10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,983 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Acura TSX:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #51

Aug 022018

TSX

  • 70,000 miles
Stationary vehicle. With no warning, all my power steering sensors started blinking and chiming when turning on my vehicle. The electric steering is completely gone. Upon researching this issue, it turns out this is a massive problem for Acura and Honda and yet no recall has been made"?? instead Honda/Acura are charging, and I quote directly from the Acura technician 'over $1000, under $3000' to fix the issue. Why is there not a recall" this can technically happen while driving, when the car is at speed. Someone would be killed, easily, especially if driving on roads that have turns and/or curves.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

problem #50

Aug 052018

TSX

  • 98,000 miles
I drove my car to the store with no problem but when I left the store and started my car and it had a power steering failure warning. I had to drive home without power steering making it difficult to turn. Upon searching this issue there are numerous other complaints for the exact same thing.

- Camden, SC, USA

problem #49

Jul 242018

TSX

  • 53,300 miles
I was driving my Tsx and rounded a corner as the eps light came on and the power steering was no longer working. I was unable to turn the steering wheel at all at this point. Luckily, I was close to my house and was able to pull off the side of the road near my driveway. My boyfriend later went out and started the car and the warning sign had disappeared and the car seemed to function at that time. Three days later my boyfriend was driving the car when the light came back on, the power steering went out and he nearly lost control as we were in the middle of a turn on the road. We felt very fortunate that no other cars were near at the time. This is extremely dangerous and I am utterly shocked that Acura has not recalled this part. My car is a 2012 with only 53K miles on it. I buy Acura vehicles because they are supposed to be reliable and safe. This is just very shocking that Acura does not seem this to be a safety hazard and correct the issue for their customers before someone is seriously injured or killed.

- Chillicothe, OH, USA

problem #48

Jul 252018

TSX

  • 57,995 miles
Turning left into my neighborhood, there was dash warning message for complete power steering failure. It took a massive effort, on my part, to turn the wheel and complete the turn in front of traffic. As I was in my neighborhood, I was nursing the vehicle back to my residence. About two minutes later, after the event, the warning light went off, and the power steering started to work again.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #47

Jul 212018

TSX

  • 72,553 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Acura Tsx. While starting the vehicle, the steering wheel failed to turn left or right and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the eps module and power steering rack assembly needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 72,553.

- Vlayton, NC, USA

problem #46

Jul 212018

TSX

  • 100,000 miles
I have a 2012 Acura Tsx that has had no prior issues before this one. While driving on the highway my steering wheel locked up and the message check power steering came across the dash. The electronic power steering module failed causing my steering wheel to lock up. This was very dangerous as I no longer had control of the car and was unable to turn the wheel. I have seen at least 100 complaints of this issue happening to other owners while on the highway, in busy intersections, and while driving. I live in the upstate of South Carolina and there is major road construction going on. This mean no emergencies lanes, only two lane and concrete dividers so there is no way to pull off the road. Therefore this is a fatal accident waiting to happen. This definitely needs to be checked out for a recall so that no one loses there life because Acura would rather keep charging people $1,500 to fix it instead of reporting a recall for a faulty part.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

problem #45

Jul 202018

TSX

  • 85,000 miles
Steering wheel locked up. Could not drive as a result of being unable to move the wheel. The powering steering warning indicator came on.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #44

Jul 202018

TSX

  • 81,800 miles
Steering wheel completely locked up while, luckily, stationary in a parking lot. This happened at midnight after attending an event. As a single woman, it was dangerous for me to wait for roadside assistance in an unlit parking lot for an hour.

- Burke, VA, USA

problem #43

Jul 122018

TSX

  • 77,000 miles
I was driving on a side street, roughly 25mph when my power steering light came on and the vehicle's steering locked up. I pulled over and quickly read the manual, which said to restart the car and if the light goes off, the car is ok. After doing so, the car was steering as expected and I was able to return home safely. The car was fine for 2 days. The third morning, I am leaving for work and driving on a side street and the same thing happened - the light came on and the vehicle's steering seized, except this time restarting did not help. I tried several times before succumbing to the fact that it was not going to help. I had to leave my car in the street and uber to work, work with aaa and the local Acura dealership to get my car in for repair. It was the esp that had failed. With parts and labor the bill was $1,600. The car has 77K miles on it. This part should last at least to 100K, if not the life time of the vehicle. Luckily for me I was not on the highway, operating a vehicle with no steering is very scary and very dangerous. This is a serious issue that needs to be recalled by Acura before someone is killed. I bought an Acura because I trust them, their cars and their brand and I am incredibly disappointed in their lack of care and safety of their customers.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #42

Jul 092018

TSX

  • miles
While driving steering wheel locked and then again when I turned it on to go to work which I was unable to move the car. The steering wheel would not move right nor left

- Bridgeport, CT, USA

problem #41

Jul 062018

TSX

  • 178,000 miles
Drove my car around town to several stores. Steering was fine. Stopped at a friends house briefly, restarted my car, unable to turn steering wheel with eps light beeping and blinking on the dash. Luckily, not in motion when the steering mechanism failed. Had local mechanic diagnose, eps module failure. Closet Acura dealer approximately 1.5 hours away and preliminary estimate of $1400. In review of these complaints, 45 out of 64 related to steering. >70% steering complaints. A recall should be made.

- Moultonborough, NH, USA

problem #40

Jun 252018

TSX

  • 82,700 miles
My wife was driving the 2012 Acura Tsx through a busy intersection when the "check power steering system" light went off on the dashboard. The vehicle became very difficult to steer, however, she was able to pull it off to the side of the road and get it towed to the dealership. The techs at the dealership could not replicate the issue and we took possession of the car again. The warning and difficulty steering occurred two days later. The car was towed to the dealership power steering control unit was replaced at a cost of $1,385. We were fortunate that my wife was able to pull over safely, but could have been a serious issue if it had occurred at a high speed or turning in a busy intersection. This should be recalled as it is a fairly common complaint on carcomplaints.com.

- Ventura, CA, USA

problem #39

Jun 262018

TSX

  • 108,865 miles
Turned car on to leave work for the day and received a message on my dash saying power steering error. Took the car to the dealer and the eps module failed.

- Odenton, MD, USA

problem #38

Jun 062018

TSX

  • 80,000 miles
Acura Tsx power steering failure while driving out of driveway, warning light appeared and power steering failed. I contacted Acura and advised of all the similar problems other have had with this vehicle and the extreme safety issue. Due to it being just a matter of time until someone is killed, I demanded they pay to repair the steering. They have not responded back to my request. I continue to follow up with my claim. I hope this complaint results in a recall not for just me but to save the life of parents and children driving around with this vehicle that could kill them on the highway or any roadand and they have no notice and don't even know. I am grateful my family is still alive.

- Andover, CT, USA

problem #37

Jun 042018

TSX

  • 89,890 miles
On my way to an appointment the 'check power steering system' warning light came on'I made it home but had a hard time turning the sterring wheel'I checked it later on that day & the light was not on. Therefore, I was able to drive my vehicle again for a few days with no problem. 6/8/18, on my way home again, the light came on & will not go off. Both times I was only driving about 45 mph. The local Acura dealer advised me today (6/11) the eps unit needs to be replaced & estimate to replace it $1639. I did my research & what do I see, too many complaints about the same issue. Both times I was in the city & going no more than 40 mph.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #36

May 312018

TSX

  • 100,000 miles
2012 Acura Tsx 100K miles extremely well maintained. Shortly after leaving work yesterday I was driving on a very busy street(45 mph zone) in rush hour and lost complete steering control. The car was extremely difficult to steer. Lost all power steering assist. I proceeded to pull in to a parking lot, turned the vehicle off and then on again and steering assist was back. Continued on my drive home and it happened again while in motion 45 mph. Pulled off the road, cycled the ignition again and power assist was back. Thankfully I was not mid turn when this happened or an accident very well could have occurred. The vehicle gave no warning whatsoever before this happened. Very dangerous. My husband is a ase certified technician and has not been able to duplicate the problem again since it has happened, so he is currently not able to pin point if its the eps module, steering gear, or torque sensor. We don't want to throw a $1200 part at it based on a guess. This is way too many complaints on such a serious issue for Honda not to have issued a recall. Toyota would have been on this like white on rice. We bought a Honda for a reason, reliability. Currently its a nerve racking car to drive with the potential of causing serious injury or death along with all the other Honda/Acura using this same eps system. Please submit this to Honda.

- Olathe, KS, USA

problem #35

May 162018

TSX

  • 69,995 miles
My car was driving nice, I stopped at the gas station and after I finish I turned it on and power steering light goes on, I didnt know whats the problem so I tried to move my car and I found that the steering was hard to turn left or right it feels worth than a car with no power steering thanks god the high way was not busy because its hard to control it I drove it slowly to gunn Acura it was a mile from where I am, and they said it power steering module (motor) and it cost me $2000. My car has 70 000 mile, I check around the net and I found most to all people have this problem happens on 68 000 mile to 71 000 mile.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #34

May 252018

TSX

  • 50,000 miles
I had just pulled into a parking space and my check power steering system light came on. I was no longer able to turn the wheel, and therefore, drive the car. I had to have my car towed and was told I needed a new eps system to the tune of $1,550! this has been a very common problem with this vehicle and I feel it should have been recalled! fortunately, for me, I was not driving while it happened. So many others have had this happen while driving, which is extremely dangerous! why has Acura not recalled and fixed this problem"?"!!

- Troy, VA, USA

problem #33

May 072018

TSX

  • 90,000 miles
The electric power steering module (eps) failed at 90,0000 miles. Research online at other websites revealed this is not an isolated incident. The local Acura dealers quoted 1400 for the repair. My wife started the car one day and the power steering was no longer functioning. The lack of power steering made the car very difficult for her to drive around town.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

problem #32

May 182018

TSX

  • 55,000 miles
Takata recall: I was driving on I-5 North freeway at the speed of 65 miles/hr. Suddenly, about 1 mile from alton exit, the "checking power steering system" light was on, and I could barely turn the wheel. It was super dangerous. I exited freeway trying to park in the nearest parking lot. But I could not park properly into the parking space because the wheel was too heavy to turn. This was on the way to my job interview. This incident caused big trouble on my job interview. I had to reschedule it with the company. My car only has 55,000 milage and I always keep very good maintenance on the car. Such big issue is not supposed to happen on the viecle with such low milage. Acura dealer charged me $1800 to replace the computer part that controls the power steering system. It is lot of money, not mention the terrible safety hazard it caused. Even new part has been installed, I am still worry similar issue will happen in future. I saw lots of complaints about the same issue on the same model. Acura should definitely recall this.

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »