About the Acura TSX
Buyers shopping for a used Acura TSX, sold in the US from 2004 to 2014, should expect elevated rates of odometer discrepancies and rebuilt titles due to the model's age and appeal as affordable entry-level luxury. Many surviving units originated as lease returns with incomplete service documentation, and undisclosed prior accidents are common findings when running a VIN check on higher-mileage examples.
A VIN number lookup on this Acura TSX includes real high-resolution auction photos sourced directly from Copart and IAAI, the largest salvage auction operators in the United States.
What a Acura TSX VIN Check Reveals
A VIN number check on any Acura TSX pulls records from state DMV offices, NHTSA databases, insurance industry filings, and salvage auction records across all 50 states. The report covers the following data categories:
- Accident and collision history
- Full odometer timeline
- Open safety recalls from NHTSA
- Title brands (salvage, flood, lemon law, total loss)
- Theft and recovery records
- Lien and ownership history
- Structural and frame damage
- Airbag deployment records
- State inspection history
- Prior vehicle use (fleet, rental, taxi, auction)
Acura TSX VIN Number Location
Where to find the VIN on a TSX
The TSX was discontinued after 2014, making current used examples over ten years old. The VIN sits on a plate at the base of the driver's side windshield, with a door jamb sticker and trunk lid label as secondary locations. Some late-generation TSX Sport Wagon variants carry a cargo area label in addition to the standard locations. Rust and structural claims are increasingly common in VIN reports on TSX inventory from northern states.
The VIN also appears on the vehicle registration, insurance documents, and title. All locations should match. A mismatch between VIN plates is a potential indicator of a rebuilt or salvage vehicle.
Common Issues Found in VIN Reports for the Acura TSX
VIN history reports on used Acura TSX vehicles frequently show accident and collision claims, title discrepancies, and odometer irregularities. Any open NHTSA recall notices tied to the specific VIN will appear in the report, along with the recall completion status where that data is available.
Acura vehicles carrying a VIN prefix of 19U (cars OH/US); 5J8 (MDX Alabama); JH4 (Japan) are traceable through all 50 state DMV systems and the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). Coverage for vehicles registered after 1990 is generally comprehensive.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
Acura TSX — last 3 model years
What TSX owners report across recent generations
2009–2014 (2nd generation)
The 2012 draws the most complaints, and most NHTSA owners of that year describe the electric power steering suddenly failing with a warning light, leaving the wheel very heavy until a restart. CarComplaints lists excessive oil consumption, power steering failure and early brake wear for 2009, oil consumption and worn rear brakes for 2010, and power steering, transmission and engine computer failure for 2012. Acura ended the TSX after 2014. Recalls cover passenger air bag inflators on 2009–2014 models. [1] [2] [3] [4]
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup and confirm the passenger air bag inflator recall was completed. Ask whether the power steering control module has been replaced. Check the oil level for signs of consumption. On the drive, watch for a power steering warning, turn the wheel at low speed and check the brakes for wear.
- NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2012 Acura TSX
- CarComplaints.com, 2012 Acura TSX problems
- CarComplaints.com, 2009 Acura TSX problems
- CarComplaints.com, 2010 Acura TSX problems
Updated September 25, 2026 · Summarized in our own words by VinNumber.net from public owner reports; individual experiences vary.