YearToAvoid

2013 Acura TSX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

25/100

#4 most-complained of 5 TSX years

The 2013 Acura TSX has 33 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls, with a complaint index of 25 — ranking it 4th worst of 5 model years and earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other TSX years. Steering issues dominate, making up 58% of complaints.

Complaints
33
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
21.5 city / 29 hwy

Top 2013 Acura TSX problems

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

  1. Steering19 (58%)
  2. Airbags5 (15%)
  3. Brakes4 (12%)
  4. Electrical System4 (12%)
  5. Engine2 (6%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
  7. Other1 (3%)
  8. Structure & Body1 (3%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Power steering warning light illuminates and steering becomes stiff or hard to turn above 20 mph, sometimes resolving on its own by the next day.
  • Electric power steering (EPS) system reportedly gives out while driving, causing the steering wheel to lock up.
  • Electronic steering module failure reported around 45,000 miles, described as a common and costly issue.
  • Headlight beam pattern creates a shadow in front of the vehicle at night, raising visibility concerns on winding roads.
  • Rodents reportedly chew through wiring insulation, damaging electrical wires near the 69,470-mile mark.
  • Owners report delays getting the Takata airbag inflator recall parts and repairs completed.
2013 Acura TSX complaints: complaints filed per month3Jul 2013Jan 2018Dec 2018Feb 2020Feb 2021Jun 2022May 2024
40 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2013 to May 2026; peak Aug 2014 (3).

2013 Acura TSX recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2013 Acura TSX →

2013 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.

2013 compared with other TSX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132014
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Caution5045724
2012Avoid100133624
2013Good2533424
2014Best07324

All Acura TSX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Acura TSX reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2013 TSX has 33 complaints and a complaint index of 25, the second-lowest among the 5 model years covered, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other TSX years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Acura TSX?
Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 19 of 33 complaints (58%), with a median failure mileage of 67,500 miles.
Does the 2013 Acura TSX have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2013 TSX, all related to Takata airbag inflators, spanning campaigns from 2018 to 2019.
How does the 2013 Acura TSX compare to other TSX years?
The 2013 TSX has a complaint index of 25, better than 2010 (75), 2011 (50), and 2012 (100), but worse than 2014 (0), which ranks as the Best year.
What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Acura TSX?
EPA rates the 2013 TSX at 24 mpg combined (21.5 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300.

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.