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Research · Compact Cars

2013 Acura TSXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 33 owner complaints for the 2013 Acura TSX. Most complaints involve steering (19) and air bags (5). The EPA rates it 22–25 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jun 2019
Owner complaints
33
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 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
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

33 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2013 – May 2026
  1. Steering19
  2. Air bags5
  3. Electrical system3
  4. Service brakes2
  5. Tires2
  6. Chest clip, buckle, harness1
  7. Visibility/wiper1
  8. Power train1
  9. Engine1

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
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
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
“DRIVING STRAIGHT ROAD IN TOWN GOING MAYBE 40 MPH, ALERT CAME ON SAYING CHECK POWER STEERING. WHEEL EXTREMELY HARD TO MANUEVER, BARELY TURNED INTO CLOSEST PARKING LOT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT A SHOP WAITING TO BE FIXED, WHATEVER THAT MEANS.... $$$$$$$”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2021SteeringODI 11394964

Air bags

5 reports1 crash
“The airbags did not deploy when I got in the front end accident”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 6, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11665393

Electrical system

3 reports
“ABS / VSA module failed at 90k miles causing spongy brakes. Acura quoted me $3500 for a new module which is more than the value of the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2026Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11740546
All 2013 TSX problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
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$3,200349
TSX
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$3,300373
TSX Wagon
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222924$3,300361
TSX
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$3,600394
  • 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.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 Acura TSX as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 7260
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

2013 TSX questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Acura TSX have?

4 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 2013 Acura TSX problems?

Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (19), air bags (5), electrical system (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Acura TSX get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Acura TSX at 22–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026