Research · Compact Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2011 Acura TSXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 47 owner complaints for the 2011 Acura TSX. Most complaints involve steering (19) and air bags (11). The EPA rates it 22–25 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22–25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
47
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V502000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Air bagsReported May 16, 2019NHTSA 19V378000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Lastly, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot, 2011-2013 TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord and 2010-2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Sep 27, 2018NHTSA 18V661000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

47 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2012 – Jul 2025
  1. Steering19
  2. Air bags11
  3. Service brakes8
  4. Engine4
  5. Electrical system3
  6. Structure2
  7. Fuel/propulsion system2
  8. Power train1
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)1

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
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

19 reports1 crash
“While driving my 2011 Acura TSX wagon on 10 July 2021, the power steering failure indicator light came on while crossing a bridge and my power steering immediately failed. After the vehicle was towed home, I searched the manual and found there is no power steering reservoir to check for fluid. So I researched YouTube and found that this power steering has been a major problem with this vehicle. This is extremely dangerous and as I was on a bridge the danger was even greater as I could not pull over. I managed to safely exit but could not pull into a parking lot as there was not enough distance to keep the vehicle moving and I was unable to turn the wheel while the vehicle was almost at a standstill. When I got the car home, I researched how to correct the problem. Since the manual was useless, I turned to YouTube and proceeded to check the fuse first. It was not blown. The steering control module needs to be replaced and the authorized dealership wants $1500 to $2000 to replace. My car has been well maintained and just turned 80,000 miles. This is a safety issue and could have put me in a very dangerous situation since I was unable to steer my vehicle! Please…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2021SteeringODI 11424292

Air bags

11 reports
“The contact owns a 2011 Acura TSX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V661000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact attempted to contact the dealer; however, the contact was unable to speak with a representative. The manufacturer was contacted; however, the contact was only able to reach an automated system that stated there was no recall. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 23, 2025Air bagsODI 11675544

Service brakes

8 reports
“ABS/VSA WARNING LIGHT IN INSTRUMENT PANEL COMES ON AT START-UP, OTHER TIMES WHEN DRIVING, THEN DISAPPEARS ONLY TO COME BACK ON AGAIN AND LATER RE-APPEAR, DISAPPEARS, INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER HAS QUOTED $2,900 FOR ABS/VSA MODULE 57110-TL2-S21 TO WHICH I SAID NO WAY. DID QUICK SURVEY ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM ON THOSE VEHICLES, AND 2 OR 3 MODEL YEARS.. THINK NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AS IT'S SAFETY RELATED AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND, QUITE POSSIBLY, FATAL RESULTS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 25, 2021Service brakesODI 11397919
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-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 Oct 27, 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
223125$3,200355
TSX
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$3,300370
TSX Wagon
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222924$3,300370
TSX
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$3,600404
  • TSX
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • TSX
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • TSX Wagon
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • TSX
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Acura TSX as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 280Vehicle 281
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

2011 TSX questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Acura TSX have?

7 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 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 2011 Acura TSX problems?

Owners filed 47 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (19), air bags (11), service brakes (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Acura TSX get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Acura TSX at 22–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026