ENGINE MAKING PINGING SOUND AROUND 1800-2500 RPM GIVE OR TAKE WHILE UNDER ANY KIND OF ACCELERATION. VEHICLE IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER ITS WARM OR COLD. CAN BE IN ANY GEAR. PROBLEM OCCURS MOST OF THE TIME. VEHICLE IS 5 MONTHS OLD. *TR
2009 Acura Tsx
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2009 Acura Tsx do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 50.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tsx years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
60 reports with mileage · 31 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 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
91 reportsIN SEPTEMBER 2008, I PURCHASED A NEW 2009 ACURA TSX FROM AN AUTHORIZED ACURA DEALER IN PENNSYLVANIA. AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF DRIVING, I STARTED TO NOTICE A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE NOISE OCCURS CONSISTENTLY WHILE ACCELERATING (PARTICULARLY WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 2000-3000 RPMS WHILE GOING UPHILL). PER THE DE…
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IN SEPTEMBER 2008, I PURCHASED A NEW 2009 ACURA TSX FROM AN AUTHORIZED ACURA DEALER IN PENNSYLVANIA. AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF DRIVING, I STARTED TO NOTICE A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE NOISE OCCURS CONSISTENTLY WHILE ACCELERATING (PARTICULARLY WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 2000-3000 RPMS WHILE GOING UPHILL). PER THE DEALERS INSTRUCTIONS, I HAVE USED ONLY PREMIUM FUEL IN THE VEHICLE SINCE THE PURCHASE DATE. I HEARD THIS KNOCKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THROUGHOUT THE WINTER; HOWEVER, THE NOISE HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AS THE WEATHER HAS BECOME WARMER (THE NOISE IS MUCH LOUDER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 60 DEGREES). I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER (WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR) TODAY (4/24/09). ONE OF THE TECHNICIANS RODE ALONG WITH ME, AND I WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE NOISE FOR HIM. THE TECHNICIAN ACKNOWLEDGED THE NOISE AND SAID THAT I SHOULDN'T WORRY ABOUT IT, THAT IT IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. I RECEIVED A RECEIPT FROM THE DEALER STATING THIS IN WRITING. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS A NORMAL NOISE, IT'S NOT SOMETHING I'VE EVER HEARD IN ANY OTHER CAR BEFORE (INCLUDING MY LAST CAR, WHICH WAS ALSO AN ACURA) AND I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM MAY ACTUALLY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS WEBSITE, AND ON MANY OF THE ACURA DISCUSSION BOARDS. MY NEXT STEP IS TO TAKE THE CAR TO ANOTHER ACURA DEALER TO GET A SECOND OPINION, AND ALSO TO CONTACT ACURA'S CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. ANY ASSISTANCE THE NHTSA COULD PROVIDE TO THE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
NOISE COMING FROM 2009 ACURA TAX REAREND DRIVERSIDE. PIPING NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHEN STOPPING AND ACCELERATING. THERE IS A FRAME FLAW. I AM TOLD ACURA HAS A DESIGN FLAW. THEY HAVE TO FUSE TWO METAL PIECES TO GET THE NOISE TO QUIT AND THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER A SPECIAL TOOL FROM TORANCE CA. WHAT ELSE IS WRONG WITH THIS HORRIBLE H…
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NOISE COMING FROM 2009 ACURA TAX REAREND DRIVERSIDE. PIPING NOISE CAN BE HEARD WHEN STOPPING AND ACCELERATING. THERE IS A FRAME FLAW. I AM TOLD ACURA HAS A DESIGN FLAW. THEY HAVE TO FUSE TWO METAL PIECES TO GET THE NOISE TO QUIT AND THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER A SPECIAL TOOL FROM TORANCE CA. WHAT ELSE IS WRONG WITH THIS HORRIBLE HONDA PRODUCT. OH YEAH AND THE ENGINE PINGS A LOT. WHAT ARE WE TO DO? *TR
NO INCIDENTS YET. BUT--THE ENGINE OF MY BRAND NEW 2009TSX "PINGS"--PRODUCES "METALLIC NOISE" EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE. I HAVE CALLED A LOCAL DEALER IN BROOKLYN, NY AND THEY ASSURED ME THAT IT WAS A NORM... *TR
ENGINE PINGS EXCESSIVELY UNDER LOAD AT BETWEEN 2,000 - 2,500 RPM. I AM RUNNING PREMIUM FUEL (91 OCTANE) AS DICTATED BY THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. *TR
UPON ACCELERATION, ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING NOISE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO CROWN ACURA IN RICHMOND, VA, WHERE THEY HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SAY THIS IS CONSIDERED A "NORMAL" SOUND. THE SOUND IS UNNATURAL; I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS SOUND WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LARGER PROBLEM AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. I HAVE REVIEWED INT…
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UPON ACCELERATION, ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING NOISE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO CROWN ACURA IN RICHMOND, VA, WHERE THEY HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SAY THIS IS CONSIDERED A "NORMAL" SOUND. THE SOUND IS UNNATURAL; I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS SOUND WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A LARGER PROBLEM AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. I HAVE REVIEWED INTERNET DISCUSSION BOARDS AND OTHERS REPORT THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. *TR
ENGINE PINGING/KNOCKING NOISE. TRIED THE HIGHEST OCTANE GASOLINE FROM VARIOUS GAS STATIONS BETWEEN 8/2008 TO CURRENT (4/1/09). CURRENTLY VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP FOR SECOND EVALUATION. DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO DRAIN THE FUEL TANK AND FILL WITH PREMIUM GASOLINE AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR 50 TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A FUEL PROBLEM. *…
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ENGINE PINGING/KNOCKING NOISE. TRIED THE HIGHEST OCTANE GASOLINE FROM VARIOUS GAS STATIONS BETWEEN 8/2008 TO CURRENT (4/1/09). CURRENTLY VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP FOR SECOND EVALUATION. DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO DRAIN THE FUEL TANK AND FILL WITH PREMIUM GASOLINE AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR 50 TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A FUEL PROBLEM. *TR
THE ENGINE MAKES A PINGING, KNOCKING SOUND ABOUT 80% OF THE TIME WHEN ACCELERATING. I'VE COMPLAINED MANY MANY TIMES TO ACURA BUT THEY'RE REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT; I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LONG TERM RELIABILITY ISSUES ARE WITH THE VEHICLE BUT IT IS KNOWN THAT ENGINE PINGING IS DAMAGING TO THE ENGINE. *TR
2009 ACURA TSX WAS PURCHASED ON 12/13 /08 IN SAN ANTONIO, TX. DURING THE 1ST MONTH THE CAR DEVELOPED AN ENGINE/KNOCKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AND ACCELERATING. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 3TIMES. PER THE DEALER, THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO BE OCCURRING ON MANY 2009 TSX MODELS. THE NOISE IS CONSISTENTLY PRODUCED WH…
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2009 ACURA TSX WAS PURCHASED ON 12/13 /08 IN SAN ANTONIO, TX. DURING THE 1ST MONTH THE CAR DEVELOPED AN ENGINE/KNOCKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AND ACCELERATING. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF 3TIMES. PER THE DEALER, THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO BE OCCURRING ON MANY 2009 TSX MODELS. THE NOISE IS CONSISTENTLY PRODUCED WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATING, FURTHER PRONOUNCED WHILE RPMS ARE BETWEEN 2000 AND 2700, AND HAS BECOME MORE PREVALENT/LOUDER AS TIME GOES BY. AS INSTRUCTED, THE VEHICLE IS ONLY RUN ON PREMIUM FUEL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE NOISE, BUT IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A FIX. I ALSO CALLED ACURA CLIENT SERVICES AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO KNOWN ISSUE FOR THE 2009 TSX, WHICH I FIND HARD TO BELIEVE BEING SO MANY OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, MANY TSXS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE BASED ON NO RESOLUTION FROM CORPORATE. GIVEN HONDA?S STRONG ROOT IN RELIABILITY, VALUE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE, I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS METALLIC KNOCKING/PINGING FROM AN ENGINE WOULD BE CONSIDERED ?NORMAL?. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS KNOCKING/PINGING NOISE IS A DESIGN FLAW/DEFECT THAT WILL DEVELOP INTO LONG-TERM SAFETY AND RELIABILITY ISSUE GIVEN THE DETRIMENTAL IMPACT TO THE ENGINE/POWERTRAIN. FINALLY, DUE TO THE FACT THAT I AM JUST BEING IGNORED BY THE DEALER AND CORPORATE, YOUR HELP/INTERVENTION OF THIS PROBLEM AND ANY RECOMMENDED SOLUTION WITH HONDA ACURA WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
THIS IS A 2009 ACURA TSX. WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A RATTLE-TYPE SOUND THAT COMES FROM THE ENGINE. TOOK THE CAR TO TWO ACURA DEALERS AND BOTH ACKNOWLEDGED THE SOUND, BUT DECLARED IT A "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE CAR. HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OTHER '09 TSX OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME NOISE (THERE ARE SEVERAL BLOGS ALL OVER…
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THIS IS A 2009 ACURA TSX. WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A RATTLE-TYPE SOUND THAT COMES FROM THE ENGINE. TOOK THE CAR TO TWO ACURA DEALERS AND BOTH ACKNOWLEDGED THE SOUND, BUT DECLARED IT A "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE CAR. HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OTHER '09 TSX OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME NOISE (THERE ARE SEVERAL BLOGS ALL OVER THE INTERNET) AND WE ARE CONCERNED THAT IT MIGHT CAUSE SOME SORT OF SERIOUS DAMAGE WHILE WE ARE DRIVING THE CAR. *TR
Official recalls
619V502000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 27, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
19V378000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
May 16, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
18V042000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 9, 2018
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, 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 or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.
17V545000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Aug 31, 2017
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.
17V030000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 10, 2017
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, 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, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, 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 inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
16V346000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
May 24, 2016
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless already included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic GX, and 2007-2008 CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, 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, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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