The Least Reliable Car I have ever owned

[Kilgore Trout]

Ha! I bet you guys were expecting another thread bashing the reliability of the E90.

Instead, I give you the reliability history on my Acura TSX, which I am about to eagerly unload to take delivery of my new E91. I am only posting this because so many posters here look at Acura/Lexus/Infiniti as the promised land as far as reliability is concerned:


HVAC completely dead at 70,000 miles. Entire system had to be replaced.

HVAC at 82,000 miles making the same odd noises it did before dying last time.

Sensor malfunction in the VSA system. Lights on dash spontaneously come on. Dealer still has not tracked the problem.

Dome light had a short and had to be rewired.

Lights on radio/nav console went dead. Entire unit had to be replaced.

Headlights developed condensation. As part of a recall, Acura added clips to keep covers tight and lock out moisture.

Speakers developed a buzzing sound. Doors had to be lined with foam by the dealer (again, part of a TSB).

Power lock switch died and had to be replaced.

Crappy Michelin OEM tires had two blowouts within in a year (and, you guys complain about RFTs! Trying living with this crap!). Replaced aftermarket, and never had a single problem again.

Brakes had multiple incidents of warping.

Discolorations on the hood of the car. Acura had to repaint the entire front end.

"TSX" decal spontaneously fell off the rear end of the car.

Engine mount broke and had to be replaced.

"Check engine" light (turned out to be a big nothing, although Acura charged me a lot to diagnose the problem).

[Bimmeration]

that's prolly because not all the parts are "really" from japan.

[noro]

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

"TSX" decal spontaneously fell off the rear end of the car.

even the badge couldn't take the car any more.

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by Bimmeration

that's prolly because not all the parts are "really" from japan.

I don't care where the parts are from! I am just tired of trips to the dealer.

[bsamoul]

When is your e91 due in?

[Bimmer Nerd]

Originally Posted by noro

even the badge couldn't take the car any more.

LMFAO, yea that was funny

[ianbiz]

I'm so glad i didnt get a tsx. they are nice cars for the money, but they lack soul and the current gen of Acuras look like crap. I still enjoy driving my mom's TL sometimes.

[Majikthese42]

Interesting.

I had a TSX, and it was the most reliable car that I ever owned.

Not my E91.

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by bsamoul

When is your e91 due in?

Should be pretty soon. BMWUSA.com shows it as "on the way to prep center." It has had that status for about two weeks now. I'm guessing it is about two weeks out.

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by Majikthese42

Interesting.

I had a TSX, and it was the most reliable car that I ever owned.

Not my E91.

How many miles did your TSX have on it when you upgraded? I ask, because mine did not start to have serious problems until shortly after the warranty expired.

[BK]

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

Brakes had multiple incidents of warping.

This has happened with all of our Hondas (warping rotors) at one time or another. Is it a Honda thing?

[Terrance28]

THe most unreliable car I have ever owned was a 95 Dodge Avenger. That car was a peice of shit, if it wasn't one thing it was something else.

[zot09]

Did you have an 04? They're notorious for having HVAC issues.

My 06 has luckily/thankfully been free of any major problems *knocks on wood*. I just have a bunch of small issues that keep pissing me off...whining noises at times when I drive >65mph, a lot of rattles, a really weak battery that kept dying randomly(I actually had it replaced under warranty today after my car died in the schools parking lot...), etc...

Anyways, enjoy your E91

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by zot09

Did you have an 04? They're notorious for having HVAC issues.

My 06 has luckily/thankfully been free of any major problems *knocks on wood*. I just have a bunch of small issues that keep pissing me off...whining noises at times when I drive >65mph, a lot of rattles, a really weak battery that kept dying randomly(I actually had it replaced under warranty today after my car died in the schools parking lot...), etc...

Anyways, enjoy your E91

If you are knocking on wood inside your TSX, just be aware it is actually fake. Knock on plood!

Yeah, an 04. The A/C in that car basically never worked right. Always made odd noises. To their credit though, Acura has been real good about working with me to try and resolve the problem. That counts for a lot.

I hope your 06 TSX gives you years of service though. Mine was probably just the first year follies.

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by BK

This has happened with all of our Hondas (warping rotors) at one time or another. Is it a Honda thing?

Yeah, I think so. Lots of Hondas have that problem.

[GnokGnik]

The TSX really deserves a v6 I think. It is pretty heavy for its class.

[wj4]

I test drove a TSX back several years ago. Only 1 dealership that was local had a white 6 speed manual. The salesman drove it off the lot to show me the 'power' and he stalled while making a left turn and the car would not start. This was at a very busy intersection too BTW, next to the freeway. He grabbed his holster only to see he forgot his cell phone at the dealership. He told me to sit tight while he ran back 1-1.5 mile to the dealership. Of course I got out and got an ice cream at a liqour store across the street and waited for the guy to come back.

Up to date, that was the biggest headache I've had trying to buy a car. This had to be in the summer of '06 or so and they wanted MSRP for the car..wanted something like $36,000 OTD. I didn't buy of course.

[Tondtar]

If you think Acura's are not reliable cars, you have never owned and driven a Fiat

Welcome to the family ...Let's hope your new ride will make up for all the heartache w/ the old one

[wj4]

Originally Posted by Tondtar

If you think Acura's are not reliable cars, you have never owned and driven a Fiat

Welcome to the family ...Let's hope your new ride will make up for all the heartache w/ the old one

I think it's really a hit or miss. I abused my '04 Accord like no other and it never gave me an issue. My mom's '07 Accord on the other hand...30ish thousand miles..3rd transmission, steering column replaced, blown shocks, etc.

[darkphantom]

my '00 accord had a transmission failure at 120k miles and I replaced the tranny only to find out there was a recall several months later!

[darkphantom]

Originally Posted by wj4

I think it's really a hit or miss. I abused my '04 Accord like no other and it never gave me an issue. My mom's '07 Accord on the other hand...30ish thousand miles..3rd transmission, steering column replaced, blown shocks, etc.

My 03 accord, abused like no other, 165k miles and strong!
LX though, and I-4

is your mom's a V6?

[bsamoul]

I think honda is better at the 4 cylinder than they are at the 6