The Lemon Index

All carsAcuraTSX2010

2009 Acura TSX, 2nd generation, illustration2009
2010 Acura TSX, 2nd generation, illustration
2012 Acura TSX, 2nd generation, illustration2012

2010 Acura TSX problems.

2nd generation

592010 Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Better than average · most complaints: brakes

Better years to buy

This generation201217

All 9 yearsCompare

21 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–25 mpg combined, EPA

Similar cars, same year

2010 Lincoln MKZ 512010 Infiniti G37 172010 Cadillac CTS 22

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

When problems show up

Most problems on this year showed up between 7,000 and 28,000 miles (11,000–45,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 21 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

  1. Were recalls 19V502000 (airbags), 19V378000 (airbags) and 18V661000 (airbags) done? It has 7 recalls in all. 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 steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
  4. Acura sent dealers 57 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “When turning the steering wheel there is a popping or clicking noise”?

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

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

“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.

brakes24%
brakes24%
steering10%
seat belts10%
electrical10%

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 21K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 28K miles (11K to 45K km) on the car (21 of all 21 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

My 2009 Acura TSX needs brakes at 25,000 miles when on average brakes should be changed at 50,000. This is a way for the automakers to make money from the pockets of the consumer.

2010 Acura TSX owner · NHTSA complaint 10324873

Fixes owners look up most.

From 200 YouTube videos · 6.2M views · 2009–2014 Acura TSX

Most-watched topics

  1. Infotainment, battery & electrical362K views
    2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Acura TSX Radio Upgrade - Double Din Install - Radio Receiver Installation2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Acura TSX Radio Upgrade - Double Din Install - Radio Receiver InstallationAcura Audio Garage · 69K views · 12 videos
  2. Oil changes & service141K views
    Quick Acura TSX Oil Change: 2009- 2014 2nd Generation TSXQuick Acura TSX Oil Change: 2009- 2014 2nd Generation TSXBlu-TSX · 104K views · 4 videos
  3. Transmission & shifter130K views
    Acura tsx 2010 fail abs vsa brake system check transmission what to resolve your problem hereAcura tsx 2010 fail abs vsa brake system check transmission what to resolve your problem herescoobydjj · 41K views · 7 videos
  4. Heat, A/C & blend door128K views
    2009-2014 Acura TSX Cabin Air Filter Replacement -EricTheCarGuy2009-2014 Acura TSX Cabin Air Filter Replacement -EricTheCarGuyEricTheCarGuy · 64K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
  1. Spark plugs & ignition coils35K views
    Acura TSX Replace Spark Plugs 2009 - 2014Acura TSX Replace Spark Plugs 2009 - 2014Blu-TSX · 35K views
  2. Brakes & ABS27K views
    How To Change Tailight Brake Bulb | Acura TSX (2009-2014) - EASY DIYHow To Change Tailight Brake Bulb | Acura TSX (2009-2014) - EASY DIYSkyShadow Media · 27K views
  3. Timing chain & engine18K views
    how to fix 2010 2014 Acura TSX VSA system, cilinder misfire ,code p0341,code p1009how to fix 2010 2014 Acura TSX VSA system, cilinder misfire ,code p0341,code p1009willbekabbin · 9K views · 2 videos
  4. Fuel pump, filter & tank17K views
    2009 Acura TSX Fuel Injector Replacement (Vivration on D and N Issue)2009 Acura TSX Fuel Injector Replacement (Vivration on D and N Issue)Healthy Criticism Game Reviews · 17K views

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 2010 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 57 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • When turning the steering wheel there is a popping or clicking noise
  • Steering wheel makes clicking noises, that may be caused by burrs within steering angle sensor

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

Recalls 7

  • Airbags · recall issued 2019

    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 …

  • Airbags · recall issued 2019

    The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

  • Airbags · recall issued 2018

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Show all 7 recalls
  • Airbags · recall issued 2018

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Airbags · recall issued 2017

    One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.

  • Airbags · recall issued 2017

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Airbags · recall issued 2016

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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 2010 Acura TSX
Front crash test · NHTSA
Fuel cost and engines

About $3,000–$3,600 (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, 3.5L 6-cyl.

Every Acura TSX year. 2010 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 2010 bar is highlighted.

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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tsx/?y=2010" 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/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Acura TSX reliability)</p>

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Quick answers

Is the 2010 Acura TSX reliable?

Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 59; 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 2010 Acura TSX problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (24%), brakes (24%) and steering (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2010 Acura TSX have?

7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Acura TSX get?

21 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

At what mileage do 2010 Acura TSX problems show up?

Most problems on this year showed up between 7,000 and 28,000 miles (11,000–45,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 21 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2010 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 2010 Acura TSX have transmission problems?

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

How much does the 2010 Acura TSX cost in fuel a year?

About $3,000 to $3,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2010 Acura TSX have?

2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.

What Acura TSX year is better than the 2010?

Nearby, the 2012 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (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

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