AI Damage2006 Acura TSX: common problems
Owners of the 2006 Acura TSX filed 50 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 50
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 48% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 8% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- Steering: 24 complaints (48% of all).
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 4 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 4 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 50 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Acura tsx 2006 6speed occasionallycar at low speedor wait traffic lightprompt low voltagecar power off and restartat before car power failure 5 minutesyou can hear in the audio speaker outgoing electric current soundthen vehicle shutdown 1 secondinstant return to normalhow to solve help please thank you
I am the original owner of the 2006 acura tsx. Ever since the first date of purchase, the front and rear brakes pads were not always strong enough to stop the vehicle. I always have to push down the brakes hard in order to stop. I do not usually drive the vehicle in the snow.
The airbags did not deploy. Both frame rails were bent and everything at the front of the car was pushed back towards the engine. The fenders were bent, the bumper was destroyed, the doors didn't open and close properly. My insurance declared the car a total loss b/c of the severe damage.
Newly purchased (approximately 1000 miles on odometer) 2006 acura tsx 6 speed manual shift was parked on slight hill in neutral with parking brake on. After being parked there for some time parking brake failed to hold vehicle and vehicle rolled backwards down driveway striking tree. Damage to trunk occurred.
The power steering is leaking constantly as soon as u pour it in the car drive it 2 miles all leaks out and have to refill in order for the power steering to work correctly and there is a recall for it on this vehicle.
Power steering rack & pinion always leaks on these vehicles. It is possible to lose all pressure in system and for vehicle to lose control while on the road. Acura is aware of the issue on 04-08 TSX models but refuses to issue a recall. On my personal vehicle, the driver's side seal is leaking.
The power steering fluid gets low and needs to be refilled every few months. Steering rack eventually springs leak every single time. Already had hose replaced from recall.
The morning, the car would not start even though the battery is new and the car is driven everyday and mechanics can not find the problem and it passes all tests when checked for problems.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,345 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).
On average one model year of the TSX has 61 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 50, below average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Acura TSX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 50. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (40%), won't start (4%), seat belts (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2006 Acura TSX?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2006 Acura TSX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2006 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.