VehicleVerdict

2004 Acura TSX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 195 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median TSX year — the 2004 model ranks #1 of 11 TSX years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (33), airbags (29), and engine (24), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

195

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other TSX years?

TSX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted195 complaints2004: 195 complaints2005: 64 complaints2006: 68 complaints2007: 29 complaints2008: 42 complaints2009: 113 complaints2010: 86 complaints2011: 52 complaints2012: 157 complaints2013: 40 complaints2014: 8 complaints
TSX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all TSX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Acura TSX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3317%
Airbags2915%
Engine2412%
Seats2211%
Transmission168%
Steering147%
Lighting126%
Other84%
Brakes84%
Seat Belts74%
Suspension74%
Tires & Wheels53%
Fuel System42%
Speed Control32%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2004 Acura TSX have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19E068000Speed ControlOctober 10, 2019 · 3,744 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

13V093000Electrical SystemMarch 15, 2013 · 76,253 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

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.

10V174000SteeringApril 29, 2010 · 167,255 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

OIL LEAKING ONTO A HOT EXHAUST PIPE WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND A BURNING SMELL, AND COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

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.

04V429000LightingSeptember 3, 2004 · 40,060 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A DAMAGED HARNESS CAN CAUSE A BLOWN FUSE, A SHORT CIRCUIT AND IT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS, BACK-UP LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHT FUNCTION. LOSS OF A TAIL LIGHT COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH ABOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME. HEARD A SQUEAKY SOUND AROUND THE STEARING WHEEL MINUTES EARLIER. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT COMPONENET FAILED BUT HAD A RECALL SOMETIME AGO THAT WAS REPAIRED. HAD OIL CHANGE EXACTLY A WEEK EARLIER. NO BODY INJURED. *TR ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 3, 2011 · fire

“SLID ON GRAVELS IN THE ROAD HIT A FENCE FRONT END DAMAGE REPLACE BUMPER HEADLIGHT HOOD AND DRIVER PANEL REPLACED UNDERNEATH PROTECTIONS IN FRONT END OF CAR AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUALLY CALLED DEALER SHIP SAID WAS NOT A RECALL ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 28, 2014 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING. FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY BURNT INSIDE. CONSUMER STATED THE O-RING WAS NOT SEATED PROPERLY AND ALL THE OIL LEAKED COMPLETELY OUT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER. *AK THE OIL WAS CHANGED 2 DAYS BEFORE THE FIRE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 5, 2005 · fire

“I HAVE A 2004 ACURA TSX. IT HAS A POWER DRIVERS SEAT. WHENEVER I BRAKE A LITTLE HARDER THAN NORMAL OR WHEN I BRAKE SUDDENLY, THE DRIVERS SEAT MOVES FORWARD. I TALKED TO MY LOCAL ACURA DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL. I DO NOT CONSIDER A SEAT THAT MOVES FORWARD WHEN YOU BRAKE TO BE SAFE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · January 8, 2005

“The contact owns a 2004 Acura TSX. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a standstill, the vehicle would accelerate independently and he was unable to control the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated on…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 1, 2016 · crash

2004 Acura TSX — common questions

Is the 2004 Acura TSX reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 195 complaints put the 2004 model at #1 of 11 TSX years. It is one of the TSX years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 TSX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (33 complaints), airbags (29 complaints), engine (24 complaints).

Does the 2004 Acura TSX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Acura TSX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Acura TSX years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the TSX years to avoid are 2004, 2012, 2009. The cleanest record among TSX years belongs to 2014.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.