acura tsx Problems

acura tsx 2006 Complaints

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

drivers seat squeaks and creaks when weight shifts. this is most noticeable when making left turns. there are 7 pages of owners on an acura tsx owners website that also experience this problem. many have taken it to their dealer and either the seat base or rails are replaced or tightened. some dealers mentioned that these were either aligned improperly or are not strong enough to support the weight and they either bend or shift. in many cases, the fixes the dealers performed did work and the noise returns soon afterwards. while this is quite possibly not a safety issue, it is a build problem with the redesigned 2006 tsx. the seat system in this model year is new due to the addition of the power-adjustment mechanism. a $28k car should not have squeaks and creaks. *jb

Reported in: SAINT LOUIS MO || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96856C

SEATS

driver's side seat rails squeak badly. acura needs a tsb to get this problem fixed quickly. should not have this problem on a 3 month old $30,000 car. check acurazine website under tsx forum- squeaky drivers seat and notice how many people are reporting his problem. *jb

Reported in: DENTON TX || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96956C

PARKING BRAKE

newly purchased (approximately 1000 miles on odometer) 2006 acura tsx 6 speed manual shift was parked on slight hill in neutral with parking brake on. after being parked there for some time parking brake failed to hold vehicle and vehicle rolled backwards down driveway striking tree. damage to trunk occurred. dealer checked parking brake and advised brake adjustment within specified parameters nothing wrong. checked same after return from dealer, parking brake held on hill until brakes cooled and vehicle was able to be moved with minimum effort. now parking with vehicle in gear and parking brake on. *jb

Reported in: BUDD LAKE NJ || Crash: Y || VIN #: JH4CL95946C

SEAT BELTS

on approximately 03.01.06 the following problems arose: rattling from the passenger seat, near the armrest cracking/popping/buzzing from the front drivers door speaker/window switch area (acura service bulletin 04-024) at highway speeds, rattling from both door mounted seat belt adjusters squeaky brakes mildew smell from climate control with a/c off felt tape became exposed on dash an appointment was made for 05.15.06 at ron tonkin acura. upon picking up the vehicle on 05.19.06, all the issues had not been fixed, as well as the following additional problems: 3 inch scratch on drivers seat large grease stains on headliner new squeak coming from drivers seat when turning left or right a second appointment is setup for 05.25.06. upon picking up the car the dealer has fixed the drivers and passengers squeaks as well as removed the grease stains and exposed felt tape and silenced the rattles from the seat belt adjusters by replacing them. all other problems remain. a third appointment is setup for 06.12.06. between appointments (06.05.06) the seat belt adjusters begin rattling again. after picking up the car for the third time, the dealer finally fixes the scratch on the seat and re-replaces the seat belt adjusters. again, all other problems remain. on approximately 07.15.06, the drivers and passengers seats began squeaking again, and now i must take the car to the dealer a fourth time. *jb

Reported in: HILLSBROR OR || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL95966C

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

on approximately 03.01.06 the following problems arose: rattling from the passenger seat, near the armrest cracking/popping/buzzing from the front drivers door speaker/window switch area (acura service bulletin 04-024) at highway speeds, rattling from both door mounted seat belt adjusters squeaky brakes mildew smell from climate control with a/c off felt tape became exposed on dash an appointment was made for 05.15.06 at ron tonkin acura. upon picking up the vehicle on 05.19.06, all the issues had not been fixed, as well as the following additional problems: 3 inch scratch on drivers seat large grease stains on headliner new squeak coming from drivers seat when turning left or right a second appointment is setup for 05.25.06. upon picking up the car the dealer has fixed the drivers and passengers squeaks as well as removed the grease stains and exposed felt tape and silenced the rattles from the seat belt adjusters by replacing them. all other problems remain. a third appointment is setup for 06.12.06. between appointments (06.05.06) the seat belt adjusters begin rattling again. after picking up the car for the third time, the dealer finally fixes the scratch on the seat and re-replaces the seat belt adjusters. again, all other problems remain. on approximately 07.15.06, the drivers and passengers seats began squeaking again, and now i must take the car to the dealer a fourth time. *jb

Reported in: HILLSBROR OR || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL95966C

SEATS

on approximately 03.01.06 the following problems arose: rattling from the passenger seat, near the armrest cracking/popping/buzzing from the front drivers door speaker/window switch area (acura service bulletin 04-024) at highway speeds, rattling from both door mounted seat belt adjusters squeaky brakes mildew smell from climate control with a/c off felt tape became exposed on dash an appointment was made for 05.15.06 at ron tonkin acura. upon picking up the vehicle on 05.19.06, all the issues had not been fixed, as well as the following additional problems: 3 inch scratch on drivers seat large grease stains on headliner new squeak coming from drivers seat when turning left or right a second appointment is setup for 05.25.06. upon picking up the car the dealer has fixed the drivers and passengers squeaks as well as removed the grease stains and exposed felt tape and silenced the rattles from the seat belt adjusters by replacing them. all other problems remain. a third appointment is setup for 06.12.06. between appointments (06.05.06) the seat belt adjusters begin rattling again. after picking up the car for the third time, the dealer finally fixes the scratch on the seat and re-replaces the seat belt adjusters. again, all other problems remain. on approximately 07.15.06, the drivers and passengers seats began squeaking again, and now i must take the car to the dealer a fourth time. *jb

Reported in: HILLSBROR OR || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL95966C

SEATS

squeaky drivers seat on brand new 2006 acura tsx automatic transmission with 200 miles.

Reported in: GLEN ALLEN VA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96836C

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

faulty windshield wiper that chatters and makes loud noise.

Reported in: WINNETKA CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96846C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY

2006 acura tsx was purchased with an existing electrical problem.

Reported in: MOBILE AL || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96886C

STEERING

my vehicle's steering wheel makes a moaning noise when the steering wheel turns left or right a low speeds. the acura dealer replaced the cable reel inside the steering wheel hub but the noise continues. i am afraid this noise is an indication that something inside the steering wheel will wear out eventually and cause loss of vehicle control.

Reported in: CAVE CREEK AZ || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96896C

SUSPENSION:REAR

bought a used 2006 acura tsx at an auto auction in december, 2008. i noticed the tires were worn unevenly so i took it to my mechanic for an alignment. he immediately noticed that the rear wheels had a fairly noticeable negative camber, more so on the right rear than the left rear, of about 2 degrees, then when he put the car on the rack, he found the front tires had a small toe in problem that could be adjusted but the rear suspension had no provision for adjustment of the camber. i did some investigations on the internet to see how others were dealing about this problem, and found that a lot of other tsx owners were aware of the problem and that there were several aftermarket manufacturers making rear suspension adjustment kits. i then stopped in to my regular acura dealer repair department and talked with the service manager to see what could be done. he said that if i had brought the car in during the warranty period, i would have been covered, but since the car was over the 50,000 mile warranty period, i was out of luck. i asked him what the factory specifications were for the rear camber, and he told me that it was a minus 1 degree, plus or minus 30 minutes. i pressed him further, pointing out that this defect was built into the car and that the mileage on the car had no bearing on the amount of camber, and that if i had brought the car in to their shop to get the rear camber brought into factory specs, the shop wouldn't have been able to do that without a new rear linkage kit. i have noticed the rear camber problem on most tsx's in this generation of the car when i'm out and about. the service manager did tell me that everyone knows that you only get 25-30k miles out of a set of tires on a tsx, and i agreed but pointed out that was only because the rear camber design defect causes greatly increased wear on the inner part of the tire. my mechanic usually sets the rear camber at a -1/4 to 1/2 degree, and we can't figure out why the acura design team did this.

Reported in: NOVELTY OH || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96866C

STEERING

going around a turn my valet key on my key ring was lodged into a screw hole in my steering wheel causing my key to come out of my ignition and turn off my car. i was about to go into a curb but i was able to use my brakes.

Reported in: HAMPSTEAD MD || Crash: N || VIN #:

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1st incident: the front brakes went out. i had them checked twice before the dealer replaced them. they reported they were low but blamed it on me. i complained in the beginning when i couldn't stop, and skid into intersections at red lights some times barely missing the cars in front of me. the dealers all said it was the way i was driving the car. i haven't driven this car any different from my previous cars that didn't have abs. i've owned several new cars so i think i know how to drive a car properly by now. i've never worn down any brakes in my car inside of a few months of ownership. i have replaced front brakes on many of my cars once a year which is normal. this one shouldn't have been any different. there was clearly a problem with them in the beginning. 2nd incident: the engine light was coming on for no reason at 20,000 miles. the car didn't need to be serviced but the dealer was unable to determine why it was coming on. 3rd incident: the battery failed twice in one year. i owned a mazda that the battery failed on and it only happened once. i owned that car 5 years and never had another problem with it after that. i find this odd that the battery failed twice. 4th incident: some times the car didn't start, there was nothing wrong with the alternator or starter. i assumed it was the battery again. when it was running it would hesitate to move or would jerk while in motion. 5th incident: the driver seat belt would constantly jam preventing me from putting it on or adjusting it while on. while i was driving it would get so tight that i couldn't release it no matter what i did. i had to pull over and take it off in order to release the taught pull across my chest. i had to struggle with it for several minutes to get it on every day. this was from inception of ownership until i finally had it repaired not realizing it was faulty. every other problem i have had over the years was not safety related that i'm aware of, and i've had many others since. updated 06/07/10*jb

Reported in: IRVINE CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96946C

SEAT BELTS

1st incident: the front brakes went out. i had them checked twice before the dealer replaced them. they reported they were low but blamed it on me. i complained in the beginning when i couldn't stop, and skid into intersections at red lights some times barely missing the cars in front of me. the dealers all said it was the way i was driving the car. i haven't driven this car any different from my previous cars that didn't have abs. i've owned several new cars so i think i know how to drive a car properly by now. i've never worn down any brakes in my car inside of a few months of ownership. i have replaced front brakes on many of my cars once a year which is normal. this one shouldn't have been any different. there was clearly a problem with them in the beginning. 2nd incident: the engine light was coming on for no reason at 20,000 miles. the car didn't need to be serviced but the dealer was unable to determine why it was coming on. 3rd incident: the battery failed twice in one year. i owned a mazda that the battery failed on and it only happened once. i owned that car 5 years and never had another problem with it after that. i find this odd that the battery failed twice. 4th incident: some times the car didn't start, there was nothing wrong with the alternator or starter. i assumed it was the battery again. when it was running it would hesitate to move or would jerk while in motion. 5th incident: the driver seat belt would constantly jam preventing me from putting it on or adjusting it while on. while i was driving it would get so tight that i couldn't release it no matter what i did. i had to pull over and take it off in order to release the taught pull across my chest. i had to struggle with it for several minutes to get it on every day. this was from inception of ownership until i finally had it repaired not realizing it was faulty. every other problem i have had over the years was not safety related that i'm aware of, and i've had many others since. updated 06/07/10*jb

Reported in: IRVINE CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96946C

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1st incident: the front brakes went out. i had them checked twice before the dealer replaced them. they reported they were low but blamed it on me. i complained in the beginning when i couldn't stop, and skid into intersections at red lights some times barely missing the cars in front of me. the dealers all said it was the way i was driving the car. i haven't driven this car any different from my previous cars that didn't have abs. i've owned several new cars so i think i know how to drive a car properly by now. i've never worn down any brakes in my car inside of a few months of ownership. i have replaced front brakes on many of my cars once a year which is normal. this one shouldn't have been any different. there was clearly a problem with them in the beginning. 2nd incident: the engine light was coming on for no reason at 20,000 miles. the car didn't need to be serviced but the dealer was unable to determine why it was coming on. 3rd incident: the battery failed twice in one year. i owned a mazda that the battery failed on and it only happened once. i owned that car 5 years and never had another problem with it after that. i find this odd that the battery failed twice. 4th incident: some times the car didn't start, there was nothing wrong with the alternator or starter. i assumed it was the battery again. when it was running it would hesitate to move or would jerk while in motion. 5th incident: the driver seat belt would constantly jam preventing me from putting it on or adjusting it while on. while i was driving it would get so tight that i couldn't release it no matter what i did. i had to pull over and take it off in order to release the taught pull across my chest. i had to struggle with it for several minutes to get it on every day. this was from inception of ownership until i finally had it repaired not realizing it was faulty. every other problem i have had over the years was not safety related that i'm aware of, and i've had many others since. updated 06/07/10*jb

Reported in: IRVINE CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96946C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1st incident: the front brakes went out. i had them checked twice before the dealer replaced them. they reported they were low but blamed it on me. i complained in the beginning when i couldn't stop, and skid into intersections at red lights some times barely missing the cars in front of me. the dealers all said it was the way i was driving the car. i haven't driven this car any different from my previous cars that didn't have abs. i've owned several new cars so i think i know how to drive a car properly by now. i've never worn down any brakes in my car inside of a few months of ownership. i have replaced front brakes on many of my cars once a year which is normal. this one shouldn't have been any different. there was clearly a problem with them in the beginning. 2nd incident: the engine light was coming on for no reason at 20,000 miles. the car didn't need to be serviced but the dealer was unable to determine why it was coming on. 3rd incident: the battery failed twice in one year. i owned a mazda that the battery failed on and it only happened once. i owned that car 5 years and never had another problem with it after that. i find this odd that the battery failed twice. 4th incident: some times the car didn't start, there was nothing wrong with the alternator or starter. i assumed it was the battery again. when it was running it would hesitate to move or would jerk while in motion. 5th incident: the driver seat belt would constantly jam preventing me from putting it on or adjusting it while on. while i was driving it would get so tight that i couldn't release it no matter what i did. i had to pull over and take it off in order to release the taught pull across my chest. i had to struggle with it for several minutes to get it on every day. this was from inception of ownership until i finally had it repaired not realizing it was faulty. every other problem i have had over the years was not safety related that i'm aware of, and i've had many others since. updated 06/07/10*jb

Reported in: IRVINE CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96946C

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

side curtain and seat airbags deployed while driving on highway with no impact to car.

Reported in: IUKA MS || Crash: N || VIN #:

STEERING

ongoing leak of power steering fuel which caused smoke and odor of burning. power steering fluid would drain and had to be replaced frequently. upon inspection by dealer, power steering hose was cracked and needed replacement, this was completed at dealership.

Reported in: LAKELAND FL || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96826C

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

acura tsx drivers side headlight assembly defect in seal cauing condensation and parts to short not work.

Reported in: PITTSFORD NY || Crash: N || VIN #:

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

the drivers side door locking mechanism has failed and the remote and the key both won't work. i couldn't get into the car. the remote key failed a few months ago. apparently the mechanism in the door is the issue and i have scheduled to get the door repaired this week. the total will be about $150. i can't lock the door anymore because i am worried that the door won't open back up and i won't be able to get back into the car.

Reported in: CLIFFWOOD NJ || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96826C

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

actuator malfunction - passenger front door. cannot be unlocked or locked electronically. passenger door is rarely used and car has under 50,000 miles.

Reported in: IRVINE CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96896C

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

2006 tsx. consumer states power steering malfunction *tgw the consumer stated the power steering was malfunctioning significantly and he could hardly drive the vehicle. later in the evening, there was letter in the mail from acura regarding a safety recall relating to a power steering fluid leak. the consumer is now seeking reimbursement for $ 375.90 for the repairs. *jb

Reported in: CORAL SPRINGS FL || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96876C

STEERING

started the car pulled off at slow speed(15-20). car started making noises are i turned the corner. appeared to be noises made for power steering. parked the car up put power steering fluid in and the noise stop. driving again the noise appeared again. took it to the mechanic found out that the rack and pinion went bad.

Reported in: FREDERIKSTED VI || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96996C

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

this 06 acura tsx car has a problem with the interior lighting above the rear view mirror, not working properly. lights will not work most of the time but will come on, on their own uncommaneded and drain your car battery.this push for on lights cannot be determined if they are commanded on or off. i know two more cars years 04 to 06 with this same problem.

Reported in: KINGWOOD TX || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL969X6C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

this 06 acura tsx car has a problem with the interior lighting above the rear view mirror, not working properly. lights will not work most of the time but will come on, on their own uncommaneded and drain your car battery.this push for on lights cannot be determined if they are commanded on or off. i know two more cars years 04 to 06 with this same problem.

Reported in: KINGWOOD TX || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL969X6C

STEERING

power steering rack failed unexpectedly. car developed a noise without any warning, and the steering became hard to turn. made it to the repair center (dealership) without any problems, but the steering wheel was really hard to turn by the time i got there (with a drive no longer than 10 miles). looking at online forums, it appears that an abnormal number of people have needed power steering racks between 90k-130k miles due to leaks. this appears abnormal, as my understanding is that a rack should last for the life of the car. this makes me wonder if it has anything to do with the power steering leak tsb that acura has for these cars. *jb

Reported in: TUCSON AZ || Crash: N || VIN #: JH4CL96866C