The Lemon Index
20051st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: seats
49 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Cadillac CTS 1602004 Lexus IS2004 Cadillac DeVille 40
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,200 and 34,000 miles (3,500–55,000 km) (the middle half of the 35 complaints, of all 49 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19E068000 (speed control), 13V093000 (engine) and 10V174000 (steering) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Acura sent dealers 69 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Transmission grinds at shifts, skip shifting”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Acura's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 49 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 34K miles (4K to 55K km) on the car (35 of all 49 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Drivers seat is loose. Drivers seat shifts to left or right during cornering.
2004 Acura TSX owner · NHTSA complaint 10159820
More owner reports
Consumer rear ended a vehicle at 25 mph. Upon impact, passenger's side air bag deployed and the driver side did not.
NHTSA complaint 10101737
Air bags deploy because a piece of wood hit under the car, oil leak
NHTSA complaint 10140803
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 7.2M views · 2004–2008 Acura TSX
Most-watched topics
- Oil changes & service459K views
How to Reset the Oil Life on a Acura TSX 2004-2008ThePeoplesGarage · 264K views · 7 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical295K views
2004 Acura TSX Radio Not Working Fix!!K Mon · 61K views · 12 videos - Timing chain & engine187K views
DISCUSSION: Replace Timing Chain Tensioner on 2005 Acura TSXChavez DIY · 55K views · 7 videos - Transmission & shifter175K views
2005 Acura TSX 535,000 Miles Transmission Removal, Replace Torque Converter, Rear Main & Axle SealsClymers Carport · 97K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door174K views
How to replace AC Evaporator and AC Expansion Valve on 2007 Acura TSX DIY instructionsDaddicated · 86K views · 4 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring173K views
Oil light reset on 2004-2005 TSXColin Chiero · 78K views · 3 videos - Steering & suspension135K views
How to Replace Front Wheel Bearing on 2005 Acura TSXChavez DIY · 73K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS120K views
How to: Replace Rear Brakes: Caliper, Rotor, Brake Pads - Acura TSX 20066th Gear Garage · 95K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Is It As Reliable As You Think? ACURA TSX 2004-2008 1st GenAutoMotivate · 122K views
2005 Acura TSX 6-Spd 190,000 Miles Problems & Issues | Should I Sell My Car?Echizen32k Media · 75K views
2005 Acura TSX Manual Transmission 180,000 Miles Things to Fix - Problems & IssuesEchizen32k Media · 29K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2004 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Acura told dealers about
Acura sent dealers 69 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission grinds at shifts, skip shifting
- Out-of-specification automatic transmission case
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Speed control · recall issued 2019
The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind.
- Engine · recall issued 2013
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).
- Steering · recall issued 2010
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 ACURA TSX PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 25, 2002 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008.
Show all 4 recalls
- Lights · recall issued 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,250–$3,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Acura TSX year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 1 older years (2007–2007, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 8 Acura TSX years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tsx/?y=2004" title="Acura TSX reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/acura-tsx/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Acura TSX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Acura TSX reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 117; 100 is average, lower is better). The Acura TSX year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2012.
What are the most common 2004 Acura TSX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are seats (41%), airbags (18%) and transmission & drivetrain (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Acura TSX have?
4 safety recalls (latest: speed control). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Acura TSX get?
22 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Acura TSX problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,200 and 34,000 miles (3,500–55,000 km) (the middle half of the 35 complaints, of all 49 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2004 Acura TSX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Acura TSX cost in fuel a year?
About $3,250 to $3,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Acura TSX have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Acura TSX year is better than the 2004?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2012 drew the fewest (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works