2009 Acura TSX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Acura TSX ranks worst among all 10 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100, 91 complaints, and 6 airbag recalls. Airbags, brakes, and engine issues dominate owner reports, making this the year to avoid within the TSX lineup.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 10 TSX years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 91
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 20.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 1
Top 2009 Acura TSX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags27 (30%)
- Brakes25 (27%)
- Engine24 (26%)
- Structure & Body7 (8%)
- Electrical System6 (7%)
- Other5 (5%)
- Steering4 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (4%)
- Fuel System3 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Driver-side airbag failed to deploy during side-impact crashes while other airbags deployed.
- Airbags deployed unexpectedly at low speeds, causing the driver to lose control and crash.
- Steering wheel reportedly locked mid-turn, preventing the driver from steering around an obstacle.
- A rattling or knocking noise from the engine during acceleration was reported by multiple owners, with dealers calling it normal.
- Owners suspected the engine noise pointed to a fuel system or long-term engine damage issue that dealers declined to address.
2009 Acura TSX recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V502000Jun 27, 2019Airbags9,555 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
- NHTSA 19V378000May 16, 2019Airbags19,138 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
Risk: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
- NHTSA 18V042000Jan 9, 2018Airbags691,726 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.
2009 Acura TSX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 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.
2009 compared with other TSX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Acura TSX reliable?
- Compared with other TSX model years, the 2009 ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 91 complaints, 27 of them tied to airbags.
- What is the top problem with the 2009 Acura TSX?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 27 complaints, 30% of the total, and 5 crashes, with a median failure mileage of 60,000.
- Does the 2009 Acura TSX have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2009 TSX, all related to airbag inflators.
- What year Acura TSX should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2009, 2010, and 2012 TSX years are rated Avoid, while 2013 and 2014 rate Best.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2009 Acura TSX?
- NHTSA lists 91 complaints for the 2009 Acura TSX, along with 7 crashes, 7 injuries, and 1 death.