Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Acura TL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving under 10 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. During the crash the front driver's and front passenger's side air bags deployed. During the air bags deployment, the driver sustained a left-hand injury that later required medical treatment. The contact stated that prior to the crash, the SRS warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that due to the low-speed crash, the air bags should not have deployed. The failure mileage was 167,000.
The "SRS" dashboard red light illuminated and stays on. On May 19, 2029 Acura "Replaced Driver S/B." Acura Dealer and Manufacturer are both telling me that my "Inflator" and "Airbag Module" is not covered again since there has been no recall by Acura or NHTSA. Please advise me as to warranty a second time at no cost to me?
Takata recall I was in a car accident in June of 2014. I was pulling away from a stop sign. As I was driving a suburban (believe) turned in front of me. Tried to get out of the way but didn't quite make it. I hit the side or back of his vehicle . I felt like I hit a brick wall with my face. That was my face hitting the air bag.I was on the service road leaving the mall. I don't think the date I wrote in on this form is correct. I'm not sure of the day.
We got an April 2019 letter for an important safety recall which came too late! My car was totaled in a accident in which both airbags deployed. It did cause hurtful pressure on my grandson's chest with an emergency bill over $500 and 2 days of losses wages. OK for which we had no compensation. Car was in motion on highway street in which the other party was ticketed on an illegal u turn.
TL* the contact owns a 2002 Acura TL. The contact stated that the air bag indicator kept illuminating. Flow Acura (425 silas creek pkwy, winston-salem, nc 27127, [phone]) initially diagnosed that the wires were malfunctioning. After a test was performed, the indicator remained off for approximately one month. When the air bag indicator illuminated again, the contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who advised her to take it back to the dealer because it was still covered under warranty. Another Acura dealer (crown Acura, 3908 w wendover ave, greensboro, nc 27407) changed the seat belt buckle, but the failure recurred. The second dealer had to order another part and repaired the vehicle again, but the failure recurred approximately six months later. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 65,000. Consumer stated SRS light keeps coming on. …
TL contact owns a 2002 Acura TL. While driving 45 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck head-on by another vehicle, causing a 120 degree crash. The driver's side air bag failed to deploy. The contact sustained neck injuries and underwent physical therapy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was inspected by an insurance adjuster, who was unable to determine why the air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was totaled. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 60,364. Updated 08/20/09. Updated 08/20/09.
TL* the contact owns a 2002 Acura TL. While driving 65 MPH, the air bag deployed when the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. There were no injuries. The contact continued to drive the vehicle to her residence. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V499000 (air bags). The contact called crown Acura (located at 18911 us hwy 19 n, clearwater, fl 33764, [phone]) and notified them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.
TL* the contact owns a 2002 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the driver crashed into another vehicle. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact also stated that the passenger side seat belt unbuckled. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 11V260000 (air bags). The contact was unsure of any injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 65,000. The VIN was not available.
Allege that vehicle airbag deployed causing the driver to be unable to control vehicle and/or including possible acceleration leading to a collision and/or seat belt restraint system. Received two recall notices and/or possible more than two. SRS light appeared to be activated prior to the incident. ( facts: power inverter connected, other mobile electronics powered by vehicle's dc power supply, both driver and airbag were deployed, new car mount installation on passenger seat frame bolts)
TL* the contact owns a 2002 Acura TL. The contact stated while waiting at a toll booth her foot slipped off of the brake pedal and crashed into the vehicle in front of her. Upon impact, the air bags deployed with minimal force. The police were notified and a police report was filed. The vehicle was not inspected nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages was approximately 229,000.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011…
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
NHTSA investigations
Rupturing driver's air bag inflators
This RQ investigation was opened to collect and analyze additional information to better evaluate the scope and timeliness of Honda's two safety recalls addressing rupturing of the driver's side air bag inflators (08V-593 and 09V-259).In an earlier response to RMD's request for information, Honda indicated that the second recall (09V-259), essentially an expansion of the first (08V-593), was necessary since later…
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
Airbag complaints in other TL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Acura TL?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Acura TL, 13% of the model year's 333 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › sensor/control module (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Acura TL airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-499 (inflator module, Jun 27, 2019); NHTSA recall 19V-182 (inflator module, Mar 6, 2019); NHTSA recall 15V-320 (inflator module, May 28, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Acura TL airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.