2008 Acura TSX problems
NHTSA has received 42 complaints about the 2008 Acura TSX, and 40% of them involve steering. Next are brakes (17%) and electrical system (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 42 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 41% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 4 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 60,000 miles 31 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 7 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 4 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 5 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 31 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 60,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 86,000 miles (14 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 4 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2008 ranks 7th most-complained-about out of 10 model years of the Acura TSX with enough data (22 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
Tl* the contact previously owned a 2008 acura tsx. The contact attempted to turn the steering wheel; however, the steering wheel did not respond when it was turned. As a result, the contact crashed into a pole. The contact sustained a fractured left toe, fractured wrist in two places, and bruising to the entire body. The dealer nor manufacturer were notified nor was the failure diagnosed. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
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.
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.
While driving home the power steering failed. After having the car towed to the only acura dealer in town, the trouble was diagnosed as a rack and pinion failure. When we suggested that was an atypical problem for a vehicle with only 87, 000 miles the dealer agreed it was not typical. Two days later we learned that the same dealer had just done the same repair on the same model with less than 50, 000 miles.