
Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose, piping, and connections
Honda is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2008 acura tsx passenger vehicles manufactured between september 25, 2002 and february 13, 2008. Prolonged high under hood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely and may cause the hose to crack and leak power steering oil.
Risk: Oil leaking onto a hot exhaust pipe will generate smoke and a burning smell, and could potentially result in an under hood fire.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began may 28, 2010. Owners may contact acura client services at 1-800-382-2238.
- NHTSA 07V097000Mar 14, 2007Fuel System166,561 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
On certain vehicles, a coil wire inside the fuel pump relay may break, causing the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start.
Risk: If the fuel pump loses power while driving, the engine could stall without warning, and a crash could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump relay free of charge. The recall began on april 2, 2007. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
2005 Acura TSX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,550
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other TSX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Acura TSX reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2005 TSX a complaint index of 56, the 5th worst of 10 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other TSX years. Airbags are the leading complaint area, with 16 reports and 5 crashes.
- Does the 2005 Acura TSX have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 TSX: an electrical system ECU issue, a power steering hose deterioration issue, and a fuel pump relay wire that could break and stall the engine.
- What is the biggest complaint about the 2005 Acura TSX?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 31% of complaints (16 reports) and involved in 5 crashes, with a median failure mileage of 139,000 miles.
- How does the 2005 TSX compare to other TSX years?
- The 2005 TSX's complaint index of 56 is worse than 2006 (33), 2007 (11), 2008 (44), and 2013-2014 (22 and 0, both rated Best), but better than 2009, 2010, and 2012, which are rated Avoid.