Acura used-car checks: TSX, TL and model-year evidence

Which Acura lasts longest, and is it a good used buy?

Among the Acura models listed in iSeeCars’ September 2026 longevity study, MDX leads at an estimated 13.1% chance of reaching 250,000 miles, followed by ILX at 12.4%. This is a longevity-model result, not a promise that either reaches that distance without repairs or that every MDX generation is superior.

For a buyer prioritizing long service life, MDX and ILX are therefore evidence-based candidates to investigate, with different body-size needs. Choose the actual vehicle only after its maintenance, mechanical condition and outstanding campaign work justify the price. An unusually cheap example with incomplete records is not validated by the study.

2026 longest-lasting vehicle study · NHTSA recall search and coverage

Acura years need a model-specific comparison

The TSX and TL tables identify different years and different category patterns. There is no defensible Acura-wide calendar year to reject from these data. Use the selected model-year rows below to focus an inspection, then read the full model table and its scope.

This is our model-by-model investigation index. Each row selects that model’s largest available complaint total, so the rows have different year and collection-date scopes. Sales volume, vehicle exposure and reporting behavior are not controlled; the table deliberately does not calculate a brand reliability score.

NHTSA datasets and APIs · NHTSA recall search and coverage

What year acura tsx to stay away from?

The October 13, 2026 snapshot gives 2004 the largest TSX total, 142 complaints, with airbag and electrical categories at 29 each. But 2012 has 133 complaints, including 100 steering entries. A buyer investigating steering should therefore examine the 2012 evidence rather than assume the largest overall total identifies every important issue.

For a 2012 candidate, ask the seller for any steering diagnosis and repair invoice, then have the inspecting shop assess assistance, warning lights and the work recorded. The category count does not identify a defective part or prove that this car has the reported symptom. For a 2004 candidate, separately verify airbag campaign status and any electrical diagnosis; one general service receipt does not answer both questions.

NHTSA datasets and APIs · NHTSA recall search and coverage · Acura TSX: NHTSA query example for 2004 · NHTSA: 2012 Acura TSX complaint records

Which acura tl to stay away from?

The 2004 TL has 551 complaints in the October 13 snapshot, including 232 structure and 199 airbag entries. Those labels do not establish a collision history or a particular dashboard defect. Read the vehicle’s own repair and history records before interpreting a category as its diagnosis.

The official 2004 TL recall response, checked October 15, lists 08V091000 for power-steering hoses on affected 2004–2008 TLs. It also lists 19V182000 for affected replacement driver-airbag inflators. Ask Acura to reconcile the VIN and campaign completion records; a receipt saying only “airbag replaced” does not identify which inflator or campaign was addressed.

Some entries have a narrower parts scope: 19E068000 concerns specified Dorman replacement accelerator assemblies, while 11E022000 concerns specified aftermarket NAPA ball joints. These are not six repairs automatically owed on every TL because the table shows six campaigns. Identify any installed replacement part before treating an equipment recall as applicable.

NHTSA datasets and APIs · NHTSA recall search and coverage · Acura TL: NHTSA query example for 2004 · NHTSA: 2004 Acura TL recall campaigns and applicability

What to obtain before an Acura deposit

Use the report and inspection for different questions: vehicle-history records can help investigate reported damage, title events or mileage; a mechanic’s findings and VIN-specific campaign confirmation address the steering, restraint or other issue being evaluated. Ask for the missing document before pricing a suspected fault as already repaired.

NHTSA: 2012 Acura TSX complaint records · NHTSA: 2004 Acura TL recall campaigns and applicability

How to read these dated records

The TSX and TL tables retain the October 13, 2026 queries for TSX and TL. The brand summary also includes MDX, RDX and TLX records collected September 15; its date column is part of the comparison. Campaign descriptions added in this revision were checked October 15. The complaint tables have not been relabelled as a new collection.

Reports are deduplicated by NHTSA identifiers; category entries can overlap. There is no sales, mileage or reporting-exposure denominator, so totals are not failure probabilities. Campaign counts include returned vehicle or equipment records, not this VIN’s open-recall count. Confirm applicability and completed work separately.

NHTSA datasets and APIs · NHTSA recall search and coverage

Buyer checklist

1. Record the TSX or TL year, engine, VIN and current symptoms.
2. For a TSX steering concern, obtain the diagnosis and the specific repair invoice.
3. For a TL, reconcile airbag and steering-hose campaigns with Acura and identify any relevant aftermarket parts.
4. Read the collection date beside MDX, RDX and TLX summary rows before making comparisons.
5. Compare the candidate’s reported title, mileage and damage history with its repair file; neither source replaces the other.