VehicleVerdict

2009 Acura TSX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 113 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median TSX year — the 2009 model ranks #3 of 11 TSX years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 7 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (27), brakes (24), and engine (23), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

113

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other TSX years?

TSX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 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, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all TSX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Acura TSX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags2724%
Brakes2421%
Engine2320%
Body & Structure76%
Electrical System65%
Other54%
Steering44%
Transmission44%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Fuel System33%
Speed Control33%
Tires & Wheels22%
Seat Belts11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2009 Acura TSX have recalls?

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

19V502000AirbagsJune 27, 2019 · 9,555 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic GX NGV, 2012-2015 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2014 Fit EV, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.

19V378000AirbagsMay 16, 2019 · 19,138 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2013 TSX Sport Wagon, and 2010-2012 ZDX and 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, 2012-2014 Crosstour, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2013 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.

Consequence

An incorrectly installed air bag inflator may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the inflator installation and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.

18V042000AirbagsJanuary 9, 2018 · 691,726 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Acura TSX, ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour, Fit, Insight and Pilot vehicles, 2011-13 Acura TSX Sportswagon, 2010-2012 Honda Accord,, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles and 2013 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid and CR-V, and 2010 Acura ZDX and Honda Insight vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Unless included in Zones A or B above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Civic, Civic NGV, Civic Hybrid, CR-V, Fit, and Pilot vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to higher absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.

17V545000AirbagsAugust 31, 2017 · 3,257 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.

17V030000AirbagsJanuary 10, 2017 · 977,708 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Acura TSX, 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon, 2010-2012 Acura ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight, 2009-2012 Honda Fit, 2009-2012 Pilot, 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2012 Honda FCX Clarity and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot, 2008-2009 Honda Accord, 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV, and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, if not included in "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has mailed an interim notification, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.

16V346000AirbagsMay 24, 2016 · 2,719,386 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Acura TSX, 2011 TSX Wagon, 2010-2011 Acura ZDX, 2008-2011 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, Civic Hybrid, and Civic GX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2010-2011 FCX Clarity and Insight, and 2009-2011 Fit, and Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless already included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2008 Honda Accord, 2006-2008 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic GX, and 2007-2008 CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall is KA4, KA5, KA6, and KA7.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I RECEIVED A TAKATA RECALL AND WENT TO ROSENTHAL ACURA TO GET IT REPLACED. THAT WAS COMPLETED BY ROSENTHAL. I THINK THAT WAS AROUND A YEAR AGO. ON 04/23/2018 I REAR-ENDED ANOTHER CAR. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. MY SPEED AT IMPACT PROBABLY WAS ABOUT 30-25 MPH. THE CAR I HIT WAS STATIONARY. MY AIRBAGS DID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 23, 2018 · crash

“I HAVE A 2009 ACURA TSX. AT ABOUT 34,000 MILES I STARTED NOTICING A HIGH-PITCHED NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN, AND THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS MY REAR BRAKE PADS. NEARLY ALL OF MY DRIVING IS HIGHWAY, INDICATING THAT THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH THE INTEGRITY OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 1, 2011

“EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION CAUSING OIL LEVEL TO GO DOWN TOO SOON (<1000 MILES) AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND STALL FOR A FEW SECONDS WHEN MERGING ON TO A FREEWAY OR STARTING IN MOTION AFTER A STOP SIGN OR PRIOR SLOW DOWN. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHILE MERGING INTO A FREEWAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 25, 2017

“I WAS IN MOTION HEADING TOWARD THE LIGHT ON 22 IN ABERDEEN MD MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED HITTING ME IN THE CHEST AND I LOST CONTROL OF TH CAR; I ALSO HIT ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I DAMAGE THE FRONT OF THE CAR.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 24, 2016 · crash

“EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION CAUSING OIL LEVEL TO GO DOWN TOO SOON (<1000 MILES) AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER AND STALL FOR A FEW SECONDS WHEN MERGING ON TO A FREEWAY OR STARTING IN MOTION AFTER A STOP SIGN OR PRIOR SLOW DOWN. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHILE MERGING INTO A FREEWAY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 25, 2017

2009 Acura TSX — common questions

Is the 2009 Acura TSX reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 113 complaints put the 2009 model at #3 of 11 TSX years. It is one of the TSX years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 TSX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (27 complaints), brakes (24 complaints), engine (23 complaints).

Does the 2009 Acura TSX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 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.