2012 Acura TSX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 5 TSX years
The 2012 Acura TSX ranks worst of 5 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 133 complaints, 75% about Steering. It carries 6 recalls, all airbag-related, and NHTSA lists 4 crashes and 1 death.
- Complaints
- 133
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
Top 2012 Acura TSX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering100 (75%)
- Electrical System16 (12%)
- Brakes11 (8%)
- Engine7 (5%)
- Airbags6 (5%)
- Structure & Body5 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (4%)
- Other4 (3%)
- Fuel System2 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (1%)
What owners report
- Steering can lock up suddenly, sometimes during a crash or slide, leaving the vehicle stuck in the road.
- Electrical faults trigger steering lockups paired with warning codes that a mechanic could not clear.
- Engine hesitates or briefly delays response when RPMs climb between roughly 3500 and 4200, sometimes with sporadic stalling.
- Engine hesitation occurs repeatedly during moderate acceleration from under 20 mph, even after dealer inspection found no cause.
- Passenger airbags may fail to deploy in a frontal or side-impact crash.
- Owners report unresolved body and structural issues promised as repairs by a dealer at time of purchase.
2012 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 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.
2012 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.
2012 compared with other TSX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Acura TSX reliable?
- Compared with other TSX model years, 2012 ranks worst, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 133 owner complaints, most tied to Steering.
- What is the main problem with the 2012 Acura TSX?
- Steering accounts for 75% of complaints (100 of 133), with a median failure mileage of 74,000 miles, and includes reports of steering locking up.
- Does the 2012 Acura TSX have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Acura TSX, all involving the passenger frontal airbag inflator or module.
- Which Acura TSX year should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2012 and 2010 are both flagged Avoid, with Complaint Index scores of 100 and 75 respectively, while 2014 scores 0 and is rated Best.
- How many complaints and recalls does the 2012 Acura TSX have?
- NHTSA lists 133 complaints and 6 recalls for the 2012 Acura TSX, along with 4 crashes and 1 reported death.