Problems · NHTSA complaints
2004 Acura TSX problems
Owners filed 142 complaints about the 2004 Acura TSX with NHTSA between Oct 2003 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (29).
Complaints
142
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system29
- Air bags29
- Seats22
- Engine and engine cooling19
- Power train16
- Steering14
- Suspension7
- Exterior lighting7
- Seat belts7
- Engine5
- Equipment5
- Interior lighting5
- Tires4
- Electronic stability control (esc)4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
18
15
8
5
6
10
22
6
6
5
5
4
5
2
4
2
3
5
4
2
0
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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”
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.”
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”
Engine and engine cooling
19 reports2 fires1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2004 Acura TSX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal clicking sound that was coming from the instrument cluster. The contact stated that upon decelerating to come to a stop, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that while the vehicle was rolling, the contact shifted to neutral(N), restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure had been a recurring failure. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in HTSA Campaign Number: 13V093000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System), which the contact related to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however, the vehicle failed to start after the repair. The dealer informed the contact that he needed to pay a fee for diagnostic test and the repair out-of-pocket. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 335,000.”
Power train
16 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2004 Acura TSX. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a standstill, the vehicle would accelerate independently and he was unable to control the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated on 7/29/2022 while depressing the accelerator pedal, he lost control of the vehicle again. The contact knocked down a slim pole before depressing the brake pedal and shifting gears into Park to stop the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not notify the police. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The contact was able to continue driving to his destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. The VIN was not available.”
Steering
14 reports1 related recall
“They power steering is leaking badly onto exhaust pipe and not holding any fluid in the Reservoir I do not know when problem began the car had one owner prior to me , I would like to just get the recall situated and fixed if possible”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.