2011 Acura TSX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#3 most-complained of 5 TSX years
The 2011 Acura TSX has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 3rd worst out of 5 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Steering complaints lead at 40% share, with 7 recalls mostly tied to Takata airbag inflators.
- Complaints
- 45
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
Top 2011 Acura TSX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering18 (40%)
- Airbags11 (24%)
- Brakes8 (18%)
- Engine5 (11%)
- Electrical System3 (7%)
- Fuel System2 (4%)
- Structure & Body2 (4%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (2%)
What owners report
- Some owners describe unintended acceleration while backing up, with the engine surging despite no throttle input, in one case causing a crash into a garage wall.
- Power steering (EPS) modules reportedly fail repeatedly, with some owners needing a third replacement module and no factory fix available.
- Owners report a popping noise followed by an electrical fire while the vehicle was parked, without prior warning lights.
- Fuel system complaints describe hesitation at low speed or while turning, where pressing the accelerator produces no response until a delayed jerk forward.
- Brake pedals reportedly turn stiff and lose power assist in freezing temperatures, requiring extra force or the emergency brake to stop the car.
- Multiple owners report long waits for Takata airbag inflator recall parts, with some told not to carry passengers in the meantime.
2011 Acura TSX recalls
7 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 18V661000Sep 27, 2018Airbags1,355,406 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the 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. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag 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 November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.
2011 Acura TSX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 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.
2011 compared with other TSX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Acura TSX reliable?
- Compared to other TSX years, 2011 lands in the middle with a Caution verdict, a complaint index of 50, and rank 3 out of 5 model years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Acura TSX?
- Steering is the top problem area, making up 40% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 79,000 miles across all reported issues.
- Does the 2011 Acura TSX have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2011 Acura TSX, and all of them involve airbag components, primarily Takata inflator replacements.
- How does the 2011 TSX compare to the 2012 and 2013 TSX?
- The 2012 TSX has a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, while the 2013 TSX scores 25 with a Good verdict; the 2011 TSX sits between them at 50.