2012 Acura TSX Service and Repair Manual
The 2012 Acura TSX factory service and repair manual covers both engines — the 2.4L I4 and the 3.5L V6 — across all five trims in sedan and wagon form, with the OEM procedures, torque specifications, wiring diagrams and guided diagnostics written for this exact year, so the specs and sequences are correct for your engine and trim.
Engines
- 2.4L I4 — 2354cc (144 cu in), DOHC, naturally aspirated, gas
- 3.5L V6 — 3471cc (212 cu in), SOHC, naturally aspirated, gas
Trims
- Special Edition Sedan 4-Door
- A-Spec Sedan 4-Door
- Base Sedan 4-Door
- V6 Sedan 4-Door
- Base Wagon 4-Door
Known issues on the 2012 TSX. Three recalls are on federal record for this model year, and all three involve the passenger frontal air bag inflator module: an inflator explosion that may send sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, an inflator rupture that may send metal fragments striking the occupants and result in serious injury, and an incorrectly installed inflator that may not properly deploy the passenger frontal air bag. Owners have filed 157 complaints and Acura has issued 12 technical service bulletins for the year. This manual carries the factory diagnostic and repair procedures behind each of those systems.
From a routine service interval to an air bag system diagnosis or a hard-to-trace wiring fault, it keeps you on the OEM procedure and the correct specification for your specific 2012 TSX.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV vehicles in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Acura TSX, TSX Wagon and ZDX, Honda Crosstour, Insight, Fit and Pilot vehicles, 2011-2012 Honda Accord and 2011 Honda Civic NGV, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois,
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M2J and S2K.
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, 2010-2014 Insight, and 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are F5F and Q5E.
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 2009-2015 Pilot vehicles. The front passenger air bag inflator may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
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.
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. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are M4O, P4R, T4Q, and W4P.
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 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Honda is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura TSX, Honda Accord, Accord Crosstour, Fit and Pilot, 2010-2011 Honda Civic, Civic NGV, Civic H
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are B0K and L0J.
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 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 when parts are available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2008-2012 Accord, 2010-2012 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2009-2012 Fit and Pilot, 2010-2012 Insight, and 2009-2012 Acura TSX vehicles that received replacement passenger frontal air bag inflators. One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.
In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014 TLs, TSXs & TSX Wagons with a client complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understan
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014 TLs, TSXs & TSX Wagons with a client complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understan
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014 TLs, TSXs & TSX Wagons with a client complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understan
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014 TLs, TSXs & TSX Wagons with a client complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understan
Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014 TLs, TSXs & TSX Wagons with a client complaint of the brake pedal feeling soft or spongy when depressed, almost reaching the floor. To better understan
Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement f
Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect for the outer diameter of the ball joint housing being too small. The outer diameter being too small would prevent the part fro
Showing the 8 most recent of 30 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
Traction control didn’t work, and the large OEM seats did not hug my body as advertised, causing bodily injury when struck by another vehicle, “t-bone” on passenger side.
FRONT END DAMAGE BOTH SIDES DAMAGED AIR BAGS DID NOT COME ON WIFE DIED, DEALER SAY BAGS OK BUT DIDNT KNOW WHY THEY DIDNT COME ON. *TR
I TRAVELED 150 MILES TO PURCHASE A 2012 ACURA TSX AT CALIDAD MOTORS IN CONCORD CA. I WAS TOLD MY DEAL WENT THROUGH SO THAT IS WHY I DROVE THAT FAR. WHEN I GOT THERE, CHECKED OUT THE CAR AND STATED THE ISSUES TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH WERE PROMISED IN THE DEAL PAPER WORK THAT THEY WOULD GET FIXED. I HAVE CONTACTED DEALER AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CONTACT ME BACK OR ASSIST ME IN THIS REPAIR. I EXPRESSED THAT THEY SOLD ME A VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, DUE TO WHAT THE REPAIR SHOP HAD T
I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE SNOW AND SLID INTO THE GUARDRAIL WHILE TURNING. NOT MUCH BODY DAMAGE, BUT THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED. WAS STUCK IN THE ROAD FOR 2 HOURS WITH THE POLICE HAVING TO BLOCK OFF AROUND ME. HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. HE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING WITH IT BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS ELECTRICAL AND COULD NOT CLEAR THE CODE THAT WAS COMING UP AND NEEDED TO GO THE DEALERSHIP.HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE REPLACING THE STEERING.
WARNING LIGHT TO "CHECK POWER STEERING "UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS. LOSS OF TURNING POWER SUDDENLY OCCURS. NO PRIOR WARNINGS EXHIBITED. DANGEROUS SITUATION COULD LEAD TO FATAL RESULTS.
WHILE DRIVING, IN MOTION, THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING (EPS) FAILED. DASH INDICATOR LIGHT DISPLAYED "CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM". STEERING WHEEL WAS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. I HAVE DRIVEN CARS EQUIPPED WITH TRADITIONAL BELT & PUMP-DRIVEN POWER STEERING SYSTEMS THAT FAILED BEFORE WITH NOT MUCH ISSUE EXCEPT REASONABLY EXTRA EFFORT TO MANEUVER, BUT THE HIGHER LEVEL OF STRENGTH REQUIRED AFTER THE TSX'S ESP FAILED WAS SHOCKINGLY GREATER. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AT AN ACURA DEALERSHIP THA
"TAKATA RECALL" ACURA NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ME YESTERDAY. YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE EPS SYSTEM LIGHT TURNED ON. THIS IS THE POWER STEERING LIGHT. MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WHERE I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY STEERING MY WHEEL. LUCKILY I ONLY HAD 2 MAKE 2 TURNS BUT IT WAS HARD DOING SO. AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER WOULD HAVE CRASHED AND IT COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A FATALITY BEING THAT A CAR IS NOT SUPPOSED TO LOCK ON YOU WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON THE FREEW
TAKATA RECALL
On acceleration. the car would shudder and there was a loud grinding coming from the front of the car. After inspection by the dealer the front 2 axles had to be replaced. The car has only been driven 70K miles. This posed dangerous driving and control issues on the Interstate. Cost of repair was $3600.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 ACURA TSX. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN COLD CLIMATE, THE VEHICLE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE WITH FORCE TO BE ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD RIGHT AFTER COMING OFF THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED BLINKING AND BEEPING. I TRIED TO TURN INTO A SIDE STREET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND THE POWER STEERING WAS DEFINITELY MALFUNCTIONING, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO TURN. GOOD THING I WASNT STILL ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE TIME OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN PRETTY DANGEROUS.
A CAR STOP IN FRONT OF ME QUICKLY SO I PUSH THE BRAKE HARD TO STOP AND I HEARD THE ABS GRINDING, SO EVERYTHING FINE, I CONTINUE DRIVING THEN I WANT TO STOP ON THE STOP SIGN AND I FOUND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT NORMAL I HAVE TO PUSH IT COMPLETELY DOWN FEELS LIKE NO BRAKES I TOOK IT TO ACURA DEALER AND THEY FLASH THE BRAKE OIL, AND I TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED THEY SAID NO AIR IN THE ABS OR THE SYSTEM AND ITS NORMAL BUT IF IT HAPPEN AGAIN YOU NEED ABS CONTROL MODULE THE CAR MILEAGE IS 109000 AND ITS AL
I WAS DRIVING ALL OF SUDDEN POWER STEERING SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON AND CANT STEER THE CAR HAVE TO GET IT TOWED HOME.VERRY DANGEROUS FOR WHOEVER MAKES THIS STEERING WHEEL LIKE THIS.FOR THIS CAR.WITH ONLY 100K MILES.
EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) LIGHT COME ON WHILE DRIVING AND LOCK STEERING. ERROR CODE: 32-09. EPS LIGHT WILL TURN OFF AFTER RESTART ENGINE BUT WILL COME ON AGAIN AND LOCK STEERING AGAIN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO LOCAL SHOP TO RUN DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY SUGGEST THAT THIS IS BAD MANUFACTURE ISSUE AND SUGGEST TO CONTACT ACURA TO FIX IT UNDER ITS WARRANTY. I HAVE CALL ACURA DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY ARE NOT COVER IT AND I HAVE TO PAID TO GET IT FIX. IT IS A REALLY DANGER
The contact owns a 2012 Acura TSX. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the "power steering failure" message was displayed, and the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,273.
Showing the 15 most serious of 133 complaints filed with NHTSA.
