2005 Manual TSX here. I would like to go through a list of what I have dealt with over the past two years of ownership.

-Clicking in clutch pedal. Only does it when it warms up. Winter time is fine.

-Excessive oil consumption. I know there are several threads regarding this issue but it looks like the only true solution is a replacement engine.

- Just had to replace the alternator.

- Just had to replace an ignition coil.

Sad for a car that I purchased with 83k and now has 110k. For what' s it worth I owned a 97 Integra and loved it. Drove it to the ground, 280,000. The TSX has been an absolute disaster. I'm trying to trade it in for an Escape.

I've been giving them hell on Twitter. If you are having similar issues hop on there and let them have it.

 

Let me get this straight...
YOU BOUGHT A USED CAR.....

and is blaming acura?

 

let me regain my composure....


wait, no, nevermind.

 

Go eff yourself. Am I supposed to buy a new car? Please. Too expensive and depreciation. My Integra was used and was wonderful. I'd venture most owners on here buy used.

 

lets try to be serious guise.....



Cant say that with a straight face.

 

Class act, like I said go fuk yourself.

 

my point is, you cant blame the auto manufacture for some "maintenance related" items.

for your information, I bought my TL used.
and have fixed EVERY issue that the car throws at me.

you'll be in trouble WHEN you do buy a brand new car. there will be trouble, and the auto manufacture
WILL not care about you.
but you have more of an argument there.


when you buy something 2nd hand, you take ALL of the responsibilities. Acura has no obligation to help you.
thus why its called "sold as is"

your minor issues ARE VERY minor.

 

Good luck finding anything with +75,000 miles trouble-free (especially if it had over 2 owners). I've had issues with my 06 TSX with +110,000 miles. What makes the TSX a keeper are no car payments for 5 years and the issues I've had cost very little compared to a monthly payment for 3 years when new off the lot.

 

You probably wouldn't get much sympathy here to begin with (you're a newbie/troll, and the problems you've had are very uncommon for an American 05 TSX with such low miles). You lost ANY any chance of getting ANY respect at all by dissing justn (or anyone else, should you fail to see the error of your ways and continue to dig the hole deeper). That said, it sounds like you've basically got a close to 10 year old used car that probably wasn't maintained properly.

 

^+1 This.

 

As Simba said it's a almost 10 year old car. Things are going to fail. Have you ever left rubber out in the elements for 10 years and see what it does to it? I'm betting on your Escape you are going to have more issues with a 110k over a 110 TSX.

If you came to the forums and asked about the coil and alternator you would see that they are easy to change and would have saved you $$$.

Every manufacture is going to have their flaws. I curse the engineer at Honda who designed the way the engine oil drains from the filter every time I change my oil, but think back to how many times our 95 Taurus was at the Ford dealer and think it could be worse.

 

Ironic.

You have no idea how your car was treated before you got it.

You're out of warranty.

None of this is Acura's fault.

Since you can't see the irony of your own rudeness, I'm guessing the above thinking process never occurred to you.

 

its not that he dissed me...I did incite him.
however, his flaw in his argument is that he's blaming Acura.


lets put it this way...if the OP were in the business of selling something, anything really, he would have no obligation to fix or to help out the product after 10 years and after its been switched hands 2 or more times.

would it be beneficial for his business to help repair the product, yes.
but he doesnt have to.

 

and as a big of a business Honda is; selling millions of product world wide; they dont care about you, a 2nd hand consumer.

 

I just wanted to air my frustrations and totally agree with the OP. **DISCLAIMER: All mileage is in KILOMETERS, NOT MILES-- CANADA**

I owned the following Honda/Acura products with no major issues at all:

1997 Honda Accord ex-r V6 (2.7) C27 motor
2001 Acura 3.5RL (3.5) C35 motor
1996 Acura Integra SE - leather (1.8) B18 motor

BUT, then I wanted to upgrade to a newer Acura.... The first gen TSX was always sexy (and still is in my eyes). After a year of ownership of my 2004 TSX from August 2012 to August 2013, I couldn't believe just how bad the company had gotten.

I even made sure I bought a "Japan" made Acura product. A/C quit working, door lock actuator on both front doors quit, starter died (despite the starter being replaced in 2010 as well), upper and lower balljoints and control arms, Dash lights all went out, including the audio and climate control screens LCD-- irritating during winter and daylight savings time when it gets dark at 4pm, headlights leaked water/condensation, front wheel bearings, radiator, car shut down and refused to start when applying full throttle for the first time (and finally re-started after multiple attempts-- car didn't burn oil at all), only to find a check engine light and an extremely rough running engine that needed a new timing chain.... DESPITE well documented oil changes since new with synthetic oil from the Acura Dealership)... This was a 1-owner car, mature owner. Zero mods, not even tinted.

I never took the car over 3K RPM, infact I drove it like a granny (2.5K rpm shifts) - this is an auto) - to save gas. I liked the motor. It was torquey and smooth. When it worked. Again, I had every service record, which was confirmed with a local Acura dealership. 1 owner car for 8 years, until I bought it in 2012.


Enough was enough. I sold it and found a 2000 Integra GS with leather. 1 owner, old man, and dealer serviced to the book, right down to the fuel filter being done. It's mint and rust free (oil sprayed annually). Very happy with that car, and judging by the reviews I've read of the 3rd generation Integras, if I treat her well, it will be just as problem free as my first 3 Honda/Acura cars.

I will NEVER own a post-1990s designed Honda EVER again, unless the company shapes up and loses its bean counting corporate bafoons. The newer cars may have nicer designs, more premium features, and MUCH nicer interiors - BUT, the quality of all the parts as a whole which come together to form the vehicle is INFERIOR.

---> My 97 Accord -- 5th gen accord released in Japan in 1993, later came to North America as a 94 model - a 90s Honda, oozing with quality and reliability. Used the First gen Acura Legend engine.

---> My 2001 Acura 3.5RL -- known as the 3rd gen Honda Legend in Japan... released in Japan in 1995 as a 1996 model -- again a 90s design (produced from 96-04). I would own this car again. Just a little thirsty on fuel in the city.

----> My 1996 and 2000 Acura Integras --- 3rd gen Integra released as a 1993 model in Japan, later came to North America as a 94 model.... - - 90s Hondas, oozing with quality and reliability.


To each their own. My TSX was sold. Never again. By the way, my RL was sold with 309,000km. Problem free besides as timing belt. My Accord 2.7 was sold with 282Km, just a timing belt. Ditto both Integras.


TSX? Sold with 239K, with all the aforementioned issues. Almost any car (under $50,000) can run for 300,000 easy highway kilometers..... throw in city traffic, tons of potholes and rough roads, frigid winter temps, hot summers, etc and it becomes clear which cars were built to stand the test of time. In other words, I've been able to separate the boys from men, if you will. Old Honda for the WIN. Especially the Old Integras and 3.5RL and 4th and 5th gen accords. All of those cars were tanks! They survived/ are surviving BOTH the tests of TIME and MILEAGE better than my newer TSX with lower mileage ever could.

As long as one can keep rust away from the aforementioned older Hondas, especially the 4th/5th gen Accords and the 2nd/3rd gen Integras, they will probably outlive a lot of what is rolling out of automotive factories today with MINIMAL maintenance, IF they are driven and treated with RESPECT and not neglected and beat on by their owners. Simple as that.




:endrant:banghead:

The 3rd gen Integra and 1st gen RL are the most reliable cars Acura will ever make. I'm glad to be in a Mint GS Integra now, and am currently seeking a 2004 black on black 3.5RL, which was just like my 01 RL. Don't want to have anything to do with these garbage K24 motors or J35 auto trannys/pressure switches


https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/rant-old-honda-acura-vs-new-honda-acura-quality-reliability-your-experience-900111/

 

Looks like we're both in the same boat.

3rd gen Tegs and 1st gen RLs are tough to beat.

 

you guys are complaining about things that can be found in other auto manufactures.

i dont think any one of you will be happy with cars today.

 

^Exactly...no cars is perfect and every parts can fail, even honda's. My TSX has currently 160k miles and I'm still on oem alt, rad, clutch, engine, suspension and the list could go on...

 

God forbid you gentlemen to actually own a german vehicle...
lol jeez.
they have engine problems. and electrical problems.
and guess what BMW doesnt care about them either.

All cars will have their faults. no one car is perfect. just like you gentlemen are not perfect.
almost like snowflakes.
each snowflake is different.
lol did i dumb down enough for you, snowflakes?

 

BMWs have engine and electrical issues?

If you read my post, you'd understand that my TSX had both engine AND electrical issues.

To add salt to my wounds, I picked up a 06 Accord EX-L. 1 month later, it threw a P0431 and a few other codes--- only 112K miles.... needs a new camshaft sensor, crankshaft sensor, timing chain guides, and timing chain. Car was serviced since new (1 owner) at the Honda dealership. I have all records and confirmed them with my local Honda dealer. Older lady driven.


I just don't get it.


Like I said, I'll be hunting down a black on black 04 RL to compliment my Integra GS (less than 100K miles on it).


Honda/Acura is DIFFERENT because it makes claim and boasts about its dependability/reliability-- while BMW does not.

The Honda Motor Co. is NOT the company it once was. Your biased loyalty to the brand is very apparent, so I won't bother trying to convince you to believe otherwise.

Toyota/Lexus build phenomenal cars for long term ownership. I don't really care about recalls, since I buy my cars 8-10 years used (or more).

 

im not biased at all.
BMW's High pressure fuel pump ring any bells?
I only bought the Used acura TL because it falls in my budget and it wouldnt be an arm and a leg for maintenance.

there's a reason why people lease bmw's and not own them.

All cars will have their quirks, is all im saying .

hell, Ford is doing amazing things!!
I love the focus ST.
and of course the coyote mustangs.

Hyundai and Kia are doing amazing things as well.
my family owns a '12 Kia sportage and its an exceptional vehicle!
doesnt come with all the bells and whistles of my TL but it is solid.
and yes, the koreans have their quirks too.

 

p.s. you guise did see that GM is recalling millions of cars all the way back from 2004?
toyota is recalling millions of cars too.

these safety concerns warranted a recall.

the issues outlined here in this thread, arent a safety concern at all.

 

oh shit, Volkswagen just flagged a fire risk in their outgoing 2014 models. faulty o-ring

 

Is this thread serious? Complaining about a few repairs on used cars with over 100K miles? Geez, go read any other car forums and get over yourselves.

 

Don't really care about recalls-- as long as they are covered. I want my car to run. Not cost me almost $1500 for all the timing chain work I previously mentioned. And the A/C, etc, etc.

My point is that a 1st gen RL and 3rd gen Integra both run flawlessly with high mileage, compared to the trash they sell today which only looks sleek and seduces people to buy -- based on nice interiors and great exterior aesthetics.

Dependability is in the toilet. Early to mid 90s designed Honda/Acuras (that includes the 04 RL and 3rd gen Teg), are much more robust by comparison.

Resale values should reflect the reduced quality. And I'm far from the only one out there who believes that Honda/Acura has cut FAR too many corners.

 

^who's stopping you from leaving?
I'm not brand loyal.
and you shouldnt be either.

Kia/Hyundai and Ford have been doing great things!

 

I have to agree with you on some aspects of what Honda has been doing lately. After futzing around with my stabilizer link ends I think Honda is making things more difficult for the DIY and thus skyrocketing the cost of the bill you pay to the dealer. None of my previous 4 Honda's had any of the lower control arm bushings ever replaced and most went 130k+ miles. I had to replace mine on my 07 TSX at just under 70k miles.

Also I think my ongoing noise issue is with the bushings on the stabilizer bar which the dealership has not yet found. I think the bushings that I replaced on the LCA was a misdiagnosis. Again I have to take it in because I never have dropped a subframe which is required for these stupid bushings. A 15 minute job has been turned into a 2+ hour because they couldn't move the bolt 1 inch over.

I have owned Honda/Acuras since 09 and this is the first time I really don't like anything out there. I will probably look elsewhere for my next car/SUV.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your problems with your 04 TSX.

As much as your personal experience has to be aggravating, I have to question extending your derision to all TSXs and all Honda/Acura products built since 2004, as the numbers and data from Acura and Honda owners don't bear it out.

Consumer Reports and JD Power have called the 1G TSX one of the most reliable cars you can buy. (It once again made the CR list of recommended used cars to buy for a teenager a few days ago.)

Additionally, some of your issues, (A/C failure, dash lights, HVAC lights), have been long discussed in forums here -- but are specific only to the 2004 TSX. Yes, that was a problem...but it does not apply to all the other model years -- or to other Acuras and Hondas. Anyone asking about buying a used 2004 TSX here is told immediately to look at any other year because of first year problems. (Look it up.) Such things affect the first year models of nearly every model of all brands.

Some here have had problems...but many have not. Simba (above) and his wife for example, have owned three TSXs and he often talks about how they have been bulletproof in nearly 400,000 miles of combined driving.

I have an 06 TSX that has given me no problems other than a corroded battery cable. ($7 fix from Autozone.)

There are clearly exceptions and anecdotal experiences, but overall the reliability of Acuras and TSXs in general seems to be quite different than what has been stated here.

 

Statistics vs. ranting anecdotes..

 

Sorry OP but I agree with justn and everyone else. For one, you're complaining about normal maintenance items. I mean come on, crying about replacing an alternator? I had a '99 Cavalier that I bought 5 years old in '04. Within 5 years of owning it I probably went though 2 batteries, 2 starters, and at least 1 or two alternators. I feel like 9 years on an alternator is pretty damn good, assuming it's the original one.

I'm not sure about the oil consumption, but I think that's a known issue on the TSX. You should have done your research before purchasing it.

You really think a FORD Escape is going to be any better? Haha you will be in for a surprise. Like justn said, every car brand has its problems.

I get a kick out of people saying that TLs have a transmission issue because people have had them go out at 100k or 150k miles. What car model hasn't had cars with transmission issues? I guarantee if you go to any car message board you will see thousands of posts about transmission issues. My girlfriend just got a 2006 Nissan Murano and there are still people on those boards crying about the CVT transmissions being bad.

Just out of cars I had driven in high school I had a 1991 Mazda 929 that blew a transmission twice before 130,000 miles. I had a 1990 Pontiac Sunbird that blew a transmission at around 130,000 miles. My dad had to replace the transmission in his 1992 Buick LeSabre at about 90,000 miles. My sister had a Ford tempo that blew a transmission before 90,000 miles. This was all within 3 or 4 years.

I'm just saying, some people have unrealistic expectations for cars, even if it is a higher quality brand. With any car you're rolling the dice. You might be lucky and get a car that barely needs anything and gets you to 150,000 miles, or you may have to replace 10 things before you get to 100,000 miles. How long is a transmission supposed to last? How about a starter or alternator? This is all subjective.

There's probably a reason that you won't find an Acura TL or TSX in a junk yard unless it has been totaled in a car wreck. Can you say the same about many other cars?

 

Crying like a baby, "wahhhh I bought a used car without assessing issues, and now I blame the car maker" wahhh wahhh

 

Lol Buy a 3g 6spd. No problems except for the steering rack. Well that might be a deal breaker for you. Honestly the best bang for your buck would be a car that has never been beat on and has been driven by someone really really old.

Literally the issues you mentioned are maintenance related. Nothing else. You got lucky. You'll really have to pray for a miracle to find a used car for cheap that has been exceptionally maintained.

Just keep in mind it is an investment. Fix what you can and don't sell.

You drove it to the ground and then what? Sold it for scrap? I would guess the only reason it broke is because you didn't do the maintenance that was required or reached a point where it wasn't worth the time or money to fix. And then you complain about the TSX given your wonderful belief of how cars should operate and how you have treated them before.

This is what most owners do and then the next schmuck who buys it complains that it is an unreliable brand. Which world are you from though? Really?

 

How is burning 3-4 qts of oil every 3k "normal maintenance"? You guys are hard up for Acura, I get it, I used to be too. I'm over it. I understand routine maintenance and repairs, that's any vehicle. Never had to replace an alternator on that old 97 Integra.......

-What I have a problem with is the fact the Honda luxury brand burns oil like a 1970's Chrysler and you guys defend it. That is not "maintenance" That is faulty design and poor quality.
-My check engine light stays on. Guess why? Low oil pressure! Shocking!
-This is the hardest shifting vehicle I've ever owned ,hands down.
-My neighbor owns a 09 TSX and just had to replace the alternator as well. Guess that is routine huh? Acura is slipping, actually seems like a lot of auto makers are.

Sad thing is I actually like the car, the interior and exterior blows away some of the newer Acuras IMO.
And I didn't mean to come off as an A-hole, but when someone posts their frustration and you guys laugh at it, well what do you expect to happen?

Any idea how to disable the check engine light? Disconnecting the battery lasts about a mile....

 

I think you just happened to have a bad apple out of the bunch. I've owned three acura's, the first being a 96 rl which had about 160k miles on it. Never had an issue out of it i just totaled it . After that i purchased a 2000 tl. It had 200k miles on it and she ran like a charm but i was looking for a newer model so i went ahead and got the 06 tl. She has about 145k on her. It's been the most problematic out of the bunch but it's nothing serious. Compared to a lot of brands of vehicles i think acura has been damn good.

 

Use an OBDII bluetooth dongle to scan and reset the code if it's not serious. Again everything you've described is all down to maintenance. You must have bought it from someone who drove it hard and didn't ever maintain it. All I can say is so far my TL hasn't given me any major issues. Maintenance yes but it's kept running. I can't say the same for any of my friends driving other brands with simple components going out incessantly. Including a 4 year old nissan with catalytic converter issues, a saturn with well every motor issue known to man, a ford with fuel pump issues and more.

200,000 moving parts on average in a car. Things like this happens. If it is not worth the money sell it and find another car in better condition. It's as simple as that. One car does not represent the brand and where it's going as a whole.

If that were the case we'd never be able to get any research done in the world. 1 Sample would be enough to make a decision about everything.

 

It all depends on previous owner as well. Some said their 06 had troubles, mine was at 90k, 6 speed navi, I haven't done a piece of maintenance besides brakes and plugs, but plugs weren't even a dire issue. You can't blame Acura if you don't know every mile of history the car has before you. Things happen, a used car is a different playground.

 

I'll assume you mean you haven't had to replace many things due to wear and tear (which is what replacing brakes is). Maintenance is scheduled oil changes, filter changes, trans fluid, alignment, etc. I hope you've done some of this to your 8 y/o car.

 

Weird thread. I've had a lot of luck with Hondas. My 92 Prelude was flawless, my 04 TSX now has 160k on it.

Original clutch
Original alternator
Original starter
Original radiator
Original A/C
Tranmissions shifting great

Some little issues:
Passenger side lock actuator
Gas pedal (plastic mounting tab broke, weird)
Front bearings (expected)
RH stabilizer end link

I've maintained it best I could, without spending crazy amounts of money on things I didn't think I needed and so far it's worked out well.

Really nothing else though. Every car is different, some people have great experiences some people don't.

Sorry to the OP for having a bad experience, but all that really means is he will buy a different car next time. We'll still love our Hondas

 

I'm still on my first Acura. I bought a TSX 2006 certified renowned car in 2007. It had 24000 miles on it. Between 90 and 100,000 each of the rear wheel bearings went right before the warranty expired. And that was it. Now it's at 137,000 miles and I'm replaced the power steering pump and the neutral switch is sticking. Not bad, I'd say. And yes, I've maintained it pretty well, but I do drive it kind of hard, lots of speedy highway driving. I love this car and plan on keeping it as long as I can.

 

3-4 QTS every 3k miles. Seems like someone likes VTEC. And trying to clear a cel by disconnecting the battery and not trying to find out why it pops up. Smh. Comes to a acura site to get people to bash acura.