For the past five years, annual sales for Acura have typically hovered around 160,000 units. Considered to be the luxury division of Honda Motors, Acura came onto the scene in 1986. They introduced the Acura TSX in 2003, and the four-door, entry-level sedan was produced until 2014.

There are still some older model Acura TSX vehicles on the road today that are standing the test of time, but the 2009 model year seems to be the one to avoid. It’s the TSX that owners complain about the most.

Most common complaints about the 2009 Acura TSX

The most common complaint is problems with the engine. Owners report excessive oil consumption starting at around 80,000 miles. The constant need for oil seems to have led to the next complaint, which owners describe as an engine rattle.

When cold starting the engine, a knocking sound is heard, and the “Check Emissions” light and VSA indicator turns on. Owners say they learned from their repair shop that the VTC actuator is bad and needs to be replaced. This can lead to valve timing issues and most likely result in a timing chain replacement as well.

The No. 1 problem of the Acura TSX

The biggest problem with the 2009 Acura TSX also appears to be one of the most expensive problems to fix. Excessive oil consumption is an all too frequent problem. If you are lucky and haven’t hit 150,000 miles yet, Acura may cover the repair cost.

Some owners report the car still being covered under an extended warranty with Acura standing by their product to fix the issue. Other owners report having to pay for the annoyingly expensive repair out-of-pocket. Be sure to check with the repair shop and Acura customer service before authorizing service. The repair process will include replacing the pistons and rings and possibly the engine block.

Acura TSX owners reported the “Check Oil” indicator light frequently coming on between regularly scheduled oil changes. Frustrated owners have been told by repair shops that the oil consumption is normal, leading them to constantly have to add oil to their vehicles. The Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that was issued suggested that carbon builds up on the pistons, causing them to get stuck and letting oil escape into the combustion chamber. If not covered by warranty, repair costs are averaging $3,500 to $5,000 for this long-known issue.

Interior problems with the 2009 Acura TSX

Other complaints include problems with interior accessories. While not as big a deal as engine concerns, the issues are still frustrating for Acura TSX owners. They report that the electric door locks malfunctioning is a common occurrence.

Problems with cup holders not closing, dashboard lights blinking at random, seat cushions exhibiting signs of excessive wear and tear, and stereo speakers not properly working are all common complaints.

Problems with brakes

Owners of the 2009 Acura TSX also report problems with premature brake wear. It’s common for the brake pedal to go all the way to the floor, and there have been several recalls to address this exact issue. Owners report hearing squeaking noises when pushing the brakes and feeling pulsing and vibration while driving.

It appears warped rotors have led to excessive wear, both on the brake pads and in some cases the tires. Owners were annoyed to find out that this is a common problem with this model of the TSX.

Is the 2009 Acura TSX worth buying?

There seems to be a lot of complaints regarding the 2009 Acura TSX, some minor and some pretty costly. Considering the availability of quality used cars on the market today, it’s probably wise to avoid this particular model.