2006 Acura TSX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2006 Acura TSX ranks 7th out of 10 model years with a complaint index of 33 and earns a Good verdict relative to other TSX years. Steering complaints dominate at 48% of the 50 total complaints, but the year has only 3 recalls and no fire reports.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #7 of 10 TSX years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 50
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2006 Acura TSX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering24 (48%)
- Electrical System9 (18%)
- Brakes7 (14%)
- Structure & Body7 (14%)
- Engine5 (10%)
- Airbags4 (8%)
- Fuel System2 (4%)
- Other2 (4%)
- Seat Belts2 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel makes a moaning noise when turning left or right at low speeds, sometimes returning even after the cable reel was replaced.
- Parking brake reportedly failed to hold the vehicle on a slight hill, letting it roll backward into a tree.
- Owners describe needing to press brake pedals hard to stop, including one loss of control during a turn in snowy conditions.
- Airbags did not deploy in a head-on crash at approximately 50 mph despite significant front-end damage.
- Driver's seat squeaks and creaks when weight shifts, especially during left turns, a problem some link to seat rail alignment.
- A valet key lodged in a steering wheel screw hole caused the key to pop out of the ignition and shut off the car.
2006 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 06V270000Jul 26, 2006Other1,190,000 vehicles
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
On certain passenger vehicles and motorcycles, the owner's manuals contain incorrect contact information for the national highway traffic safety administration's (NHTSA) vehicle safety hotline.
Risk: The language in the owner's manuals is not in accordance with the current mandatory requirements.
Remedy: Honda will send a postcard to dealers and owners with the correct NHTSA vehicle safety hotline information and with instructions to insert the card into the "reporting safety defects" section of the owner's manual. The recall began on august 2, 2006. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009, acura at 1-800-382-2238 or honda motorcycles at 1-866-784-1870.
2006 Acura TSX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28 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.
2006 compared with other TSX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Acura TSX reliable?
- Relative to other TSX model years, the 2006 is rated Good, ranking 7th out of 10 years with a complaint index of 33. Its top problem area is steering, accounting for 48% of its 50 complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Acura TSX?
- Steering complaints are the most common, making up 24 of the 50 total complaints (48%), with a median mileage at failure of 119,000 miles.
- Does the 2006 Acura TSX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2006 TSX, covering the electrical system (ECU damage), steering (power steering hose deterioration), and an owner's manual correction. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2006 TSX compare to other years?
- The 2006 TSX has a lower complaint index (33) than the 2005 (56, Caution), 2009 (100, Avoid), 2010 (78, Avoid), and 2012 (89, Avoid) model years, making it one of the better years for the TSX.