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2004 Acura Tsx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tsx years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Acura Tsx are substantially higher than the model-year median of 50.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

104 reports with mileage · 38 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

142 reports
54,000 miles · Nov 8, 2009
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

I WAS ON A HEAD ON COLLISION IN MY 2004 ACURA TSX AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF. I (THE DRIVER) WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR. SOMEHOW THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT NOT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, THE REASON FOR CONCERN ARE TWO, FIRST WITH NOT ENOUGH WEIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE…

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I WAS ON A HEAD ON COLLISION IN MY 2004 ACURA TSX AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF. I (THE DRIVER) WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR. SOMEHOW THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT NOT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, THE REASON FOR CONCERN ARE TWO, FIRST WITH NOT ENOUGH WEIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OFF, (WHAT IF THERE WAS A SMALL CHILD SEATING THERE), AND ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF. ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT DID NOT PROTECT ME AND IT FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY RESTRAINT AND NOW IS BROKEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10291372

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

ACURA TSX 2004. TURNED ON THE AC WHILE DRIVING, NOTHING BUT WARM AIR WAS COMING IN. RESEARCHED ON-LINE FOR "04 TSX AIR CONDITIONER BROKEN" AND TO MY SURPRISE, THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER 04 TSX OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE/PROBLEM - AN ACURA SERVICE ADVISOR HAS INDICATED THAT THERE HAVE A NUMBER OF FOLKS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE…

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ACURA TSX 2004. TURNED ON THE AC WHILE DRIVING, NOTHING BUT WARM AIR WAS COMING IN. RESEARCHED ON-LINE FOR "04 TSX AIR CONDITIONER BROKEN" AND TO MY SURPRISE, THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER 04 TSX OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE/PROBLEM - AN ACURA SERVICE ADVISOR HAS INDICATED THAT THERE HAVE A NUMBER OF FOLKS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND THAT THE TOTAL COST IS APPROX. $4000.00. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE AC UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED - AC COMPRESSOR FAILURE CAUSED METAL SHAVINGS TO BE SPREAD THROUGH THE SYSTEM - TOTAL COST APPROX. $4500.00. CONTACTED ACURA CLIENT SERVICES (HTTP://WWW.ACURA.COM/CLIENTSERVICES.ASPX), BUT HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO TO ASSIST ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264973

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ACURA 2004 TSX OWNER. JUST RECENTLY DISCOVERED THIS SITE; BUT AS WITH THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCE THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE/SHIMMY WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER, 1ST WHEN I HAD 12,000 MILES, AND BEING A NAIVE 1ST TIME CAR OWNER, I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE BRAKES (APPRX. $300.00) FOR …

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ACURA 2004 TSX OWNER. JUST RECENTLY DISCOVERED THIS SITE; BUT AS WITH THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCE THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE/SHIMMY WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER, 1ST WHEN I HAD 12,000 MILES, AND BEING A NAIVE 1ST TIME CAR OWNER, I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE BRAKES (APPRX. $300.00) FOR A BRAND NEW CAR! I THEN EXPERIENCED THIS AT APPROX. 25,000 MILES, AND AGAIN HAD TO PAY $300.00 FOR A NEW SET OF BRAKES. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH ACURA - AND AS STATED BY OTHERS ON THIS DATABASE, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO POSSIBLE INJURY DUE TO BRAKE MALFUNCTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264972

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2009
Seats

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10263022

70,000 miles · Feb 16, 2009
Electrical System

STARTED CAR ONE NIGHT AND CLOCK, RADIO AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL LIGHTS ALL WERE OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258889

64,000 miles · Jan 25, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I TOOK MY 04 ACURA TSX IN FOR A ELECTRONIC RECALL OF THE RADIO DASH LIGHT. THIS REQUIRED A NEW CIRCUIT BOARD. DURING THAT SAME VISIT I GOT MY TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED. A WEEK AFTER THE SERVICE WAS DONE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK MY CARE TO THE SHOP IMMEDIATELY. WAS TOLD MY "TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER" HAS GONE BAD …

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I TOOK MY 04 ACURA TSX IN FOR A ELECTRONIC RECALL OF THE RADIO DASH LIGHT. THIS REQUIRED A NEW CIRCUIT BOARD. DURING THAT SAME VISIT I GOT MY TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED. A WEEK AFTER THE SERVICE WAS DONE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK MY CARE TO THE SHOP IMMEDIATELY. WAS TOLD MY "TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER" HAS GONE BAD AND THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COS $1,600 +. MY CAR ONLY HAD 64K MILES AND VERY WELL MAINTAINED. I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM ON CARS WITH LOW MILES (50K TO 65K MILES). THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT I HAVE A HONDA PRODUCT AND IT REQUIRES $1600 WORTH OF REPAIRS WITH THIS LOW OF MILES. FINDING MANY OTHERS ONLINE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM MAKES ME THINK THIS SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF RECALL ON THE MANUFACTURES PART. PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10256253

86,000 miles · Jan 4, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THEY TRAVEL LOWER AND FEEL SOFTER THAN NORMAL AND ARE NOT RESPONSIVE. BRAKES WILL LOSE TRACTION, CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL WHEN STOPPED. AT A NATIONAL BRAKE REPAIR SERVICE PROVIDER, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD FLUSH THE BRAKE SYSTEM (WHICH TEMPORARILY IMPROVED THE ISSUE FOR ABOUT A WEEK), BUT AIR WAS GETTING…

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WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THEY TRAVEL LOWER AND FEEL SOFTER THAN NORMAL AND ARE NOT RESPONSIVE. BRAKES WILL LOSE TRACTION, CAUSING THE CAR TO ROLL WHEN STOPPED. AT A NATIONAL BRAKE REPAIR SERVICE PROVIDER, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD FLUSH THE BRAKE SYSTEM (WHICH TEMPORARILY IMPROVED THE ISSUE FOR ABOUT A WEEK), BUT AIR WAS GETTING INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM DUE TO A FAULTY VSA MODULATOR. ACURA DOES NOT ALLOW SELL THESE PARTS OUTSIDE OF THEIR OWN SERVICE PROVIDERS AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT THIS COULD PREVENT ANY FUTURE ACCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253760

58,000 miles · Dec 2, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior LightingLatches/locks/linkages

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TSX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO LOCK THE POWER DOORS BEFORE EXITING; HOWEVER, THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM WOULD NOT WORK. SHE COULD NOT LOCK THE DOORS FROM …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ACURA TSX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO LOCK THE POWER DOORS BEFORE EXITING; HOWEVER, THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM WOULD NOT WORK. SHE COULD NOT LOCK THE DOORS FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO MANUALLY LOCK THEM FROM THE OUTSIDE. IN ADDITION, THE TRUNK LOCKING MECHANISM WAS INOPERATIVE AND COULD ONLY BE ACTIVATED WITH THE TRUNK RELEASE. THE PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO OPERATE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CHIME WAS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TRUNK WIRING HARNESS. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V429000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS ). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE RECALL REMEDY HAS NOT CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER REPAIR. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10250510

Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I OWN A 2004 ACURA TSX. MY AC BLEW OUT ON ME WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. I ONLY HAD AROUND 60,000 MILES AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHANGE THE WHOLE AC UNIT. COMPRESSOR, HOSES, CONDENSER, AND FLUSH THE SYSTEM OUT. THEY KNOW ABOUT THE AC FAILURE AS MANY ACURA TSX WERE REPORTED WITH THIS PROBLEM AND NOT OFFERING ANY …

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I OWN A 2004 ACURA TSX. MY AC BLEW OUT ON ME WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. I ONLY HAD AROUND 60,000 MILES AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHANGE THE WHOLE AC UNIT. COMPRESSOR, HOSES, CONDENSER, AND FLUSH THE SYSTEM OUT. THEY KNOW ABOUT THE AC FAILURE AS MANY ACURA TSX WERE REPORTED WITH THIS PROBLEM AND NOT OFFERING ANY RECALL ON IT. IT'S AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO FIX. THEY QUOTED ME $3,000.00 FOR THE FULL REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249925

90,575 miles · Nov 24, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR FAILED AND CAME APART CONTAMINATING THE ENTIRE A/C SYSTEM. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE ENTIRE A/C SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249742

Official recalls

3

13V093000 · Electrical System; Engine And Engine Cooling

Mar 15, 2013

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 Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In states that use corrosive materials for deicing, driver's footwear may bring in materials that saturate the vehicle's carpeting, which is in contact with the vehicle's engine Electronic Control Unit (ECU). As a result, the ECU case may experience rust or corrosion. This damage may potentially cause the engine to stall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and Acura dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any damaged ECU, free of charge. All vehicles will have a waterproof cover installed onto the ECU, free of charge. The recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1-800-382-2238 and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.acura.com.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

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 Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In states that use corrosive materials for deicing, driver's footwear may bring in materials that saturate the vehicle's carpeting, which is in contact with the vehicle's engine Electronic Control Unit (ECU). As a result, the ECU case may experience rust or corrosion. This damage may potentially cause the engine to stall.

Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and Acura dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any damaged ECU, free of charge. All vehicles will have a waterproof cover installed onto the ECU, free of charge. The recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1-800-382-2238 and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.acura.com.

Engine And Engine Cooling

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 Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In states that use corrosive materials for deicing, driver's footwear may bring in materials that saturate the vehicle's carpeting, which is in contact with the vehicle's engine Electronic Control Unit (ECU). As a result, the ECU case may experience rust or corrosion. This damage may potentially cause the engine to stall.

Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners and Acura dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any damaged ECU, free of charge. All vehicles will have a waterproof cover installed onto the ECU, free of charge. The recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1-800-382-2238 and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.acura.com.

10V174000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Apr 29, 2010

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 CAUSE THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING OIL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OIL LEAKING ONTO A HOT EXHAUST PIPE WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND A BURNING SMELL, AND COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MAY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA CLIENT SERVICES AT 1-800-382-2238.

04V429000 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Sep 3, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS, THE WIRE HARNESS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK HINGE AREA IS NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECTED AND OVER TIME COULD BE DAMAGED WHEN THE TRUNK IS OPENED AND CLOSED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A DAMAGED HARNESS CAN CAUSE A BLOWN FUSE, A SHORT CIRCUIT AND IT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, BACK-UP LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHT FUNCTION. LOSS OF A TAIL LIGHT COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HARNESS AND IF ANY DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO DAMAGE IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL INSTALL CORRUGATED PLASTIC TUBING OVER THE HARNESS TO PREVENT FUTURE DAMAGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.