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 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 19 | 38% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 6% |
| Seats | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Steering | 2 | 4% |
| Air bags | 2 | 4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Structure | 1 | 2% |
| Engine | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The power steering is leaking constantly as soon as u pour it in the car drive it 2 miles all leaks out and have to refill in order for the power steering to work correctly and there is a recall for it on this vehicle.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Power steering rack & pinion always leaks on these vehicles. It is possible to lose all pressure in system and for vehicle to lose control while on the road. Acura is aware of the issue on 04-08 TSX models but refuses to
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE CAR IS ABOUT TO NEED THE STEERING RACK REPLACED FOR THE 3RD TIME SINCE AUGUST OF 2021. THE POWER STEERING FLUID GETS LOW AND NEEDS TO BE REFILLED EVERY FEW MONTHS. STEERING RACK EVENTUALLY SPRINGS LEAK EVERY SINGLE T
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Every day I. The morning, the car would not start even though the battery is new and the car is driven everyday and mechanics can not find the problem and it passes all tests when checked for problems.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Paint has pealed away, exposing the metal on the body which is starting to rust. The major areas are on top of hood, roof and top of trunk.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2006 Acura TSX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer nor an independent mechanic to
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC BECAME AWARE OF A FLUID LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
MY POWER STEERING HOSES HAVE BEEN LEAKING AND NOW THERE'S FLUID DOWN UNDER THE MOTOR AND UNDER THE CAR.. THE CAR WILL NOT HOLD POWER STEERING FLUID BUT FOR ONE DAY AND MY CAR IS NOW BECOME UNDRIVABLE. I SEE THERE WAS A R
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2006 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
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES, THE OWNER'S MANUALS CONTAIN INCORRECT CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S (NHTSA) VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE.
Risk: THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: HONDA WILL SEND A POSTCARD TO DEALERS AND OWNERS WITH THE CORRECT NHTSA VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION AND WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO INSERT THE CARD INTO THE "REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS" SECTION OF THE O
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.
| Reliability raw | 71 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 88 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 19 of them (38%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 71/100 (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 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 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.