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2006 Acura TSX Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Acura TSX has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Power steering rack and hose fluid leak.” Acura's Maintenance Minder calculates oil life from real engine conditions and shows service codes instead of fixed mileages — code A or B (oil / oil + inspection) plus sub-codes for items like tire rotation (1), air filters (2), or transmission fluid (3). Follow the codes, not the calendar. One interval you should never stretch: most Acura 3.5L V6 engines (MDX, TL) use a timing belt with a roughly 105,000-mile / 7-year replacement — a snapped belt on this interference engine means bent valves. SH-AWD models add a rear-differential fluid service that's essential for the torque-vectoring unit.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Acura TSX.

Reported to NHTSA

Power steering rack and hose fluid leak

STEERING

23 NHTSA complaints · 2010-05 → 2025-01

“Power steering rack & pinion always leaks on these vehicles. It is possible to lose all pressure in system and for vehicle to lose control while on the road. Acura is aware of the issue on 04-08 TSX models but refuses to issue a recall”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11552692
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA TSX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM BOTH SIDES AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10870812
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10480107

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Driver seat squeak and rattle

SEATS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2006-03 → 2007-03

“SQUEAKY DRIVERS SEAT ON BRAND NEW 2006 ACURA TSX AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH 200 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10185428
“DRIVERS SEAT SQUEAKS AND CREAKS WHEN WEIGHT SHIFTS. THIS IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10154237
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10154246

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door lock actuator failure

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

2 NHTSA complaints · 2011-03 → 2011-06

“ACTUATOR MALFUNCTION - PASSENGER FRONT DOOR. CANNOT BE UNLOCKED OR LOCKED ELECTRONICALLY. PASSENGER DOOR IS RARELY USED AND CAR HAS UNDER 50,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10405663
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10386842

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and no-start with electrical fault

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-09 → 2022-09

“Every day I. The morning, the car would not start even though the battery is new and the car is driven everyday and mechanics can not find the problem and it passes all tests when checked for problems”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11487342
“The contact owns a 2006 Acura TSX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11421128

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Reduced brake and parking brake stopping performance

SERVICE BRAKES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2006-07 → 2019-10

“WHEN APPLYING FIRM PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, IT RESPONDS WITH A SERIES OF RAPID VIBRATIONS AND CONCOMITANT CLICKING NOISE. I NEVER FEEL A SOLID AND RESPONSIVE BREAKING SYSTEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11269792
“I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE 2006 ACURA TSX. EVER SINCE THE FIRST DATE OF PURCHASE, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES PADS WERE NOT ALWAYS STRONG ENOUGH TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I ALWAYS HAVE TO PUSH DOWN THE BRAKES HARD IN ORDER TO STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10668255
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10162698

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment and inadvertent deployment

AIR BAGS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2010-03 → 2014-10

“MY WIFE LOST CONTROL OF OUR 2006 ACURA TSX AND HIT A CONCRETE BARRIER HEAD FIRST AT APPROXIMATELY 50MPH. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH FRAME RAILS WERE BENT AND EVERYTHING AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS PUSHED BACK TOWARDS THE ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10651125
“SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH NO IMPACT TO CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10318568

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Oil & Filter (Maintenance Minder A/B)

Every 8,000 mi

Change when the Maintenance Minder reaches 15% oil life or shows code A/B — typically every 7,500-10,000 miles with 0W-20 synthetic. Short-trip city driving triggers the code sooner; that's the algorithm doing its job.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Timing Belt (3.5L V6 — MDX, TL)

Every 105,000 mi

J-series V6: replace the timing belt around 105,000 miles or 7 years (Maintenance Minder sub-code 4). It's an interference engine — a failed belt destroys valves. Replace the water pump and tensioner in the same job. (2022+ MDX 3.5L remains belt-driven; the Integra's turbo four is chain-driven.)

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate when sub-code 1 appears — roughly every 7,500 miles. SH-AWD models: keep tread depths matched across all four corners.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and fluid level with every A/B service. Type S models with Brembo front calipers: pads wear faster and cost more — budget ahead.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 3 years regardless of mileage — Honda/Acura schedules this on time because the fluid absorbs moisture.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Transmission Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF when sub-code 3 appears — commonly every 30,000-60,000 miles depending on duty. Use Honda/Acura ATF only (DW-1, or the 10-speed's specified fluid); aftermarket 'universal' ATF causes shudder in these gearboxes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

SH-AWD Rear Differential Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

SH-AWD (MDX, TLX, RDX): replace the rear differential fluid roughly every 30,000 miles (sub-code 6) — the torque-vectoring clutch packs run in this fluid, and whining or binding in tight turns is the classic overdue symptom.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 4)

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium plugs around 100,000 miles on most models. Turbocharged Integra/ADX engines: check the manual — forced induction typically shortens the interval.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 2)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace with sub-code 2, roughly every 30,000 miles — sooner in dusty conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 2)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace with sub-code 2 alongside the engine air filter. Behind the glovebox — an easy DIY on most Acuras.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Sub-code 5)

Every 100,000 mi

Honda/Acura Type 2 coolant: first change around 10 years / 100,000 miles, then every 5 years / 50,000. Use the blue Type 2 coolant only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

54 crashes 1990–2024

How the 54 occupant deaths break down

41

driver deaths

13

passenger deaths

54

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Acura TSX reflects Acura's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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