ACURA TSX · model year

2013 ACURA TSX

38 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013ACURATSX carries 38 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 TSX is steering with 19 filings, followed by air bags (5) and electrical system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2013 TSX, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

38
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

38 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 5/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING19
AIR BAGS5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
TIRES2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
ENGINE1
POWER TRAIN1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
SERVICE BRAKES1
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness1

Recalls (4)

18V66100027/09/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississipp

19V50200027/06/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-201

19V37800016/05/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009

18V04200009/01/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehi

Recent Complaints

20250606CrashAIR BAGS

The airbags did not deploy when I got in the front end accident

20240517STEERING

Power steering electronic module went out and can’t find any replacements. Other models as the same as mine have been recalled.

20231012TIRES

I first reported this on July 7, 2023 under NHTSA ID#11530893. My wife was driving when the Continental tire size 225/50/R17 suddenly blew out at approximately 70 MPH. Immediately pulled to shoulder of highway. This was a very tense moment at speed running on the rim to get immediately off the road. Fortunately there was no vehicles in neighboring lanes as we swerved and got out of harms way. Continental Tire dealer was contacted and shown the 2 pieces of separated tire. We were informed there is an open recall for tread separating from side wall of Continental Tires. Also informed that my DOT Tire identifier was not listed under the recall. No recourse was taken/offered by Continental dealer.

20230707TIRES

The contact owns a 2013 Acura TSX equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Pure Contact, Tire Size: 225/50/R17, DOT Number: VY40WD4A2320. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side tire exploded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The tires were replacement tires. The failure mileage was approximately 126,500.

Mileage: 126,500

20230616ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I purchased my 2013 Acura TSX new. Since the date of purchase I have had the battery replaced 4 times including yesterday. On each occasion, the battery was drained due to the Bluetooth Module being defective. The dealer has confirmed the problem. This poses a substantial safety risk

20220621Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness

After the harness is clipped in place and tightened as directed, you can pull the straps forward (including my 3yo child was able to do this) and loosen the straps of the harness without pressing on the release button. The harness pulls loose and will not stay locked in place. I also tried to simulate impact with a sudden and strong pull on the harness to see if it would lock in that situation and it does not. If we had been in an accident using this car seat, my child could have been seriously injured because the harness would have failed to lock. We purchased this in Sept 2019 and just noticed this occurring now but unclear if we just didn't realize it before or if the harness just failed now.

20210927SERVICE BRAKES

On Friday, September 24, 2021 when I went around a curve my car felt like the vehicle stability assist was trying to kick on. However, no warning light came on and I was not going to fast for the weather or road conditions. I did not hit any pot holes or anything else to cause the part to fail. When I went to apply my brakes the brakes felt soft and spongy and I was concern with the car not stopping. Safety issues for me and others were if my car didn't stop and me hitting another vehicle and injuring/killing them or myself due to the component failure. I was able to get my car to Acura Sterling McCall in Houston and they were able to duplicate the issue and I was advised the VSA needed to be replaced. That this was causing the soft brakes.

20210722AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2013 Acura TSX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag sensor warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

Mileage: 54,000

20210324STEERING

POWER STEERING LIGHT STARTED FLASHING WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR THIS MORNING, STEERING WHEEL HARD TO TURN

20210206STEERING

DRIVING STRAIGHT ROAD IN TOWN GOING MAYBE 40 MPH, ALERT CAME ON SAYING CHECK POWER STEERING. WHEEL EXTREMELY HARD TO MANUEVER, BARELY TURNED INTO CLOSEST PARKING LOT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT A SHOP WAITING TO BE FIXED, WHATEVER THAT MEANS.... $$$$$$$

Mileage: 65,000

20201203AIR BAGS

CANNOT TURN WHEEL, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT

20201203STEERING

CANNOT TURN WHEEL, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT

20201119STEERING

STEERING LOCKED UP AND POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, RESTARTED, IT WAS OK. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE STEERING. REAL SAFETY HAZARD.

Mileage: 88,000

20200930STEERING

CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM DISPLAYED AND THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. HAD TO MOVE STEERING WITH FORCE.

Mileage: 11,000

20200908VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE SUN VISOR HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE AND INHIBITS VISIBILITY. THE INTERNAL CLIP HAS WORN OUT, CANNOT BE REPLACED, AND HAS BECOME DEFECTIVE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND STATIONARY. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED WITH MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE, 2006 HONDA CIVIC, AND WAS RESOLVED THROUGH A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.

Mileage: 77,000

20200907STEERING

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT ROAD, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I GOT A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOAD. IT SAID THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEM MAY NOT BE WORKING. I TURNED OFF THE CAR. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. HOWEVER, WITHIN 1 MIN, THE WHEEL LOCKED AGAIN. THANK GOD I HADNT GOTTEN ON THE FREEWAY. THERE COULD'VE BEEN SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES AS THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE DRIVING. I SLOWLY BROUGHT IT BACK HOME AS I HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY TURN OFF AND ON THE CAR TO UNLOCK WHEEL FOR 1 MIN. TO MAKE SOME TURNS. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO THIS CAR THAT I BOUGHT LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD. I HAD JUST TAKEN IT IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO FOR AN OIL CHECK AND INSPECTION.

Mileage: 95,039

20200213ENGINE

VEHICLE IS MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECTIVE VTC ACTUATOR, IT IS MAKING RATTLE SOUND ON A COLD START. MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT THE DEFECT PART.

20200213POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE IS MANUFACTURED WITH DEFECTIVE VTC ACTUATOR, IT IS MAKING RATTLE SOUND ON A COLD START. MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT THE DEFECT PART.

20190825STEERING

ON MY WAY TO WORK LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY, MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO TURN. THEN LIGHTS STARTING FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD SAYING CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM. I WAS AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AS THIS IS DANGEROUS. I DID SAFELY MAKE IT TO WORK. AT THIS TIME I AM UNABLE TO FIND A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS ODD BECAUSE THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A CONSUMER'S FAULT. IT'S A SYSTEM FAILURE.

Mileage: 89,000

20190807STEERING

THE AUTOMATIC STEERING STOPPED WORKING WHEN I WAS TRYING TO REVERSE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. CAR WAS ONLY PARKED FOR 15 MINUTES IN THE LOT. CAR ONLY HAS 32K

Mileage: 32,000

Compare 2013ACURATSX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 ACURA TSX have?
The 2013 ACURA TSX has 38 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 ACURA TSX?
The 2013 ACURA TSX received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 5/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 ACURA TSX?
Yes, the 2013 ACURA TSX has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 ACURA TSX?
The most-complained component for the 2013 ACURA TSX is STEERING with 19 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2013 ACURA TSX safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2013 ACURA TSX has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.