Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2013 Acura Tsx
The 2013 Acura TSX generally holds up well as a used vehicle but be aware of significant air bag recalls and numerous steering complaints. Ensure all recalls are addressed and investigate steering performance during your test drive.
Known issues to inspect
Passenger airbag inflator fault
How to check: Confirm recall repair paperwork for airbag inflator.
Steering system issues
How to check: Test steering responsiveness and check for stiffness.
Service brakes concerns
How to check: Test brake function at varied speeds.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for any unusual noises or cranking delay.
Red flag: Loud knocks or extended cranking
- 02
Initial acceleration
What to check: Feel for smooth acceleration with no jerks.
Red flag: Hesitation or jerky motion
- 03
City driving
What to check: Ensure steering feels consistent and responsive.
Red flag: Stiff or unresponsive steering
- 04
Brake test
What to check: Test brakes for smooth, quiet stopping.
Red flag: Grinding noise or weak response
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Check for seamless power delivery and stability.
Red flag: Vibrations or sluggish response
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the airbag recall been fixed?
- Are there any known steering issues?
- Have the brakes been serviced recently?
- Have there been any electrical problems?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair confirmation
- Service records
- Accident history report
Generated by gpt-4o on 8/23/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2013 Acura Tsx.