2004 Acura TSX: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 142 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (17% of complaints); the 2005 and 2006 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 142 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly shutoff and powered on again. After do some diagnostics we determined is was the ECU/ECM. The ECM has corrosion on the top which caused salty water to eat through the lid. Doing some research this vehicle make and model has recall but doesn't show up under my vin. I've contacted the manufacturer which was willing to help but the dealership seems to not want to help since no recall was under the vin so the manufacturer "HONDA" has closed the case but hasn't given me any answer to why. I'm in contact again with the manufacturer waiting for a call back hopefully today 4-21-26”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2026
“They power steering is leaking badly onto exhaust pipe and not holding any fluid in the Reservoir I do not know when problem began the car had one owner prior to me , I would like to just get the recall situated and fixed if possible”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2023
“215 t5r 17 Goodyear I found a large bulge in the side wall drivers front tire. Need to find out who sold the tire and its distributor / shipper. Purchased these new but I am unable to locate the receipt.”Owner report · Tires · Mar 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“2004 acura tsx: I sat in my car idle for about 15 minutes to eat. When I put my car in reverse to back out of a parking spot, the passenger side curtain and seat airbags suddenly deployed. Within 5 seconds the driver side deployed. These created the loudest noise I have ever heard in my entire life. I quickly put the car back in park and jumped out as the car was filled with a dusty cloud. This car has been serviced at an acura dealership every 5,000 - 6,000 miles since I have owned it.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2020
“When I driving the car, either street or highway , the car slows down or lose horsepower. I could be doing 60 on the highway and the car stalls on it's own almost shutting down.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2020
“On 11/14/2019 took my car into bradshaw acura dealer ship for the ecm/ pcm corrosin recall #13-014 and they refuse to due the recall even tho my ecu has corrosin on it and explained to the service advisor cory that I was driving the car and it stalled out. Took the car to my mechanic and everting is in good and working condition but when he looked at the ecu and saw all the corrosion. On it he said this has to be the problem and I told the service advisor this and they refuse to do the recall and replace the pcm”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2019
“Car leaking power steering fluid and smoking underneath engine, keep having problems with the braking system and I saw recalls on 2004 -2008 models and air bag icon always on”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 acura tsx. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel seized and an abnormal noise was heard. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The air bag warning indicator illuminated sporadically while driving, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed of NHTSA campaign number: 10v174000 (steering), which was still an open recall on the contact's vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2018
“Driving up to orlando at probably 80 mpg and passenger curtain and passenger seat air bag deployed by itself ......it really scared me but ther was no damage to exterior but the inside roof and leather seat where damaged.....”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2017
“Was driving and service engine light came on and engine shut off, had to coast to side of 4 lane road, and won't restart, had towed to big al's @ 1408 n george washington hwy. Chesapeake, va. 23323. Phone # (757)485-9117. Mechanic vinney did several test, and reported it was the ecm unit or housing was bad and made a copy of the recall on 2004-2008 acura tsx, since it was what the codes indicated. Acura manufacturing said this car is not on recall, the car did just cut off, just as on NHTSA campaign # 13v093000. Would like to see if it is related to recall.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Aug 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS, THE WIRE HARNESS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK HINGE AREA IS NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECTED AND OVER TIME COULD BE DAMAGED WHEN THE TRUNK IS OPENED AND CLOSED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HARNESS AND IF ANY DAMAGE IS FOUND, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO DAMAGE IS FOUND, DEALERS WILL INSTALL CORRUGATED PLASTIC TUBING OVER THE HARNESS TO PREVENT FUTURE DAMAGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."
Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.
Honda is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Acura TSX vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. 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). As a result, the ECU case may experience rust or corrosion. This damage may potentially cause the engine to stall.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners and Acura dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any damaged ECU, free of charge. All vehicles will have a waterproof cover installed onto the ECU, free of charge. The recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1-800-382-2238 and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.acura.com.
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2008 ACURA TSX PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 25, 2002 AND FEBRUARY 13, 2008. PROLONGED HIGH UNDER HOOD TEMPERATURES MAY CAUSE THE POWER STEERING HOSE TO DETERIORATE PREMATURELY AND MAY CAUSE THE HOSE TO CRACK AND LEAK POWER STEERING OIL.
Remedy: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MAY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ACURA CLIENT SERVICES AT 1-800-382-2238.
How other years compare
Check your exact TSX by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Acura TSX reliable?
NHTSA has 142 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Acura TSX. The most complained-about area is air bags (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Acura TSX problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Acura TSX have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:tail lights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.