2008 ACURA TSX Problems & Complaints

1. The rack and pinion steering rack is leaking power steering hydraulic fluid. The power assist is not working and the vehicle is undrivable. Putting in new fluid does not help as it just drains out from he pinion within half a day. 2. Luckily, the seals on the rack and pinion failed in the community as low speeds and power steering was lost. Drove back home. No one was hurt. Afraid to think of what would have happened if this had occurred at highway speeds. 3. Not yet confirmed by dealer as car needs towing, which costs money as closest dealer is quiet far away. But many reports of similar incidents across online communities for this vehicle, where folks had to shell out thousands to replace the entire rack and pinion system. The seals are sealed inside and cannot be serviced. 4. Component has not been removed from the car yet or inspected by anyone. Yet to be removed for replacement 5. There were no warning lights, sounds or indications of any kind. No warning of loss of hydraulic pressure or air in system. Just a weird whining noise began when negotiating a slow speed turn and within a minute, all fluid drained and all power assist was lost.

The contact owns a 2008 Acura TSX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to complete a turn, an abnormal amount of effort was needed to turn the steering wheel. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the power steering fluid was abnormally low. Upon refilling the power steering fluid reservoir, the contact observed a leak in the power steering hose. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,231.

WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED MY CAR COMPLETELY LOST ALL OF ITS POWER STEERING IN ONE SHOT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS LEADS TO VERY STIFF DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND WHEN I BROUGHT IT TOO THE MECHANIC HE SAID IT WOULD BE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX, BECAUSE OF THIS I GOOGLED AND NOTICED MANY OTHER ACURA TSX'S HAVE THIS ISSUE. I APPLIED POWER STEERING FLUID IN HOPE OF THAT HELPING OUT BUT IT JUST LEAKED OUT.

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, IT BECAME INCREASINGLY HARD TO STEER. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME THE STEERING WHEEL COULDN'T BE TURNED. HAD IT TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOTED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE, THE RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS LEAKING. DEALER SAID THAT MY VIN HADN'T BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PREVIOUS POWER STEERING HOSE RECALL. IT COST $1500 FOR THE REPAIR AND IT SEEMS A LITTLE FISHY TO ME THAT SO MANY TSX DRIVERS ARE REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE.

DAY 1-2 OF THIS ISSUE: SQUEAKY SOUND WITH STEERING, SHORT DRIVES OF A FEW MINS EACH- (WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR). PARKED CAR IN GARAGE. DAY 3: COULD NOT GET VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE AS THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY HARD, HARDER TO LEFT THAN RIGHT. NO FLUID FOUND ON GARAGE FLOOR. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE POWER STEERING RACK BUT WAS NOT TOLD EXACTLY HOW IT WAS FAILING BUT HE DID MENTION HE SEES THIS 'A LOT'. CAR WAS PURCHASED AND DRIVEN IN MARYLAND/DC/N. VA (UNSURE IF CAR WAS PROPERLY TREATED AGAINST THE SUBSTANCE TO MELT ICE). I'M GLAD THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING WITH MY CHILD BUT IF INDEED A FAULTY MECHANISM, WHY ISN'T ACURA RECALLING?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ELECTRONICS SPORADICALLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO A DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,458.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER OUTLET WAS BEING USED TO CHARGE A CELL PHONE. WHEN THE REMOVED THE CHARGER FROM THE POWER OUTLET, A SMALL FLAME WAS PRESENT, WHICH EXTINGUISHED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURN TO HER RIGHT FINGER. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE DEFECT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A 6-LANE DIVIDED ROADWAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS LIT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATES THAT THE COMPUTER OR "PCM" FAILED. THE PART WAS BACKORDERED NATIONALLY. THEY TRIED REMOVING A COMPUTER FROM ANOTHER TSX ON THE LOT, BUT IT FAILED DUE TO COMPATIBILITY ISSUES. APPARENTLY, THIS PART IS UNIQUE TO EACH VEHICLE. AFTER ANOTHER WEEK, THE CUSTOM-BUILT COMPUTER STILL HAS NOT ARRIVED AND I'M AT THE POINT WHERE THE CAR WILL HAVE SOON SPENT MORE TIME IN THE SHOP THAN IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR

TOOK A 2008 ACURA TSX WITH 27,300 MILES TO THE LOCAL GREENVILLE SC DEALER 3 TIMES TO REPORT FRONT WHEEL SHAKE WHEN BRAKING. FIRST 2 TIMES NOTHING COULD BE FOUND ON THE 3RD VISIT DEALER REPORTED NEED NEW REAR BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS TURNED. ALSO REPORTED THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED CAUSED BY DRIVING THROUGH WATER AFTER BRAKING WHICH MAKES THE ROTORS HOT. SUSPECT REAR BRAKES ARE NOT ADEQUATE AND WEAR TOO FAST WHICH FORCES THE FRONT BRAKES TO COMPENSATE. MANUFACTURER CUT CORNERS TO REDUCE COSTS ULTIMATELY THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC. *TR

THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAIL TO HOLD DURING BRAKING ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT (E.G., POTHOLES) IN WET OR DRY CONDITIONS. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS I HAVE FOUND MYSELF GRIPPING THE STEERING WHEEL IN FEAR OF REAR-ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WHILE APPLYING BRAKES IN AN EVEN FASHION IN TRAFFIC AND/OR STOP LIGHTS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO RADLEY ACURA (IN FALLS CHURCH, VA) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. MOST RECENTLY, I VOICED MY CONCERN DURING A SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE VISIT ON FRIDAY, 26 MARCH 2010. THE BRAKES DID NOT "BRAKE" AS I APPLIED PRESSURE TO PEDAL THROUGH BROKEN PAVEMENT ON AN "URBAN" ROAD. THE CAR BARELY MISSED HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED IN DRY CONDITIONS. *CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TSX. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ENGAGES THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY INSISTED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES. THE ISSUE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY ON SIX OCCASIONS, BUT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE A CRASH COULD OCCUR. HE BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,100.

2008 ACURA TSX--THERE IS NO COVERAGE IN THE LOWER CONSOLE AREA FROM THE LEADING EDGE OF PEDAL TO THE END OF THE FLOOR DASH AREA. ADJACENT TO THE PEDAL IS AN OPEN EXPOSED AREA WHERE A COVERED PLASTIC AREA HEATS UP. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS AREA IS WHERE THE EXHAUST PIPE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER TRAVELS. THIS IS PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE HEAT IS GENERATED CONSTANTLY ON MY FEET, RIGHT FOOT IN PARTICULAR. I HAVE LOOKED AT OTHER MODELS AND THIS OPENING DOES NOT EXIST IN ANY OTHER ACURA MODELS BOTH NEW AND OLD. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER AND ACURA MANUFACTURER THAT THIS IS THE DESIGN, YET I FEEL THIS HEAT GENERATION, ADJACENT TO MY FEET IS UNUSUAL AND FOR ME VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. I ALSO USE EXTRA AIR CONDITIONING TO COUNTERACT THE HEAT GENERATION. BUT THAT STILL DOES NOT KEEP THE AREA FROM GETTING HOT. AGAIN, THE BOTTOM SIDE CONSOLE IS ONLY COVERED TO THE LEADING EDGE OF FOOT PEDAL AND THE REMAINDER AREA IS EXPOSED. I HAVE COMPLAINED ON AND OFF REGARDING HEAT THINKING SOMETHING WAS UNUSUAL, SO THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. PLEASE NOTE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING I ONLY ACCIDENTALLY REALIZED THIS HOT AREA SPECIFICALLY, WHEN I HAD DROPPED AN ITEM NEAR THE PEDAL, A FEW WEEKS AGO AND HAPPENED TO TOUCH THE HOT AREA. *TR

RATTLING SOUND AT THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN/DASHBOARD AREA. I HAD MY CAR FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS NOW AND I HAD TO BRING MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES. THE FIRST SERVICE THEY'VE SAID THAT IT WAS THE SUSPENSION, SO THEY RETIGHTENED ALL THE BOLTS IN THE SUSPENSION. THE SECOND THROUGH THE FOURTH SERVICE THEY'VE TIGHTENED THE BOLTS OF THE CENTER CONSOLE AND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. DURING THE FORTH SERVICE TIME THE SERVICE TECH SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T PINPOINT WHERE THE RATTLING SOUND WAS COMING FROM. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I'VE NOTICED A TREND OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS SITUATION. *TR

Car last year began randomly displaying VSA code during inclement weather. Took vehicle for diagnostic and report showed APS sensor issues. Replaced acceleration pedal. Car then lost power steering. Replaced pump. Can began having loss of power while using cruise control and steering would stiffen. Yet, only during inclement weather while driving. The Engine light with emmisions control warning would display and the clear on its on usually over night. Code diagnostics found possible 02 sensor or catalytic converter issues. Roughly six months later car cut off and wouldn't start replaced rack and pinion during to link at main connection. Car began having starting issues still then not holding charge replace battery twice due to B/S/A reporting pass. About 3 months ago car wouldn't turn over starter was faulty replaced starter. Replaced starter however igintion strained to turn over. To start it began requiring turning car to on then off and immediately to run. Began requesting jump starts. Ran diagnosis at advance auto showed battery issues, starter good and alternator good. Replaced battery and 02 sensor. Can Three weeks wouldn't start after driving to the gas station attempted to jump vehicle but didn't work. Called roadside service; however when service arrived vehicle started with no assistance. Took car for diagnosis test and code displayed ecm issues. Car again after cutting vehicle on and attempting to start car up vehicle wouldn't turn over. Attempted to jump start vehicle and still no crank. Left car and returned 2 hours later and was able to jump start vehicle. Acura website I'd showing decals for emc and power steering recalls on 08 tsx non vin specific search however my specific vin isnt included. How do I register my vin for similar recall issues.

MY BRAKES HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 4 YEARS AGO. IF YOU BRAKE SUDDENLY THE CAR DOES NOT STOP. IF YOU HIT A POTHOLE THERE IS A DISTINCT SLIPPING FEELING IN THE BRAKES. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN AHEAD OF TIME OR GENTLY PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO ACURA AND TO MY MECHANIC WHO IS A CERTIFIED HONDA MECHANIC. THEY ALL SAID THE BRAKES WERE FINE. EACH TIME I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE I ASK THEM TO CHECK MY BRAKES. THEY EVEN REPLACED THE BRAKES, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENED. ON 1/31/19, TRAFFIC STOPPED SUDDENLY IN FRONT OF ME ON THE FREEWAY AND I HIT MY BRAKES AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP, CAUSING ME TO SLAM INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND THAT DRIVER SAID I PUSHED HER INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THANK GOD I ESCAPED WITH ONLY BRUISED RIBS AND A SPRAINED THUMB. AND THANK GOD NO ONE ELSE WAS INJURED. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. IT WAS TERRIFYING.

TAKATA INFLATOR, HAVE THE WARNING LIGHT ON AND WE DRIVE SCARED AND WE PAY SOME MONEY FOR FIXING BUT NO RESULTS.

MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING DURING VARIOUS SPEEDS WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON SEVERAL OCCASION. AFTER STALLING, I AM ABLE TO START THE CAR WITHOUT ANY ISSUES BUT WILL CONSTANTLY STALL ON THE GO. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL (NHTSA # 13V-093) ON THE VEHICLE'S ECU FOR THE EASTERN U.S. DUE TO CORROSION. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN GUAM WHICH COULD HIGHLY HAVE THE SAME RESULT AS THIS RECALL DUE TO SALT WATER CORROSION. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND POSSIBLY EXTEND THE RECALL TO OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE AND TERRITORIES WITHIN THE COASTAL AREAS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V346000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

BRAKES HAVE WORN CONSIDERABLY OVER THE LAST 10,000 MILES. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 'CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED' IN MAY, 2011. NOW, ONLY A YEAR AND 10K MILES LATER...THE CAR HAS BEGUN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY, AFFECTING DRIVER'S ABILITY TO STEER DURING HEAVY BRAKING. THE ONSET WAS INCREDIBLY FAST...FROM BARELY NOTICEABLE TO VIOLENTLY SHAKING THE CAR IN ABOUT 300 CITY MILES AT MOST. LOOKS LIKE THE PADS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS SMOOTHED, MAYBE REPLACED. BASED ON THE ESTIMATES I HAVE FOUND, THIS REPAIR WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $175 + LABOR IF THE ROTORS DO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE UNFORTUNATE PART ABOUT ALL OF THIS...I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TIME TO GET MY PADS CHANGED BEFORE THEY BEGAN TO WEAR ON MY ROTOR. THE STOCK HONDA BRAKES APPEAR TO HAVE WORN OUT IN THE REAR FIRST, THEN THE FRONT. FROM WHAT I CAN TELL, THE FRONT BRAKES HAD TO PICK UP THE SLACK FROM THE NOTORIOUSLY INADEQUATE REAR BRAKES, CAUSING THE FRONTS TO WEAR CONSIDERABLY FASTER. *TR

PURCHASED 4 HANKOOK OPTIMO H418B/WV TIRES TWO OUT OF THE 4 HAVE DEVELOPED BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALLS WITH NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. *TR

VEHICLE SUSPENSION BUSHING IN FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND FRONT SWAY BAR WEAR QUICKLY AND CREATE METAL TO METAL CONTACT. NOISE CAN BE HEARD GOING OVER BUMPS AND UN EVEN SURFACES. THE PART WAS REPLACES BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY REPAIR AND IT RE APPEARED AFTER 300 MILES OF OPERATION. THIS FAILURE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SAY ON TO ONE SIDE SLIGHTLY. *TR

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN I AM AN OWNER OF A 1999 MODEL ACURA TL ' I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN NOVEMBER OF 1998 AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR EVER SINCE ' ALMOST 194,000 MILES. ON SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2008 I TEST DROVE A BRAND NEW 2009 MODEL ACURA TSX AT SUNNYSIDE ACURA IN NASHUA NH. IT WAS AROUND NOON TIME AND THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND SUNNY. SUNNYSIDE'S ACURA SALES CONSULTANT (KRISTINE MILLER) INTRODUCED ME TO THE CAR, ITS ELECTRONICS (THIS WAS A MODEL WITH OPTIONAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM) PRIOR TO DRIVING OFF. THE TEST DRIVE ITSELF WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL I NEEDED TO MAKE A SHARP U-TURN. THE U-TURN WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO PULL BACK ONTO SUNNYSIDE'S ACURA PARKING LOT. I WAS THE FIRST CAR AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TO MAKE A U-TURN AND WHILE MAKING IT I DROVE OVER VERY LOW ROAD DIVIDER. NOBODY WAS INJURED HOWEVER THE CAR ITSELF WAS DAMAGED BY PIECE OF A METAL POST THAT WAS EMBEDDED INTO ROAD DIVIDER. I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND AT THE TIME WHY I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD DIVIDER FROM THE DRIVER SEAT. I HAVE USED THE SAME U-TURN MANY TIMES PREVIOUSLY. I DO NOT MAKE IT A HABIT OF DRIVING OVER OBJECTS ON THE ROAD ' MY DRIVING HISTORY IS A STATEMENT TO THAT. LATER AFTER COMPARING ANOTHER BRAND NEW 2009 TSX DIRECTLY TO MY 1999 TL I REALIZED THAT MY VIEW OF THE ROAD DIVIDER ADJACENT TO MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY OBSTRUCTED BY NEW, 'SAFER', HIGH BELTLINE DOORS OF 2009 MODEL ACURA TSX. IN LIGHT OF THAT 'DISCOVERY' I ASK FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: 1.WHY WERE THERE ABSOLUTELY NOT A SINGLE PIECE OF INFORMATION ABOUT THIS NEW SAFETY FEATURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES TO THE FIELD OF VIEW PROVIDED TO ME BY THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE TEST DRIVE? 2.WHY WOULD NO WARNING LABEL ABOUT SUCH A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE BE INCLUDED INSIDE THE CAR? 3.WHY WOULD NOT PROVISIONS BE IMPLEMENTED ON A DRIVER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR TO SEE A BLIND SPOT NEXT TO THE CAR ITSELF? SINCERELY *TR

BRAND NEW ACURA TL 2008 MODEL. THE REAR LEFT TIRE WENT FLAT WITHOUT CAUSE. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO MAVIS AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. I AM ON A DONUT AND THEY EXPECT ME TO GO DRIVE AROUND. RATHER THEN SHIPPING A NEW TIRE TO MY DEALER SO HE CAN PUT IT ON THEY TOLD ME TO GO HAVE IT LOOKED AT IT. THIS MEANS I HAVE TO RISK MY LIFE DRIVING TO A DEALER WHO IS GOING TO TRY TO CHARGE ME MORE MONEY. I HAVE 1,300 MILES ON MY BRAND NEW CAR. *TR

BAD BRAKES. I HAD A 2006 ACURA TL AND I TRADED IT IN FOR A 2008 ACURA TL. THE BRAKES ARE VERY POOR ON THIS 2008. I FEEL LIKE THEY DOWNGRADED THE SAFETY OF THEIR CONSUMERS TO CUT COST. I ALMOST CRASHED 3X IN 2 DAYS OF HAVING CAR BECAUSE THE CAR DOES NOT STOP AND I HAVE TO THE PRESS THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY DOWN. I FEEL LIKE THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAVE GOOD PERFORMANCE BRAKES LIKE THE 2006 ACURA TL DID. AT 41K MILES MY 06 TL HAD BETTER BRAKING THEN THIS 2008. SHAME ON ACURA FOR RISKING OUR LIVES FOR MONEY. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE ACURA INSTALLS PERFORMANCE ROTORS AND BRAKES LIKE THEY DID IN THE PAST? NONE YET!!! I AM SCARED TO DRIVE HELP! *TR