2005 Acura TSX: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 51 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (36% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks 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 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was almost involved in a collision while trying to make a left turn because the power steering failed out of no where locks up to the point it's impossible to turn the wheel. I read up online that the acura tsx have rack and pinion issues. Acura should release a recall especially with the high volume this problem occurs and how dangerous it is. I'm terrified to even drive it. Because this isn't the first time this has happened. Somebody can get seriously hurt or killed if something isn't done about this issue poor quality from acura.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2019
“I was driving north bound hwy 6 towards college station texas from houston, and the vehicle started to not engage while shifting and then the vehicle gave no power to the wheels ,but all soleniods seem to be in working order. After having the vehicle towed from hempstead where it was disabled ,and after doing some research there seems to be an issue with the same generation of honda's with the same automatic transmission, but there is not a recall for their acura counterparts. The recall id# 11v395000.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2019
“Car begins braking while accelerating and starts sliding when braking on dry pavement. The other model from this year such as the mdx have a recall for the vsa system however the tsx does not. The mdx recall from 05 matched the same issues the 05 tsx has.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Sometime the airbag light goes off and stay off after the start which is normal but sometime it stays on never go off after you start it.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2019
“While driving at low speed, both driver and passenger side airbags deployed. There was no impact between my vehicle and any other vehicle or object. The root cause for the deployment is unknown at this time (insurance inspector has not provided an update at this time).”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2018
“My VIN is not included in acura r35 recall campaign of 167,000 2094-2008 4-cyl tsx re: power steering, but the vehicle (2005 4-cyl tsx) is experiencing the issue, as verified by the acura dealership this week. From service reccomendation - red: requires immediate attention - 'leaking system was low and noisy. Just starting to leak at rack ends very minor, pump is bad'”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2018
“The seat belt light on the dash remains lit when the vehicle is started. I contacted the local dealer. I was advised to bring it in to be evaluated and I would be charged a service charge to fix it unless it was covered by the warranty. I was under the impression the seat belt had a lifetime warranty. I have read this is a common problem but have not been notified of a recall regarding this issue.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 acura tsx. The contact stated that at start-up, the power steering failed to operate as designed, without warning. The contact added power steering fluid to the power steering reservoir however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not taken to be inspected or diagnosed. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 10v174000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. Autonation acura gulf freeway (1125 gulf fwy s, league city, tx 77573) was contacted and informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.*dt*jb”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2017
“At 230,000 miles the passenger airbag light started flashing when the seat was unoccupied. At 236,000 the light is now on constantly. I have seen others complain about this same problem and have to agree that I do not understand why this years model is not covered in the takata recall. This is clearly a safety issue.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2016
“Around 11:15pm on 9/16/16 making a left turn at approximately 15mph all the center console lights/controls went out, vehicle lost acceleration as if it were in neutral, shifted to manual and pressed the accelerator as well, still no acceleration, only motor revving, turned headlights off then it accelerated, all dash warning lights illuminated, all gauges failed, vehicle stalled, tried to crank and would not turn over, put a charge to the battery, vehicle started but all issues remained. Unsafe to drive.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, A COIL WIRE INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO LOSE POWER. IF THE FUEL PUMP BECOMES INOPERATIVE, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
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 2005 Acura TSX reliable?
NHTSA has 51 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Acura TSX. The most complained-about area is air bags (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Acura TSX problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 106,930 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Acura TSX have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal. 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.