The Lemon Index
201220142nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,508 in the U.S. in 2013 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 3 complaints in its first 3 years.
3 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Lincoln MKZ 832013 Infiniti G37 212013 Cadillac CTS 84
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V502000 (airbags), 19V378000 (airbags) and 18V661000 (airbags) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Acura sent dealers 36 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Replace the steering wheel when a clicking noise is heard during turning of the steering”?
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 3 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 →
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 2013 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 36 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Replace the steering wheel when a clicking noise is heard during turning of the steering
- Engineering request for investigation - American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2010 &…
- American Honda (AHM) is investigating certain 2010 & 2013 MDXs & TSXs with a complaint
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- 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 4 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.
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 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. 2013 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 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/acura-tsx/?y=2013" 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/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Acura TSX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Acura TSX reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,508 were sold in the U.S. in 2013 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2013 Acura TSX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (67%), speed control (33%) and lights (33%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Acura TSX have?
4 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 2013 Acura TSX get?
22 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2013 Acura TSX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 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 2013 Acura TSX have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Acura TSX year is better than the 2013?
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