AI Damage2012 Acura TSX: common problems
Owners of the 2012 Acura TSX filed 133 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 133
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 75% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 5% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 3% of all complaints
- 8 Electronic stability control 2% of all complaints
- Steering: 100 complaints (75% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 16 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 9 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 6 complaints (5% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 6 complaints (5% 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
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 133 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 | 100 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 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.
I traveled 150 miles to purchase a 2012 acura tsx at calidad motors in concord ca. I was told my deal went through so that is why I drove that far. When I got there, checked out the car and stated the issues to the dealership, which were promised in the deal paper work that they would get fixed.
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.
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.
There was an error message on the dash about checking the power steering system. There was also an icon displaying with a steering wheel. Luckily she was only in a parking lot when this happened and was able to stop. SHE WAS GETTING READY TO DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE.
2012 Acura TSX Sportwagon: Brought car to independent mechanic who diagnosed power steering failure as requiring replacement of "Power Steering Control Module". Acura has a "TSB" or "Technical Service Bulletin" #19-021 regarding this issue.
While driving for over two hours, nothing had rattled or sounded strange. And then all of a sudden, a crack noise and something hits the windshield and flies over the car. I almost hit the car next to me due to the suddenness.
The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the front driverâs side inflator had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
the car would shudder and there was a loud grinding coming from the front of the car. After inspection by the dealer the front 2 axles had to be replaced. The car has only been driven 70K miles. This posed dangerous driving and control issues on the Interstate. Cost of repair was $3600.
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 2,911 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 8% most complained about).
On average one model year of the TSX has 61 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 133, above 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 2012 Acura TSX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 133. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (68%), warning lights, check engine (20%), knocking, grinding or other noise (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2012 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 2012 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 2012 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.