YearToAvoid

2008 Acura TSX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

44/100

#6 most-complained of 10 TSX years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2008 Acura TSX has 34 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 44 out of 100 — #6 highest of 10 TSX model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is steering (17 complaints, 50% of the total). Complaints report 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 2 injuries.

Complaints
34
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
3 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22.5
19.5 city / 28 hwy

Top 2008 Acura TSX problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Steering17 (50%)
  2. Brakes8 (24%)
  3. Electrical System4 (12%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (12%)
  5. Structure & Body3 (9%)
  6. Airbags2 (6%)
  7. Engine2 (6%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)
2008 Acura TSX complaints: complaints filed per month3Nov 2007Jun 2009Aug 2010Jun 2013Sep 2014Oct 2016Sep 2018Sep 2019
41 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2007 to Sep 2023; peak May 2008 (3).

2008 Acura TSX recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

2008 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.

2008 compared with other TSX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002005200620072008200920102011201220132014
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Good3350322.5
2007Best1122222.5
2008Good4434222.5
2009Avoid10091624
2010Avoid7863723

All Acura TSX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Acura TSX a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Acura TSX ranks #6 of 10 among TSX model years (Complaint Index 44/100, verdict: Good). It has 34 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Acura TSX?
The most reported problem areas are steering (17 complaints), brakes (8 complaints), and electrical system (4 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 63,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Acura TSX have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2008 Acura TSX, most recently reported 2013, covering electrical system and steering.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Acura TSX?
EPA rates the 2008 Acura TSX at 22.5 MPG combined (19.5 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.