Back to search

2009 ACURA TSX

2.4L I4•FWD•AUTOMATIC•gas
5-Year Cost of Ownership
$27,121 maintenance + known platform issues
~$5,424/yr · 450¢/mile equivalent · $5,159 maintenance + $6,262 expected platform issues
Compare this engine
vs
3.5L V6
Common Problems & Known Issues

The 2009 TSX is a solid Honda-platform sedan with the K24A2 engine, but it's plagued by a serious automatic transmission failure issue and a catastrophic engine oil consumption defect that can destroy the motor if ignored.

Automatic Transmission Failure (Judder/Shudder and Lock-Up Clutch Death)

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or juddering during light acceleration or cruising at 35-50 mph, Slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear, Delayed engagement when shifting from Park to Drive, Check Engine light with P0740 or P0730 codes
Fix: The torque converter lock-up clutch material delaminates and contaminates the valve body. Requires complete transmission rebuild or replacement (8-12 hours labor). Fluid flushes are temporary Band-Aids at best. Acura issued TSB 10-015 but never a recall.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500

Excessive Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure

Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning 1 quart or more per 1,000 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on cold start or acceleration, Fouled spark plugs (oil-soaked), Low oil warning light between oil changes, Eventually: engine knock, loss of compression
Fix: The K24A2 suffers from oil control ring land wear and ring flutter. Only real fix is engine rebuild with updated pistons and rings (20-30 hours labor) or short-block replacement. Some owners limp along adding oil religiously. Acura settled a class-action but coverage expired for most 2009s.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,000

Engine Mount Deterioration (Especially Front and Transmission Mounts)

Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking noise when accelerating from stop or shifting into Drive/Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, especially with A/C on, Engine rocks visibly when revved in Park, Steering wheel vibration during acceleration
Fix: The hydraulic front mount and rubber transmission mount wear out predictably. Replace both at once (3-4 hours labor). Aftermarket mounts are cheaper but OEM lasts longer. Do NOT ignore—broken mounts can let the engine contact the frame.
Estimated cost: $450-750

Takata Airbag Inflator (Driver and Passenger)

Common · high severity
Symptoms: Recall notice in mail (6 separate recalls for this year), SRS light may or may not illuminate, No symptoms until deployment—then metal shrapnel can kill occupants
Fix: This is a safety recall. Parts were backordered for YEARS, but most should be available now. Takes 1-2 hours per inflator. DO NOT BUY a 2009 TSX until you verify recalls are complete—check VIN at Acura dealer or NHTSA site. Free fix at dealer.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall)

Power Steering Pump Failure

Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining or groaning noise when turning, especially when cold, Steering feels heavy or stiff at low speeds, Power steering fluid leak from pump or high-pressure line, Squealing on startup
Fix: The pump seals leak and the bearing wears. Replace pump and flush system (2-3 hours labor). Check the high-pressure line while you're in there—it cracks at the crimp and sprays fluid on the exhaust. OEM pump is pricey but remanufactured units fail quickly.
Estimated cost: $400-650

VTC Actuator (Variable Valve Timing) Rattle

Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Loud rattling or knocking for 1-3 seconds on cold start, Check Engine light with P0341 (VTC system fault), Rough idle when engine is cold, Noise disappears once oil pressure builds
Fix: The cam phaser actuator fails due to oil sludge or worn screen. Replace VTC actuator and oil control valve, change oil and filter (3-4 hours labor). Use Honda 0W-20 only and change it every 5k miles religiously to prevent recurrence. Not a breakdown risk but annoying and embarrassing.
Estimated cost: $500-800
Owner tips
  • Check oil level every other fill-up once past 80k miles—do NOT trust the oil life monitor on these.
  • Use only Honda/Acura ATF-Z1 fluid in the automatic transmission; other fluids accelerate the shudder issue.
  • Verify Takata airbag recalls completed before purchase—walk away if seller doesn't have documentation.
  • Change engine oil every 5,000 miles with Honda 0W-20 to extend engine life; the 10k interval in the manual is fantasy on these.
  • Test-drive in stop-and-go traffic and at 40 mph cruise to feel for transmission shudder before buying.
Great handling and reliability IF you get one with the manual transmission and no oil consumption—otherwise the automatic trans and engine issues make it a $4,000 time bomb at typical used-car mileage.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
473 jobs across 15 categories
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.
Get an API key →
Run a shop?
Manage repairs, estimates, and customers with ShopBase — $249/mo, all features included. Built by the same team.
Try ShopBase →