Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 TSX.
The 2012 Acura TSX is a passenger car that carries forward the model's established formula, requiring 4.2 quarts of 0W-20 API-rated engine oil for maintenance. In terms of reliability, the 2012 model recorded 132 owner complaints with steering issues surfacing as the most frequently cited concern, alongside six total recalls issued for the model year. Positioned within Acura's broader TSX complaint trajectory spanning 2004 to 2014, the 2012 sits between the model's peak complaint period in 2004 (142 complaints) and its lowest point in 2014 (7 complaints), suggesting a middle-period position in the nameplate's quality evolution that reflects neither the early troubles nor the later improvements.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 186.2 in |
| Overall width | 72.4 in |
| Overall height | 56.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in |
| Curb weight | 3406 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 62.2 / 62.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 60/40 |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the TSX of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | V6 Technology Package Sedan 3.5L V6 | 6.00 sec | 14.50 sec | 280 hp | FWD |
| 2012 | Special Edition Sedan 2.4L I-4 | 7.00 sec | 15.40 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2011 | Technology Package Sport Wagon 2.4L I-4 | 8.10 sec | 16.40 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2011 | Technology Package Sport Wagon 2.4L I-4 | 8.20 sec | 16.40 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2011 | Technology Package Sport Wagon 2.4L I-4 | 8.30 sec | 16.40 sec | 201 hp | FWD |
| 2010 | V6 Technology Package Sedan 3.5L V6 | 5.90 sec | 14.50 sec | 280 hp | FWD |
| 2010 | V6 Technology Package Sedan 3.5L V6 | 6.00 sec | 14.60 sec | 280 hp | FWD |
| 2010 | V6 Technology Package Sedan 3.5L V6 | 6.10 sec | 14.70 sec | 280 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.2 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.6 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.2 qt |
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 · API |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 36 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 54, MT: 76 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 54 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | in three steps: 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 242 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-4-2-5-3-6 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | AT: 800, MT: 750 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 680 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | NGK |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.039-0.043 in |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.00-1.10 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 2.50-3.00 oz |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 0.99-1.10 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum) | 48.0-55.0 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 57.0 |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 37 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.063; Rear: 0.039 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.098 in |
| 1 | 30 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 | 30 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 47 ft. lbs, step 2: 60 | 47 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Across this generation, federal complaints trended downward from a 2004 high of 142 to a low of 22 in 2007, then rose again to 91 in 2009 before falling to 45 by 2011. The 2012 model breaks that downward pattern: complaints jump to 132, the second-highest in the record and nearly triple the 2011 count of 45, while recalls hold at 6 and TSBs drop to 30, the lowest since 2008. Steering dominates the 2012 docket with 84 complaints, followed by 11 for steering/electrical system, 7 for service brakes, and 5 for air bags; crash-related complaints total 4 and fire complaints are 0. This concentration suggests the 2012 TSX carries a model-year-specific steering complaint burden that the data does not attribute to a specific root cause. Given the spike in complaints and the single investigation, 2012 is not the cleanest year in this generation to buy; a 2011 or 2013 example shows materially lower complaint volume, so choose 2012 only if a thorough steering and electrical service history checks out.
All 132 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Acura TSX, 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagon, 2010-2013 ZDX, 2008-2012 Honda Accord, 2010-2011 Accord Crosstour, 2006-2011 Civic and Civic Hybrid, 2008-2010 Civic… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Showing 5 of 30 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPaS02262021905 | 2021-02-26 | Service Brakes | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014… |
| BPaS02102021903 | 2021-02-10 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014… |
| BPaS01222021905 | 2021-01-22 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014… |
| BPaS01062021905 | 2021-01-06 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014… |
| BPaS12102020 | 2020-12-10 | Service Brakes | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2009-2014… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.2 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.