2003 Acura MDX Airbag Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  425%
• 25k–50k
  00%
• 50k–75k
  213%
• 75k–100k
  16%
• 100k–150k
  425%
• 150k+
  531%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Acura MDX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

In October of 2014 SRS light came on in my 2003 Acura md. Acura reported faulty SRS unit and replaced unit at owners expense. At same service appointment, Acura replaced air bag inflator under recall (sb 14-029) under warranty. Subsequently, another airbag recall (sb-14-023) was completed 12/9/14. SRS unit now placed on recall list by NHTSA. Owner applied to American Honda for reimbursement of costs to replace defective SRS unit (10/14) but was denied because "there was no deployment of air bag prior to the replacement" (10/14). I'm confused. This particular year/model SRS unit is being recalled/replaced due to the potential for life threatening deployment problems. In addition there were several other recalls associated with this model's airbag system clearly indicating that there were/are problems with the 2003 Acura MDX. …

I received a recall notice and made an appointment to have my vehicle repaired. Upon taking it to the dealership and them fixing it I drove home my car immediately began running hot. I called the dealership back and he told me to bring it back in. I was issued a loaner vehicle. I received a call stating that my radiator had somehow come loose and that my engine was blown. I was so upset so I called back and told him my mechanic was coming with me now all of a sudden the engine is not blown but instead warped and can be machined. I feel they damaged my vehicle by doing the recall and they don't want to take accountability for it. Please help me.

Tl contact owns a 2003 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the brake pedal was applied and traveled to the floor board as the seat belt pretensioners deployed inadvertently and fractured. Additionally, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that both drivers side and front passenger side seat belt pretensioners needed to be replaced. The contact did not disclose if the vehicle was repaired or not. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Acura MDX. While depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the air bags inadvertently deployed without warning. As a result of the air bag deployment, the contacts view of the road was obstructed, causing the contact to rear end another vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was awaiting inspection. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Acura MDX. While driving 70 MPH, a metal piece of a street sign that was lying on the ground struck the contact's vehicle. The metal bar split the control arm in two. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was not injured and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

The airbag light on my 2003 Acura MDX came on 9/1/04. Acura bedford hills looked at the car on 9/2/04 and said there was a problem with the passenger airbag sensor, it was "safe to drive", and they'd order a new part. On 9/4/04, the car became fully engulfed in flames within 5 minutes of when we started the vehicle. The fire began under the passenger seat (I was sitting on it). The car was totaled, and my insurance company has hired a fire investigator. Acura has done nothing to date.

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Acura MDX. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V344000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact heard a grinding noise emitting from the dashboard. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Acura MDX. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the front passenger side air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. In addition, the navigation system failed to function properly. The failure recurred the same day that the vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 14V349000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

I took my MDX in for recall 15-011 recall SRS unit malfunction on 1/20/2016. The vehicle was in perfect working condition when I dropped it off. When I picked the unit up 3 lights are on in the dash SRS, airbag off, airbag warning light. I ask the service writer what this is they said the new recall parts are not compatible with my system if I want it repaired it needs a new control unit $1400

After having taken the Acura to dealer 3 times for the Takata air bag recall initially all was well. Then every 3rd time I started the engine the red warning light for airbag failure would come on. Now over the last 6 months every time the engine is started the warning light comes on and stays on. Would expense to repair/replacement be covered?

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other MDX years