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 91 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Acura TSX, and it carries 6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 24 | 26% |
| Service brakes | 15 | 16% |
| Engine | 8 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 4% |
| Steering | 3 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Visibility | 2 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2009 Acura TSX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, after which the vehicle entered LIMP Mode and the throttle failed to respond. The c
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The check engine light came on and the “check transmission” warning sign came on all of a sudden one day. I started feeling hard ups/downs in gears from 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 (and also in reverse order of both these sequence
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Air Bag light shows on dash but when driving the air bad light flashes off and on. It happens often
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I was driving car to work and when I was making a turn my car steering wheel stop working it was so hard to maneuver I almost crashed I took it to the shop and they asked to call the acura dealer before making repairs b
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT STOPPED CATCHING BECAUSE OF THE PLASTIC CAP COVERING THE MECHANISM CAME LOOSE. THE CAP HOLDS WITH LITTLE PLASTIC PEGS WHICH AREN'T VERY STRONG AND KEEP POPPING OUT. I FIXED IT BY REPLACING ONE WITH
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
VEHICLE HAS THROWN AN ENGINE CODE DUE TO EXCESS OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO STICKY PISTON RINGS, ADVANCEMENT IN TIMING AND VVT ADVANCEMENTS. DUE TO THIS ENGINE CODE BEING THROWN, THE CAR DEACTIVATES VSA AND ALSO THROWS AN EMI
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
I AM HAVING TO PUT 2-3 QUARTS OF OIL IN MY VEHICLE ONCE A MONTH. I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO THE ACURA DEALERSHIP LAST YEAR AND THEY STARTED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE EXACT ISSUE THAT I'M HAVING BUT M
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I BOUGHT THIS CAR A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE LAST OIL CHANGE WAS DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT FROM. AND SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT I HAVE HAD TO PUT 6 QUARTS OF OIL IN MY ENGINE. MY CAR IS ONLY AT ABOUT 87,000 MILES AND IS CURR
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2009 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.
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, 2010-201
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 1-888-234-21
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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
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 vehi
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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-
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 Hond
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 58 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | 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 91 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 24 of them (26%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 58/100 (average) 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 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 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 65/100. 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.