The Lemon Index

All carsAcuraTSX2008

2006 Acura TSX, 1st generation, illustration2006
2008 Acura TSX, 1st generation, illustration
2009 Acura TSX, 2nd generation, illustration2009

2008 Acura TSX problems.

1st generation

Not enough data. Only 12 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.

Better years to buy

Other generations201217201059

All 9 yearsCompare

12 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–23 mpg combined, EPA

Similar cars, same year

2008 Lincoln MKZ2008 Cadillac CTS 722008 Lexus IS 59

Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.

When problems show up

Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.

Questions to ask the seller

  1. Were recalls 19E068000 (speed control), 13V093000 (engine) and 10V174000 (steering) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
  2. Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
  3. Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
  4. Acura sent dealers 27 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “On some model vehicles, the retainers that is bonded to body may be damaged or comes off when…”?

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 12 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:

2crashesaverage car: 1
1injuriesaverage car: 0
0firesaverage car: 0
0towsaverage car: 0

“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.

brakes33%
tires25%
body structure25%
steering17%
electrical8%

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.

half by 27K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 37K miles (2K to 60K km) on the car (10 of all 12 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

Purchased 4 hankook optimo h418b/wv tires two out of the 4 have developed bubbles on the sidewalls with no apparent damage to the outside of the tire.

2008 Acura TSX owner · NHTSA complaint 10389968

Fixes owners look up most.

From 200 YouTube videos · 7.2M views · 2004–2008 Acura TSX

Most-watched topics

  1. Oil changes & service459K views
    How to Reset the Oil Life on a Acura TSX 2004-2008How to Reset the Oil Life on a Acura TSX 2004-2008ThePeoplesGarage · 264K views · 7 videos
  2. Infotainment, battery & electrical295K views
    2004 Acura TSX Radio Not Working Fix!!2004 Acura TSX Radio Not Working Fix!!K Mon · 61K views · 12 videos
  3. Timing chain & engine187K views
    DISCUSSION: Replace Timing Chain Tensioner on 2005 Acura TSXDISCUSSION: Replace Timing Chain Tensioner on 2005 Acura TSXChavez DIY · 55K views · 7 videos
  4. Transmission & shifter175K views
    2005 Acura TSX 535,000 Miles Transmission Removal, Replace Torque Converter, Rear Main & Axle Seals2005 Acura TSX 535,000 Miles Transmission Removal, Replace Torque Converter, Rear Main & Axle SealsClymers Carport · 97K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
  1. Heat, A/C & blend door174K views
    How to replace AC Evaporator and AC Expansion Valve on 2007 Acura TSX DIY instructionsHow to replace AC Evaporator and AC Expansion Valve on 2007 Acura TSX DIY instructionsDaddicated · 86K views · 4 videos
  2. Gauges, lights & wiring173K views
    Oil light reset on 2004-2005 TSXOil light reset on 2004-2005 TSXColin Chiero · 78K views · 3 videos
  3. Steering & suspension135K views
    How to Replace Front Wheel Bearing on 2005 Acura TSXHow to Replace Front Wheel Bearing on 2005 Acura TSXChavez DIY · 73K views · 3 videos
  4. Brakes & ABS120K views
    How to: Replace Rear Brakes: Caliper, Rotor, Brake Pads - Acura TSX 2006How to: Replace Rear Brakes: Caliper, Rotor, Brake Pads - Acura TSX 20066th Gear Garage · 95K views · 3 videos

Before you buy, watch

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 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 27 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • On some model vehicles, the retainers that is bonded to body may be damaged or comes off when…
  • Rear wheels howl or growl

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Recalls 3

  • 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.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada

Every Acura TSX recall, all years · All Acura recalls

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningNot offered
Lane departure warningNot offered

Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆

NHTSA front crash test of the 2008 Acura TSX
Front crash test · NHTSA
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. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.

Show 1 older years (2007–2007, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
2007·#5

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.

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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.

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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tsx/?y=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Acura TSX reliability)</p>

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Quick answers

Is the 2008 Acura TSX reliable?

There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 12 complaints in its first 3 years.

What are the most common 2008 Acura TSX problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (33%), tires (25%) and body structure (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2008 Acura TSX have?

3 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 2008 Acura TSX get?

22 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Does the 2008 Acura TSX have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2008 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 2008 Acura TSX have?

2.4L 4-cyl.

What Acura TSX year is better than the 2008?

Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2012 drew the fewest.

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

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Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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