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Research · Compact Cars

2004 Acura TSXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 142 owner complaints for the 2004 Acura TSX. Most complaints involve electrical system (29) and air bags (29). The EPA rates it 22–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–23mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
142
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,350est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Vehicle speed controlReported Oct 10, 2019NHTSA 19E068000

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

Honda is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Acura TSX vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In states that use corrosive materials for deicing, driver's footwear may bring in materials that saturate the vehicle's carpeting, which is in contact with the vehicle's engine Electronic Control Unit (ECU). As a result, the ECU case may experience rust or corrosion. This damage may potentially cause the engine to stall.

Engine and engine coolingReported Mar 15, 2013NHTSA 13V093000

Steering: hose, piping, and connections

Free remedy

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 ACURA TSX PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 25, 2002 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008. PROLONGED HIGH UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY AND MAY CAUSE THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING OIL.

SteeringReported Apr 29, 2010NHTSA 10V174000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

142 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2003 – Apr 2026
  1. Electrical system29
  2. Air bags29
  3. Seats22
  4. Engine and engine cooling19
  5. Power train16
  6. Steering14
  7. Suspension7
  8. Exterior lighting7
  9. Seat belts7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each TSX model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004142
200551
200650
200722
200834
200991
201063
201147
2012145
201333
20147
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

29 reports1 fire
“While driving the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly shutoff and powered on again. After do some diagnostics we determined is was the ECU/ECM. The ECM has corrosion on the top which caused salty water to eat through the lid. Doing some research this vehicle make and model has recall but doesn’t show up under my vin. I’ve contacted the manufacturer which was willing to help but the dealership seems to not want to help since no recall was under the vin so the manufacturer “HONDA” has closed the case but hasn’t given me any answer to why. I’m in contact again with the manufacturer waiting for a call back hopefully today 4-21-26”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11732723

Air bags

29 reports7 crashes
“2004 ACURA TSX: I SAT IN MY CAR IDLE FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO EAT. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. WITHIN 5 SECONDS THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED. THESE CREATED THE LOUDEST NOISE I HAVE EVER HEARD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR BACK IN PARK AND JUMPED OUT AS THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH A DUSTY CLOUD. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AT AN ACURA DEALERSHIP EVERY 5,000 - 6,000 MILES SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2020Air bagsODI 11339282

Seats

22 reports
“POWER DRIVER'S SEAT SHIFTS DURING HARD BREAKING/ACCELERATION. SEAT SHIFTS FORWARD AND BACK LESS THAN AN INCH. THIS CAN BE TROUBLESOME WHEN ACCELERATING AND IT CAUSES MY FOOT TO SLIP OFF OF THE CLUTCH AND JUMP SUDDENLY. COULD CAUSE ME TO INVOLUNTARILY SLAM INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE DEALERS LOOK AT THIS AND THEY HAVE ALL TOLD ME IT IS BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE SEAT WAS DESIGNED AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX IT. A MOVING SEAT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 25, 2009SeatsODI 10263022
All 2004 TSX problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
TSX
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202923$3,350386
TSX
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$3,500404
  • TSX
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • TSX
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Acura TSX as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1013
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 TSX questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Acura TSX have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Acura TSX problems?

Owners filed 142 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (29), air bags (29), seats (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Acura TSX get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Acura TSX at 22–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026