REVscene Automotive Forum - 2004 Acura TSX

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So I'm looking for a boring 4 door sedan ...

Seriously though. Years ago I told my Grandma I would like first dibs if she ever wants to trade in her car, or sell it. Well that day has come. As boring as it is, it's in like new condition with a mere 60,000km. Always serviced at proper intervals with Acura.

Besides being a hum dum Honda, what will I be getting myself into? Common issues? I remember reading people having issues with the automatic transmissions. Is that only V6 models?

This should give me a reliable DD so I can focus my money on more interesting projects.

2004 never came with the v6, the transmission could still be a potential problem but not as common.

TSX of that year is pretty solid machines the k series engine is bullet proof so not much to worry about there.

It's a 4 banger for sure. I was just curious if the auto transmissions are an issue across the board. Thanks for the reply

I have heard nothing but problems with Honda autos, hopefully 4 cylinders aren't stressing the trannies too much

solid cars. no brainer man. 60k kms only :fuckthatshit:

I probably mentioned this before numerous times, to help prolong the life of the v6 tranny, get a tranny cooler.
Got mine with my supercharger...felt a good difference and just overall smoother shift.

Few brands like B&M, comptech, just check lordco too...few other brands I may forget...

What is the weak spot of the Honda autos?

MY 2004 Acura TSX is made in Japan.
Solid like a rock. Honda Reliablity.
It has no relation with V6 Automatic transmission problem period.

A bit under power and gas milage isn't the best as the car is very heavy.
Common problem:
- Head unit light burn out
- door lock actuator

Regular Maintenance. That's about it.
I still own MY2004 since purchased new in Year2004

Buy it. It won't fail you and parts are cheap anyways.

Change the tranny and brake fluid, put a TL Type-S sway bar on it and you're good to go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by multicartual (Post 8560779)

What is the weak spot of the Honda autos?

From another thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyBishop (Post 7747862)

Honda's automatic transmissions for the V6s are notorious for these problems. Odysseys, Accords, CLs, and TLs from ~1999 to ~2006 had these problems. It's got to do with overheating of the third gear clutch pack.

My 2002 CL has a problem with it also. Once in a while, after the transmission has warmed up, it just won't hold on to gear 3. I slip it into the SportShift and pop it up into fourth and I'm good for the rest of the day.

Warranties were extended to 7 years after the date of purchase or 160,000 km for the TLs and CLs up to 2003. Some people have had luck going straight to Honda Canada and complaining even after their warranty had expired.

Local transmission shops have their own ways of fixing this; Richmond Acura sent their customers' transmissions to this guy by River Rock. I spoke with him and he replaces the crappy internals that give out with more durable ones, among other modifications in his rebuild. I think his cost came to $2000. I haven't gone ahead with it yet.

I was reading on Acurazine a while back and found a few threads of guys who swapped in 04-06 Odyssey and TL (non Type-S) transmissions. (Half of the 07 TLs produced got a complete make-over of the tranny so they're hit and miss for swaps. The bell housing bolt pattern is what differs.) They aren't a direct swap and thus require some parts to swap over from your old tranny including the range switch and the filter housing, and also some holes need to be tapped into the housing. Custom work for someone who knows what s/he's doing.

I'm going to try my luck with contacting Honda Canada... my dad used to work for them. If not, I'll be going to that guy near River Rock. I'll post his info here later.

^ but how does it perform offroad?

:troll:

^ she is designed to make it over driveways and slopes :fullofwin: haha

They are pretty solid cars with a reliable powertrain. Buy it for sure. It would make a great DD.

I owned a 2004 TSX since brand new and these are the problems I experienced. I also follow the manufacturer maintenance schedule to the dot.
- automatic transmission was replaced at 87,000 kms (cost me around $800 dollars in labour charge to replace at the dealership but they paid for the $4000 dollars in transmission parts as I bring my car in regularly)
- door actuator broke down (around $367 dollar job to fix at the dealership)
- head unit lights and seat heater lights burnt out
- rpm & engine temperature gauge died ($1150 to replace the cluster plus a $150 diagnostic fee from Acura)

I don't like that post ^

dude, take it! no questions!!!

I have 230 000 kms on mine and its still running strong!

only v6 autos are prone to tranny failure
that said use only Honda ATF just to be safe

does it have a turbo?

most i have seen is door lock actuators failing but other than that it's a pretty solid car

Didnt you just revive a datsun , pretty sure you would just DIY the tsx if any problems come about.

I got a 2005. As with others above, had to replace a door actuator. Other than that the car has been solid with regular maintenance. I haven't experienced any weird issues with my auto transmission. Owned the car from 48000km and now at 100000km. Only gripe is I feel like the car isn't too good on gas. I have used Fuelly to measure the fuel consumption and I average 10.1L/100km 70% city. Hope this helps

Quote:

Originally Posted by knight604 (Post 8561105)

Didnt you just revive a datsun , pretty sure you would just DIY the tsx if any problems come about.

You must have missed the post where I failed miserably changing the starter on my 3 series and had it towed to a shop where they proceeded to rape me inside and out. Ha.

The point is I don't want to fix things unless it's fun. Having to fix things blows monkey balls. Wanting to work on a car is different all together. Oh and my rental garage won't be available forever. Ha.

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm going to ignore probably the most useful post in the topic with the guy with the exact car with all the issues and probably go for it. 60k, what could go wrong :p

I should also state, she was recently having door lock issues, so i'd assume the door actuator issue has already been dealt with.

I've got a 2005 with over 200km. I've replaced the alternator, serpentine belt, acuators. The transmission is as smooth as the day I bought it. It probably helps that I service the transmission every other year. I've replaced all the suspension components in the front. I took my car camping all the time so the logging roads did a number on the suspension. The CD changer stopped working years ago, but I never used it anyways since installing aux input. The climate control LEDs no longer work, so at night you can't see what you're pressing. After all that I would definitely buy another one. They're incredibly easy to work on. The actuators were like 30 bucks each and it took me less than an hour to do it.