Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 142 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Acura TSX, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 22 | 15% |
| Air bags | 19 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 11% |
| Power train | 11 | 8% |
| Steering | 9 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 5% |
| Air bags | 6 | 4% |
| Tires | 4 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
While driving the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly shutoff and powered on again. After do some diagnostics we determined is was the ECU/ECM. The ECM has corrosion on the top which caused salty water to eat through the lid.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2004 Acura TSX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal clicking sound that was coming from the instrument cluster. The contact stated that upon decelerating to
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
They power steering is leaking badly onto exhaust pipe and not holding any fluid in the Reservoir I do not know when problem began the car had one owner prior to me , I would like to just get the recall situated and fixe
NHTSA complaint: Steering
215 t5r 17 Goodyear I found a large bulge in the side wall drivers front tire. Need to find out who sold the tire and its distributor / shipper. Purchased these new but I am unable to locate the receipt.
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I HAVE A 2004 ACURA TSX I PURCHASED FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER BACK ON MAY OF 2018 WITH 55000 ORIGINAL MILES. THE CAR RUNS LIKE NEW IT WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF WITH THE ORIGINAL OWNER ALL SERVICES AND INSPECTIONS WERE UP TO D
NHTSA complaint: Power train
This vehicle was taken in for a recall for a corrosive ECM. 1 hour prior to taking this vehicle in my assigned service writer gave me a call, your vehicle is ready for pick up. I was advised due to their visual inspecti
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Power Steering Hose Leak. I took my vehicle in to have the oil changed and mechanics noticed a power steering leak. The mechanic looked up any recalls on my vehicle and noted this was a previous recall. Upon searching, 2
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2004 Acura TSX. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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-
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 custo
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 I
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
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 STEE
Risk: OIL LEAKING ONTO A HOT EXHAUST PIPE WILL GENERATE SMOKE AND A BURNING SMELL, AND COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: 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
Fix: 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 DAM
| Reliability raw | 72 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 39 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 142 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seats is the most reported area with 22 of them (15%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 72/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.