1. The rack and pinion steering rack is leaking power steering hydraulic fluid. The power assist is not working and the vehicle is undrivable. Putting in new fluid does not help as it just drains out from he pinion within half a day. 2. Luckily, the seals on the rack and pinion failed in the community as low speeds and power steering was lost. Drove back home. No one was hurt. Afraid to think of what would have happened if this had occurred at highway speeds. 3. Not yet confirmed by dealer as car needs towing, which costs money as closest dealer is quiet far away. But many reports of similar incidents across online communities for this vehicle, where folks had to shell out thousands to replace the entire rack and pinion system. The seals are sealed inside and cannot be serviced. 4. Component has not been removed from the car yet or inspected by anyone. Yet to be removed for replacement 5. There were no warning lights, sounds or indications of any kind. No warning of loss of hydraulic pressure or air in system. Just a weird whining noise began when negotiating a slow speed turn and within a minute, all fluid drained and all power assist was lost.
The worst 2008 Acura TSX problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering17
- Brakes7
- Electrical4
- Body3
- Tires3
- Airbags2
- Engine2
- Driver assistance1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Acura TSX
Recalls 2
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Acura TSX vehicles originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In states that use corrosive materials for deicing, driver's footwear may bring in materials that saturate the vehicle's carpeting, which is in contact with the vehicle's engine Electronic Control Unit (ECU). As a result, the ECU case may experience rust or corrosion. This damage may potentially cause the engine to stall.
- Risk
- A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners and Acura dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any damaged ECU, free of charge. All vehicles will have a waterproof cover installed onto the ECU, free of charge. The recall began during April 2013. Owners may contact Acura Client Relations at 1‑800‑382‑2238 and select option 4 or go to www.recalls.acura.com.
Recall number 13V093000 · Recall details
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2004 through 2008 acura tsx passenger vehicles manufactured between september 25, 2002 and february 13, 2008. Prolonged high under hood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely and may cause the hose to crack and leak power steering oil.
- Risk
- Oil leaking onto a hot exhaust pipe will generate smoke and a burning smell, and could potentially result in an under hood fire.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began may 28, 2010. Owners may contact acura client services at 1‑800‑382‑2238.
Recall number 10V174000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Acura TSX 27
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Service News
- ServiceNews Article
- This SKU is a Front Upper Ball Joint
- American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on the Piston Rings and Pistons for 2009-11 TSX L4 to 8...
- Servicenews article
- There are specific leak dye kits for the R-134a and R-1234yf A/C systems; make sure you use the correct...
- Tech line summary article
- Dealer message
- Navigation system information.
- Special Tool Loan Program: Under TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR LOAN, the list has been updated.
2008 Acura TSX fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-20 | 28 | 22-23 |
What 2008 Acura TSX owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2008 Acura TSX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to complete a turn, an abnormal amount of effort was needed to turn the steering wheel. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the power steering fluid was abnormally low. Upon refilling the power steering fluid reservoir, the contact observed a leak in the power steering hose. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,231.
Car last year began randomly displaying VSA code during inclement weather. Took vehicle for diagnostic and report showed APS sensor issues. Replaced acceleration pedal. Car then lost power steering. Replaced pump. Can began having loss of power while using cruise control and steering would stiffen. Yet, only during inclement weather while driving. The Engine light with emmisions control warning would display and the clear on its on usually over night. Code diagnostics found possible 02 sensor or catalytic converter issues. Roughly six months later car cut off and wouldn't start replaced rack and pinion during to link at main connection. Car began having starting issues still then not holding charge replace battery twice due to B/S/A reporting pass. About 3 months ago car wouldn't turn over starter was faulty replaced starter. Replaced starter however igintion strained to turn over. To start it began requiring turning car to on then off and immediately to run. Began requesting jump starts. Ran diagnosis at advance auto showed battery issues, starter good and alternator good. Replaced battery and 02 sensor. Can Three weeks wouldn't start after driving to the gas station attempted to jump vehicle but didn't work. Called roadside service; however when service arrived vehicle started with no assistance. Took car for diagnosis test and code displayed ecm issues. Car again after cutting vehicle on and attempting to start car up vehicle wouldn't turn over. Attempted to jump start vehicle and still no crank. Left car and returned 2 hours later and was able to jump start vehicle. Acura website I'd showing decals for emc and power steering recalls on 08 tsx non vin specific search however my specific vin isnt included. How do I register my vin for similar recall issues.
While driving I noticed my car completely lost all of its power steering in one shot without warning. This leads to very stiff driving experience and when I brought it too the mechanic he said it would be a substantial amount of money to fix, because of this I googled and noticed many other acura tsx's have this issue. I applied power steering fluid in hope of that helping out but it just leaked out.
While driving the car on the highway, it became increasingly hard to steer. By the time I got home the steering wheel couldn't be turned. Had it taken to the dealer where it was noted that the power steering was completely inoperable, the rack and pinion was leaking and the power steering pump was leaking. Dealer said that my VIN hadn't been affected by the previous power steering hose recall. It cost $1500 for the repair and it seems a little fishy to me that so many tsx drivers are reporting the same issue.
Day 1-2 of this issue: squeaky sound with steering, short drives of a few mins each- (with my child in the car). Parked car in garage. Day 3: could not get vehicle out of the garage as the steering was extremely hard, harder to left than right. No fluid found on garage floor. Had vehicle towed to dealership to diagnose. I was told it was the power steering rack but was not told exactly how it was failing but he did mention he sees this 'a lot'. Car was purchased and driven in maryland/dc/n. Va (unsure if car was properly treated against the substance to melt ice). I'm glad this did not happen while driving with my child but if indeed a faulty mechanism, why isn't acura recalling?
My brakes have been defective since I bought the car 4 years ago. If you brake suddenly the car does not stop. If you hit a pothole there is a distinct slipping feeling in the brakes. I have to slow down ahead of time or gently pump the brakes to stop the car. I have taken the car to acura and to my mechanic who is a certified honda mechanic. They all said the brakes were fine. Each time I take my car in for service I ask them to check my brakes. They even replaced the brakes, but the problem still happened. On 1/31/19, traffic stopped suddenly in front of me on the freeway and I hit my brakes and the car did not stop, causing me to slam into the car in front of me, and that driver said I pushed her into the car in front of her. Thank god I escaped with only bruised ribs and a sprained thumb. And thank god no one else was injured. My car was totaled. The airbag deployed. It was terrifying.
I noticed that the vehicle began making a grinding noise, at approximately 120 000 miles as read by the odometer, when making turns and slips. The driver side pinion boot is leaking and a grinding noise can be heard from the the rack and pinion when turning the wheel with the car on jack stands.
Takata inflator, have the warning light on and we drive scared and we pay some money for fixing but no results.
My car has been stalling during various speeds which almost caused an accident on several occasion. After stalling, I am able to start the car without any issues but will constantly stall on the go. There is currently a recall (the federal safety agency # 13v‑093) on the vehicle's ecu for the eastern u.s. Due to corrosion. My car is currently in guam which could highly have the same result as this recall due to salt water corrosion. Please look into this matter and possibly extend the recall to other parts of the state and territories within the coastal areas.
Compare the 2008 Acura TSX
Other model years
Questions about the 2008 Acura TSX
Is the 2008 Acura TSX reliable?
Owners have filed 34 complaints about the 2008 Acura TSX, fewer than a typical TSX model year.
What is the 2008 Acura TSX year score?
The 2008 Acura TSX scores 80 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Acura TSX: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Acura TSX?
Steering, with 17 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles. Next is brakes (7).
How many recalls does the 2008 Acura TSX have?
2 recalls, covering electrical system and steering.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Acura TSX steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 10V174000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Acura TSX have bad steering?
The Acura TSX model years with the most steering complaints are 2012 (100 complaints), 2006 (24 complaints) and 2013 (19 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Acura TSX get?
Official estimates for the 2008 Acura TSX range from 22 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-20 city and 28 highway.
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