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Engine & cooling

2012 Acura TSX Engine problems

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2012 Acura TSX's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 5% of all its complaints, most recently on July 18, 2024. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

SteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Check engine Transmission ABS VSA TPMS All lights went on suddenly. While I was driving suddenly all lights came on dashboard. I've used OBD scanner to find the root cause but the problem can't be detected. I went to Acura dealer in NJ and paid $250. They inspected, and said it could be this Instrument cluster or that ECu. But they did not said anything concrete what could be faulty. Both are expensive to replace around $2000-$4000 each The lights comes and goes. These lights are not persistent. I've been...

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driving with it. Sometimes when the lights are on AC DOESNT WORK, steering loses control for a second. When it loses control car swerves. It's dangerous but I've been driving with caution ️ In past, electric power steering was malfunction and I had it replaced for $1500. I will never purchase Acura or Honda for lifetime It should be recalled

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11603279
Engine & cooling

For about a year or more, On cold start,(3-6+ hours of engine rest) rattle occurs for a brief period of time (usually 1-2 seconds) then ceases. TSB 09-010 is associated with various Honda models up to 2012, but does not include Acura. Car delivers no DTCs for this issue currently. Have not had the vehicle inspected by the dealer for this issue. Following the TSB, the symptom is the same. Replacement of VTC ACTUATOR will happen shortly, in which the part can be available for inspection.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11480897
Engine & cooling

When the car is started for the first time of the day--especially in cold weather: symptom: noise during start for a second or two. Info: sound comes from the (timing chain?) Cover on the left top side of the engine--looking from the bumper. Called acura dealer and mentioned items I had read about---stretched/loose tensioner (pressurized with oil?), Stretched timing chain, vtc actuator---he said yes,yes,---tensioner and timing chain would be changed, I cannot remember what he said about the vtc actuator....

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Another acura dealer indicated it is the vtc actuator is the issue. Called acura consumer relations who noted they could not help. This problem seems to be well known among acura owners on various websites. I do not think this should be happening at 82k miles. Note the warranty is for 72k. Note it has happened for almost a year; below I have noted one day it happened.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11064775
Engine & cooling

I have had several episodes of engine hesitation. I have always used premium gas. I returned for an oil change (annual service) and also asked if any engine hesitation service bulletins or advisories had been issued. None had been. These episodes have occurred about 20 times with the car. It always occurred when accelerating moderately from below 20 miles an hour. It last from 2 to 3 seconds, while the engine does nothing. The hesitation cannot be summoned upon demand. On some occasions, the hesitation has put me at risk of collision, where I could not go forward but had to brake. The risk of nonperformance is always present and is a constant source of dissatisfaction for us. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10644740
Fuel systemEngine & cooling

On 7/3/2013, I took my car in to the dealer for service because it had demonstrated several episodes of engine hesitation. I have always used premium gas. The car was checked, but the symptoms were not observed and no cause could be determined. On 9/19/2013, I returned for an oil change (annual service) and also asked if any engine hesitation service bulletins or advisor's had been issued. None had been. These episodes: ?Have occurred about 15 times while owning the car. ?Have all occurred when...

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accelerating moderately from below 20 miles an hour. ?Have occurred under all combinations of engine and air temperatures. ?Last from 2 to 3 seconds, while the engine does nothing. ?Are intermittent and cannot be summoned upon demand. On some occasions, the hesitation has put me at risk of collision, where I could not go forward but had to brake. The risk of nonperformance is always present and is a constant source of dissatisfaction for me. Based on my limited understanding, my guess is the cause involves a sensor or computer. *Tr

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · EngineNHTSA 10626545
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

When the vehicle is started it makes a noise as if my car was already started and I was trying to start it again. Happens when car has sat for a few hours. If the vehicle is accelerated fast it smells as if something is burning. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10614650

Acura TSX engine complaints by year

TSX engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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