2006 Acura TSX Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe power steering fluid leaks from the hoses, pump or rack and pinion, which can make the steering hard to turn or fail. Brake feel and performance problems, sudden power loss or shutdowns while driving, and intermittent electrical faults are also reported. Where mileage is listed, the power steering reports range from about 78,000 to about 220,000 miles, and most fall between 90,000 and 150,000.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering fluid leaks and hard steering

   • 23 complaints (46%)
   • median 119,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2025

   Owners describe power steering fluid leaking from hoses, the pump or the rack and pinion, often with the reservoir running low or empty. As fluid drops, the steering becomes hard to turn and noisy, and in some reports it fails completely or becomes hard to control at speed. According to complaints, repairs have sometimes recurred, including after a recall hose repair. Where mileage is listed, the reports range from about 78,000 to about 220,000 miles, and most fall between 90,000 and 150,000.

   Recall 10V1740001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the power steering reservoir level and look under the car for fluid, paying attention to the hoses and steering rack. Ask whether the power steering hose recall work was completed and whether any pump or rack replacement has been documented.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After purchasing the car from a used dealer. The steering became very hard to turn as I was leaving a local retailers parking lot. I took it back to the dealer who assisted in getting the power steering fixed and now the car is starting to do it again. The steering is making funny noises and now is becoming hard to turn to the right. I fear the need to take it to the auto shop again. This is terrible!”

   NHTSA complaint #10818591, filed 2016-01, 137,000 miles

   “I recently experienced a complete failure of the power steering rack due to a major leak of fluid to the point I couldn't move the steering wheel. Thank god it happened right after I got home from driving on the highway. Just when I pulled to park in the driveway and found out the fluid in the reservoir was completely drained and empty. I added new power steering fluid and within an hour it leaked all out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11172364, filed 2019-01, 156,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brakes that feel soft, weak or fail to hold

   • 5 complaints (10%)
   • median 8,318 mi at 0.8 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2019

   Owners describe brakes that do not feel solid, sometimes with a series of vibrations or clicking when the pedal is pressed firmly. Some say the car took too long to stop or that the front brakes failed, and a parking brake that did not hold on a slight hill is also reported. According to complaints, the dealer sometimes found the brake adjustment within specification or attributed the problem to driving style. Where mileage is listed, the reports range from about 1,000 to about 150,000 miles, including a newly purchased car.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: On a test drive, press the brake firmly from a moderate speed and check for a firm pedal with no vibration or clicking. Ask the seller to confirm the parking brake holds on a slope, and request service records for any brake or parking brake work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am the original owner of the 2006 Acura TSX. Ever since the first date of purchase, the front and rear brakes pads were not always strong enough to stop the vehicle. I always have to push down the brakes hard in order to stop. I do not usually drive the vehicle in the snow. However, in april 2014, I was driving the Acura TSX in a turn on a 15 miles per hour under snow condition, and I pressed the brakes hard. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10668255, filed 2014-12, 37,000 miles

   “1st incident: the front brakes went out. I had them checked twice before the dealer replaced them. They reported they were low but blamed it on me. I complained in the beginning when I couldn't stop, and skid into intersections at red lights some times barely missing the cars in front of me. The dealers all said it was the way I was driving the car. I haven't driven this car any different from my previous cars that didn't have ABS. I've owned several new cars so I think I know how to drive a car properly by now. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10296164, filed 2009-12, 8,318 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Sudden power loss or shutdown while driving

   Mentioned in 4 of 45 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the car losing motive power or shutting off while driving, and the stall is described as coming without warning. A low-voltage prompt before a brief shutdown is described, and a power steering leak that damaged the alternator is also reported. According to complaints, a key ring caught in a steering wheel screw hole has also pulled the key out and turned the engine off. Where mileage is listed, the reports range from about 65 miles to about 144,000 miles, and some describe it at various speeds or while waiting at a traffic light.

   What to check: Ask whether the charging system and alternator have been tested, and look for stored electrical or power codes. On a test drive, watch for dash voltage warnings and confirm the engine runs steadily at low speed and in traffic.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Going around a turn my valet key on my key ring was lodged into a screw hole in my steering wheel causing my key to come out of my ignition and turn off my car. I was about to go into a curb but I was able to use my brakes.”

   NHTSA complaint #10276898, filed 2009-07

   “Acura TSX 2006 6speed occasionallycar at low speedor wait traffic lightprompt low voltagecar power off and restartat before car power failure 5 minutesyou can hear in the audio speaker outgoing electric current soundthen vehicle shutdown 1 secondinstant return to normalhow to solve help please thank you”

   NHTSA complaint #11255779, filed 2019-09, 65 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Intermittent electrical faults

   • 7 complaints (14%)
   • median 37,500 mi at 6.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2022

   Owners describe intermittent electrical faults, including an interior light above the mirror that turns on by itself and drains the battery, and a horn that works only some of the time. A no-start in the morning is reported even with a new battery, and a mechanic reportedly could not find the cause although the vehicle passed tests. Repairs described can be costly, including a horn switch that reportedly required removing an airbag. Where mileage is listed, the reports range from about 65 miles to about 100,000 miles, and the no-start report describes a car that is driven every day.

   What to check: On a test drive, check the interior light and horn, and confirm the car starts reliably on a cold morning. Ask whether any electrical or no-start diagnosis has been recorded and whether the battery and charging system were tested.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This 06 Acura TSX car has a problem with the interior lighting above the rear view mirror, not working properly. Lights will not work most of the time but will come on, on their own uncommaneded and drain your car battery.this push for on lights cannot be determined if they are commanded on or off. I know two more cars years 04 to 06 with this same problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10480594, filed 2012-10, 60,000 miles

   “Horn works intermittently. $700 to pull and replace an airbag to replace a 45 cent switch is an absurdity. Hey, honda/Acura...who do you think you are with that sweet sh*t, GM?”

   NHTSA complaint #11004839, filed 2017-07, 100,000 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year may want to check the power steering reservoir level and look for fluid under the car, and ask whether the hose recall was completed. Brake feel, electrical behavior and starting are also worth testing on a drive before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 45 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.