The Lemon Index
201020132nd generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).
10 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Lincoln MKZ 612012 Infiniti G37 212012 Cadillac CTS 47
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
- Were recalls 19V502000 (airbags), 19V378000 (airbags) and 18V661000 (airbags) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Acura sent dealers 30 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The oil consumption is more than the client expects; the engine oil level is low”?
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 10 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 4K to 28K miles (8K to 45K km) on the car (10 of all 10 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
When the vehicle is started it makes a noise as if my car was already started and I was trying to start it again. Happens when car has sat for a few hours. If the vehicle is accelerated fast it smells as if something is burning.
2012 Acura TSX owner · NHTSA complaint 10614650
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 6.2M views · 2009–2014 Acura TSX
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical362K views
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Acura TSX Radio Upgrade - Double Din Install - Radio Receiver InstallationAcura Audio Garage · 69K views · 12 videos - Oil changes & service141K views
Quick Acura TSX Oil Change: 2009- 2014 2nd Generation TSXBlu-TSX · 104K views · 4 videos - Transmission & shifter130K views
Acura tsx 2010 fail abs vsa brake system check transmission what to resolve your problem herescoobydjj · 41K views · 7 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door128K views
2009-2014 Acura TSX Cabin Air Filter Replacement -EricTheCarGuyEricTheCarGuy · 64K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Spark plugs & ignition coils35K views
Acura TSX Replace Spark Plugs 2009 - 2014Blu-TSX · 35K views - Brakes & ABS27K views
How To Change Tailight Brake Bulb | Acura TSX (2009-2014) - EASY DIYSkyShadow Media · 27K views - Timing chain & engine18K views
how to fix 2010 2014 Acura TSX VSA system, cilinder misfire ,code p0341,code p1009willbekabbin · 9K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank17K views
2009 Acura TSX Fuel Injector Replacement (Vivration on D and N Issue)Healthy Criticism Game Reviews · 17K views
Before you buy, watch
2009-2014 Acura TSX Reliability & Common Problems - Full Buyer's GuideDiscerning Cars · 79K views
2010 Acura TSX POV Test Drive Should You buy Acura TL or TSXPOV Nelson · 19K views
2013 Acura TSX Review, Walkaround, Exhaust, & Test DriveRedline Reviews · 274K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2012 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 30 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The oil consumption is more than the client expects; the engine oil level is low
- 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 6
- 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 6 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.
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
Government investigations
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura TSX 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| Acura TSX TSX Sport Wagon SW FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,000–$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, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Acura TSX year. 2012 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 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tsx/?y=2012" 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/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Acura TSX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Acura TSX reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a fifth as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 17; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2012 Acura TSX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (40%), engine (30%) and brakes (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Acura TSX have?
6 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 2012 Acura TSX get?
22 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2012 Acura TSX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 40% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Acura TSX cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $3,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Acura TSX have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Acura TSX year than the 2012?
Not nearby: the 2012 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Acura TSX years within 3 model years of it.
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