MYRModel Year Report

2012 Acura TSX

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Acura TSX
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:46:05.431Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
133
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

75% of complaints

Complaints per year

2004: 142 complaints 2004 2005: 51 complaints 2006: 50 complaints 2006 2007: 22 complaints 2008: 34 complaints 2008 2009: 91 complaints 2010: 63 complaints 2010 2011: 45 complaints 2012: 133 complaints 2012 133 2013: 33 complaints 2014: 7 complaints 2014
2004: 142 complaints 2004 2005: 51 complaints 2005 2006: 50 complaints 2006 2007: 22 complaints 2007 2008: 34 complaints 2008 2009: 91 complaints 2009 2010: 63 complaints 2010 2011: 45 complaints 2011 2012: 133 complaints 2012 133 2013: 33 complaints 2013 2014: 7 complaints 2014
2004: 142 complaints 2004 2005: 51 complaints 2005 2006: 50 complaints 2006 2007: 22 complaints 2007 2008: 34 complaints 2008 2009: 91 complaints 2009 2010: 63 complaints 2010 2011: 45 complaints 2011 2012: 133 complaints 2012 133 2013: 33 complaints 2013 2014: 7 complaints 2014

2012: 133 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2004142
200551
200650
200722
200834
200991
201063
201145
2012133
201333
20147

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

75% · 100 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I had an accident in the snow and slid into the guardrail while turning. Not much body damage, but the steering completely locked. Was stuck in the road for 2 hours with the police having to block off around me. Had it towed to my mechanic.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-01-14

Also filed under Electrical system

Steering system failed-safety was a risk because wheel was very hard to turn-calling the dealer on Monday. Warning light came on right before the steering failed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-01

Electrical system

12% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing wiring.

CRASH

Service brakes

7% · 9 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Traction control didn’t work, and the large OEM seats did not hug my body as advertised, causing bodily injury when struck by another vehicle, “t-bone” on passenger side.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-01-16

Also filed under Air bags and seats

Engine

5% · 6 reports

Air bags

5% · 6 reports
CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Front end damage both sides damaged air bags did not come on wife died, dealer say bags ok but didnt know why they didnt come on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-12

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2012Complaint volume 133 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2017-02-22Air bags17V030000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2017-10-30Air bags17V545000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2018-02-16Air bags18V042000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2018-11-06Air bags18V661000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2019-04-19Engineering analysisClosed 2024-09-19 Electrical overstress
  7. R
    2019-07-05Air bags19V378000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V502000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Acura TSX — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 100 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 16 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 17V030000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V545000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V042000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V661000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V378000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V502000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Acura TSX reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Acura TSX is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Acura TSX?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 75% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Acura TSX have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.