2012 Acura TSX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Acura TSX carries a complaint index of 89, the second-worst of 10 model years, and is rated Avoid. Steering complaints dominate at 75% of reports, with 6 airbag-related recalls also on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #2 of 10 TSX years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 133
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 1
Top 2012 Acura TSX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering can lock up suddenly while driving, including during turns or slides, leaving the car stuck and unresponsive.
- Engine rpm climbs between roughly 3,500 and 4,200 and the engine hesitates or briefly delays before responding, sometimes followed by stalling.
- Engine hesitation occurs repeatedly when accelerating moderately from below 20 mph, occurring dozens of times per owner in some cases.
- Electrical faults can trigger a steering lockup that a mechanic cannot diagnose or clear with a code reader, requiring dealer service.
- Airbags reportedly fail to deploy in a frontal crash despite the dealer confirming the bags tested as functional.
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?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 TSX ranks 2nd worst out of 10 model years with a complaint index of 89, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other TSX years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Acura TSX?
- Steering issues make up 75% of complaints (100 of 133), with a median failure mileage of 74,000 miles, making it the top problem area by far.
- Does the 2012 Acura TSX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2012 TSX, all related to airbags, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year TSX should I avoid?
- Among TSX model years, 2009 has the highest complaint index at 100, followed by 2012 at 89 and 2010 at 78, all rated Avoid or Caution, while 2013 and 2014 are rated Best.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Acura TSX?
- NHTSA records 133 complaints for the 2012 Acura TSX, including 4 crashes, 1 injury, and 1 death.