2005 Acura TSX

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

70/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Air bags	15	29%
Steering	6	12%
Power train	3	6%
Tires	3	6%
Unknown or other	2	4%
Seat belts	2	4%
Engine and engine cooling	2	4%
Structure	2	4%
Seats	1	2%
Service brakes	1	2%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

The contact's son owns a 2005 Acura TSX. The contact discovered that there was fluid leaking from the vehicle while parked. In addition, the contact stated that there was white steam coming from behind the engine. There
NHTSA complaint: Steering

The seat belt light on the dash remains lit when the vehicle is started. I contacted the local dealer. I was advised to bring it in to be evaluated and I would be charged a service charge to fix it unless it was covered
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

Had just picked up my car from being repaired from an accident and was just driving along and I turned the seat heater on and I started seeing smoke coming from under me and was getting hot so I pulled over and found my
NHTSA complaint: Seats

It is my understanding that the seatbelt on my vehicle is 100% covered under lifetime warranty. However, my airbag light is on and remains on due to a sensor failure in the driver's side seatbelt buckle and the tensione
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

CAR BEGINS BRAKING WHILE ACCELERATING AND STARTS SLIDING WHEN BRAKING ON DRY PAVEMENT. THE OTHER MODEL FROM THIS YEAR SUCH AS THE MDX HAVE A RECALL FOR THE VSA SYSTEM HOWEVER THE TSX DOES NOT. THE MDX RECALL FROM 05 MATC
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED, WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ADDED POWER STEERING FLUID TO THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR HOWEVE
NHTSA complaint: Steering

I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING FAILED OUT OF NO WHERE LOCKS UP TO THE POINT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN THE WHEEL. I READ UP ONLINE THAT THE ACURA TSX HAVE RA
NHTSA complaint: Steering

I WAS DRIVING NORTH BOUND HWY 6 TOWARDS COLLEGE STATION TEXAS FROM HOUSTON, AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO NOT ENGAGE WHILE SHIFTING AND THEN THE VEHICLE GAVE NO POWER TO THE WHEELS ,BUT ALL SOLENIODS SEEM TO BE IN WORKING O
NHTSA complaint: Power train

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2005 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.

Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal 19E068000

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

Engine and engine cooling 13V093000

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

Steering:hydraulic power assist:hose 10V174000

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.

Fuel system 07V097000

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, A COIL WIRE INSIDE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO LOSE POWER. IF THE FUEL PUMP BECOMES INOPERATIVE, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START.

Risk: IF THE FUEL PUMP LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING, AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	73	good
Longevity est.	78	good
Maintenance	88	excellent
Depreciation	62	average
Performance	49	below average
Efficiency	39	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 20% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 47% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 77% of compact cars
Value retention: better than 58% of compact cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 73: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 78: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2005 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 88: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2005 Acura TSX?

Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 15 of them (29%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 2005 Acura TSX reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (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.

How long will a 2005 Acura TSX last?

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 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2005 Acura TSX?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. 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.