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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Engine5
  11. Equipment5
  12. Interior lighting5
  13. Tires4
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20033
200418
200515
20068
20075
20086
200910
201022
20116
20126
20135
20145
20154
20165
20172
20184
20192
20203
20215
20224
20232
20240
20251
20261

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.

03 —Owner reports

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”
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

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 18, 2025Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 11655508

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2022Power train, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11476850

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 16, 2023SteeringODI 11538959
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.