2005 Acura TSX Problems
- Complaints
- 51filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 102,965miles, 34 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Acura TSX (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe airbag or seat belt warning lights that stay on, and airbags that deploy without a crash or fail to deploy in some crashes. Power steering hose and rack leaks, transmission slipping or loss of drive, and air conditioning compressor failures also appear in complaints. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 6,000 to 230,000 miles.
- Air bags
Airbag or seat belt warning light stays on
- 10 complaints (20%)
- median 99,000 mi at 9.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
- filed 2013–2023
Owners describe the airbag warning light coming on at start-up, flashing, or staying lit while driving. Some describe the light flashing when the passenger seat is empty, and some say the dealer told them the airbags would not deploy with the light on. Some seat belt buckle or sensor faults trigger the same light, and owners say repairs were not fully covered under a lifetime warranty. According to complaints, the dealer said the repair would be paid by the owner because no recall had been issued. Where mileage is listed, reports run from about 55,000 to 230,000 miles, and some describe the light coming on at start-up and staying on while driving.
What to check: Start the car and confirm the airbag and seat belt warning lights go out and stay off during a test drive, and ask whether the dealer has records of any restraint system repair. A technician can read stored codes from the airbag system before purchase.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“At 230,000 miles the passenger airbag light started flashing when the seat was unoccupied. At 236,000 the light is now on constantly. I have seen others complain about this same problem and have to agree that I do not understand why this years model is not covered in the takata recall. This is clearly a safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10969357, filed 2017-03, 230,000 miles“Driving on the above date (or close to the above date) a red light on the dashboard was glaring. I thought it was the seat belt light. My son informed me the red light happened to be the light for the airbag. I began watching for the red light to come on again. It consistently came on. I can't guarantee the light doesn't come on while driving because I have not personally observed the light coming on while driving to be true since I started watching. I do know for a fact that it does when starting the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10574197, filed 2014-03, 55,490 miles - Air bags
Airbags deploy unexpectedly or fail to deploy
- 10 complaints (20%)
- median 140,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
- 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2007–2019
Owners describe airbags deploying without a crash, including at about 50 mph with no impact, at low speed, and while the car was parked with the engine or air conditioning running. Other complaints describe airbags that did not deploy in crashes, or deployed only on the passenger side or only partially. Complaints describe a young child hurt or choking after a deployment, and an adult struck in the face by the driver airbag. According to complaints, the reason was often unknown, and some owners were told no recall applied to their vehicle. Where mileage is listed, reports run from about 60,000 to 210,000 miles, and some describe deployments while parked or at low speed.
What to check: Ask the seller whether any airbag or inflator replacement is documented, and check the VIN against open airbag recalls before buying. A technician can read stored airbag codes to check for past deployments or faults.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was driving alone on a icy city street and was unable to stop completely when another vehicle was turning left. My vehicle was traveling at approximately 12-15 miles per hour when it impacted the other vehicle. On the other vehicle there was no damage at all and on my 2005 Acura TSX there was a minor indentation in the front bumper caused by the other cars license plate and my passenger airbag had deployed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11184994, filed 2019-03, 138,000 miles“Acura TSX 2005 the vehicle was parking on 10/22/14 on alta arden sacramento ca. The airbags spontaneously deployed for no reason. The car was parking with A/C running. I buy this car on february 2013 I'm the second owner the carfax show an accident on 10/2009 from the first owner this make the car a salvage car but with no bigger damage so I can't believe the air bags just come out putting my family on damage just for nothing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10652763, filed 2014-11, 145,915 miles - Steering
Power steering hose or rack leaks, or fails
- 7 complaints (14%)
- median 111,000 mi at 13.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
- filed 2009–2025
Owners describe power steering fluid leaking from a hose or the rack, which can make steering assist fail or lock up, sometimes with no warning light. According to a complaint, the dealer described leaking fluid on a hot engine as a fire hazard. Complaints say the hose was replaced under a recall on related models but not this one, and that the VIN was not included in the recall campaign. Some owners describe having the rack replaced after leaks began, and a complaint says the tie rod ends were leaking too. Where mileage is listed, reports run from about 96,000 to 165,000 miles, and some describe fluid leaks or failures with no warning light.
Recall 10V1740001 related service bulletin
What to check: Check under the hood and around the steering rack for power steering fluid, and ask whether the hose or rack was replaced under a recall. Check the VIN against the power steering hose recall, since complaints say some VINs were not included.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The power steering rack started leaking and had to be replaced. I was told the tie rod ends were leaking and the entire rack would have to be replaced. I researched online and apparently it is a common issue with the TSX at this mileage.”
NHTSA complaint #10525735, filed 2013-07, 96,000 miles“In september 2009 I purchased my 2005 Acura TSX from paul burns auto group who had received the car via davis Acura. I brought it home I noticed the car was pink, especially faded paint on the hood, trunk and top of the car. After a day or two of driving I noticed a noise and had trouble steering. I took it to my mechanic and he told me there was a severe leak in power steering fluid coming from the rack. I battled with the dealer and was able to replace the rack for the half the cost it would have. …”
NHTSA complaint #10340947, filed 2010-07 - Transmission and drivetrain
Transmission slips, skips gears or loses drive
- 6 complaints (12%)
- median 95,000 mi at 10.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- filed 2006–2019
Owners describe the transmission slipping or skipping gears, failing to engage when shifted, or losing drive to the wheels. A complaint about a manual transmission describes gear teeth shearing off the final driven gear, which can damage the bearings and casing if not turned off quickly. Other complaints describe a clutch slipping in higher gears within months of purchase, and a stall at a traffic light followed by an internal transmission failure found on a later visit. A complaint says similar automatic transmission problems were reported on related Honda models, with no recall for the Acura version. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 7,000 to 155,000 miles, and some describe a clutch or gear problem within months of purchase.
What to check: On a test drive, shift through all gears and watch for slipping, skipping or delayed engagement, and confirm no transmission warning appears. Ask whether transmission or clutch repairs are documented, and whether any service bulletin on shifting was applied.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The transmission's final driven gear has gone out on me twice in the last year. As the attached image of another person's gear shows, two teeth somehow sheer off, and wreak havoc on the transmission bearings and transmission casing if not recognized and turned off immediately. Being a manual transmission, I have always been confident that the transmission's life would be much longer since the clutch takes most of the wear-and-tear of shifting gears. …”
NHTSA complaint #11002800, filed 2017-07, 120,000 miles“2005 cpo TSX has clutch slip issue at only 56k miles. We bought the car as a certified pre-owned vehicle and within 4 months, the clutch needs replacement. When we took delivery of the car, we immediately noticed the car's clutch was not grabbing hard in 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear when trying to briskly accelerate. We notified the dealership and they're 'test drive' determined there was no problem with the car. We drove for 2 more months at which time, the clutch would slip when merging on the highway in 4th, 5th, and 6th gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10353288, filed 2010-09, 58,000 miles - Engine cooling
A/C compressor or clutch failure
- 5 complaints (10%)
- median 70,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- filed 2006–2013
Owners describe the A/C stopping without warning, sometimes after a grinding noise and a loud bang. A complaint says a compressor disintegrated internally and sent metal shavings through the HVAC system, and the owner chose an aftermarket replacement to save money. A complaint says the failure came shortly after the warranty expired, and the dealer quoted a high repair estimate. Another complaint says a technician described this model's A/C system as well known to fail, and mentions a dealer note on the subject. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 7,000 to 119,000 miles, and a complaint says the compressor failed shortly after the warranty expired.
What to check: Run the A/C at idle and at highway speed, and listen for grinding or a compressor clutch that does not engage. Ask whether the compressor or clutch was replaced and whether the dealer records show any A/C repairs.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My A/C compressor has failed 20 days after my warranty expired. Compressor made grinding noise for a few seconds, then a loud bang, then stopped working. I've read that there are similar issues with 2004 vehicles that have been addressed, not sure why 2005 vehicles weren't included. Apparently they were aware that these parts were bad and wouldn't last when vehicles were manufactured. Dealer has stated repair costs to be around 2,600.”
NHTSA complaint #10459685, filed 2012-05, 70,000 miles“In june of 2012, I was traveling at approximately 60mph on a state highway when a loud grinding noise began coming from the engine. After a few moments the sound stopped and hot air began coming through my vents. I turned off my AC and pulled off the highway. This happened on a weekend and I took my car into the Acura dealership on monday. I was told that my AC compressor had disintegrated on the inside and sent metal shavings and shrapnel through the entire HVAC system. …”
NHTSA complaint #10542256, filed 2013-09, 119,000 miles
Buying note. The complaints center on airbag and seat belt warning lights, unexpected airbag deployment, and power steering leaks. Before buying, ask for records of restraint system and power steering repairs, and check the VIN against the power steering hose recall.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 44 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 51 consumer complaints for the 2005 Acura TSX. 34 of the complaints include a mileage, and 18% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 102,965 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 44 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags16 31%
- Steering7 14%
- Other or unknown6 12%
- Electrical system5 9.8%
- Engine cooling4 7.8%
- Seat belts3 5.9%
- Body and structure3 5.9%
- Tires3 5.9%
- Brakes2 3.9%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (2), Engine (1), Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Interior lighting (1), Seats (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “I was driving about 50mph when the passenger airbag deployed. Then 10-15 seconds later the driver airbag deployed. I did not have any tire blowouts or hit any objects in the street. There were no pot holes or man holes in the street where my airbags deployed. My two year old nephew was in a child safety seat in the back seat and inhaled a substantial amount of the airbag smoke and was choking which caused him to vomit. His parents will be taking him to his pediatrician on december 23, 2013. …”
NHTSA complaint #10557056, filed 2013-12, 81,000 milesSteering: “My VIN is not included in Acura r35 recall campaign of 167,000 2094-2008 4-cyl TSX re: power steering, but the vehicle (2005 4-cyl TSX) is experiencing the issue, as verified by the Acura dealership this week. From service reccomendation - red: requires immediate attention - 'leaking system was low and noisy. Just starting to leak at rack ends very minor, pump is bad'”
NHTSA complaint #11111477, filed 2018-07, 111,000 milesOther or unknown: “I was driving north bound hwy 6 towards college station texas from houston, and the vehicle started to not engage while shifting and then the vehicle gave no power to the wheels ,but all soleniods seem to be in working order. After having the vehicle towed from hempstead where it was disabled ,and after doing some research there seems to be an issue with the same generation of honda's with the same automatic transmission, but there is not a recall for their Acura counterparts. The recall id# 11v395000.”
NHTSA complaint #11277696, filed 2019-11, 155,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “2005 Acura TSX multiple failures experienced under warranty of air conditioning, transmission, exhaust manifold. Transmission not properly repaired, as result of repair errors and defects interior cabin of vehicle repeatedly flooded with several gallons of water.”
NHTSA complaint #10169386, filed 2006-09, 7,163 milesMileage when problems were reported
18% of the 34 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 145,909 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Acura TSX. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSX · sedan | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2005 Acura TSX version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSX FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,550 |
| TSX FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,750 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 13V093000Mar 15, 2013Electrical systemCovers: Acura TSX 2004–2008
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…
- 10V174000Apr 29, 2010Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connectionsCovers: Acura TSX 2004–2008
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…
- 07V097000Mar 14, 2007Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Acura TSX 2005, Honda Accord 2005, Odyssey 2005 +3 more
On certain vehicles, a coil wire inside the fuel pump relay may break, causing the fuel pump to lose power. If the fuel pump becomes inoperative, the engine may not start.
Recall details for the 2005 Acura TSX → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 44 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10165333Jul 11, 2019Suspension. This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for the outer diameter of the ball joint housing being too small. The outer diameter…
- 10143211Jul 10, 2018Equipment. Service bulletin - There are specific leak dye kits for the R-134a and R-1234yf A/C systems; make sure you use the correct kit for to the A/C system you are working on.
- 10135110Apr 17, 2018Electrical system. Tech line summary article - When adding keys or running the System Check with the Immobilizer Setup Tool in the i-HDS, are you seeing this message? "Immobilizer system is not normal". We?re aware of…
- 10193392Jan 1, 2017Equipment. Sending vehicle data to tech line.
- 10100462Nov 23, 2016Equipment. Service bulletin - navigation system information.
- 10211608Mar 18, 2016Equipment. Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
- 10128529Aug 6, 2014Air bags. Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various 2002-06 Acura models. As of August 4, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and VIN status inquiry has been…
- 10128558Jul 23, 2014Air bags. Dealer message - On Monday, June 23, 2014, Acura announced three recalls for various 2002-06 Acura models. As of July 23, 2014, affected VINs have been identified, and service bulletins 14-023…
- 10055120Mar 12, 2014Engine, Vehicle speed control. Acura: the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) is on, with dtc p2138 (accelerator pedal position sensor a/b incorrect voltage correlation), and have poor performance in engine. Model 2004-2008 tl, tsx.
- 10129517Feb 27, 2014Vehicle speed control. Dealer message - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2004-2008 TLs & TSXs with a complaint of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) on with the DTC P2138 (Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor…
Other model years of the Acura TSX
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 7 | 50,286 | 3 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 33 | 69,735 | 4 | — | 24 | 5 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 133 | 72,276 | 6 | — | 24 | 67 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 45 | 79,000 | 7 | — | 24 | 13 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 63 | 28,076 | 7 | — | 23 | 89 · More | Rising |
| 2009 | 91 | 23,000 | 6 | — | 25 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 34 | 63,000 | 2 | — | 23 | 22 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2007 | 22 | 110,300 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Falling |
| 2006 | 50 | 89,045 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 51 | 102,965 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 142 | 62,000 | 3 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Acura TSX model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Acura TSX?
Owners of this model year most often describe airbag or seat belt warning lights that stay on, and airbags that deploy without a crash or fail to deploy in some crashes. The issues reported most often: Airbag or seat belt warning light stays on; Airbags deploy unexpectedly or fail to deploy; Power steering hose or rack leaks, or fails.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Acura TSX have?
NHTSA recorded 51 consumer complaints for the 2005 Acura TSX as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2005 Acura TSX is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 16 complaints (31% of the total), followed by steering with 7.
Has the 2005 Acura TSX been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Acura TSX get?
The EPA rates the 2005 Acura TSX (TSX, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Acura TSX reported?
Among the 34 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 102,965 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 145,909 miles; 18% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.