Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2012 Acura Tsx
The 2012 Acura TSX is generally a reliable vehicle, though it has significant issues with the steering system and airbag recalls. Electrical problems are less common but present. It's crucial to ensure these systems are functioning correctly during your inspection and test drive to avoid costly repairs.
Known issues to inspect
Passenger airbag inflator recall
How to check: Ensure recall work is completed by a dealership.
Steering issues reported
How to check: Check for ease of steering and unusual noises.
16 electrical complaints
How to check: Test all electrical components and lights.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for unusual engine noises or long cranking.
Red flag: Unusual noises persist.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check dashboard for any warning lights.
Red flag: Warning lights stay on.
- 03
City driving
What to check: Test steering responsiveness and noise.
Red flag: Steering difficult or noisy.
- 04
Highway acceleration
What to check: Monitor engine response and check for vibrations.
Red flag: Vibrations or poor engine response.
- 05
Braking
What to check: Feel for smooth braking, without pulling.
Red flag: Braking feels rough or pulls car.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the airbag recall been addressed?
- Any issues with steering recently?
- Have there been electrical repairs?
- What is the vehicle's accident history?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair confirmation
- Service records
- Accident history report
- Title and registration
Generated by gpt-4o on 8/19/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2012 Acura Tsx.