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 2006 Acura TL owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was an abnormal sputtering sound coming from the vehicle. The "VSA" (Vehicle Stability Assist) and air bag warning lights illuminated, and an unknown message was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and waited to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact went to Auto Zone and was informed that the accelerator pedal sensor had failed. The contact replaced the sensor. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. …
My Acura (VIN: [redacted] ) experienced a non-collision spontaneous deployment of the side airbag while the vehicle was completely stationary. There was no impact, no crash, and no triggering event. This is a serious safety defect that could have caused significant injury or loss of vehicle control had the car been in motion. This vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Recall 19V182000 involving Takata airbag inflators, but the recall repair was never completed, and the recall now shows as closed. It is unclear whether the recall was closed in error or whether the inflator or a related airbag component failed due to the unresolved safety defect. There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to the deployment. The airbag system gave no indication of a problem. The deployed components remain in the vehicle and are available for inspection. …
I have owned this vehicle for about 9 years and been seeing major cracks in the IP trim, around passenger airbag area. The cracks started to develop about 5 years ago. They were insignificant in the beginning but have accelerated very quickly over the past year or so and seem to be getting worse by the month. I am concerned that these cracks would result in malfunctioning of passenger side airbag in an accident. I purchased this vehicle used and there has not been an accident since I have owned it.
Dashboard cracked. Internet search revels this is a Acura TL fleet wide issue. Cracked dashboard may rip airbag during deployment rendering it useless, impede airbag deployment, or send shards of plastic during airbag deployment.
Dashboard developed a large crack that aligns with the left side of the passenger airbag compartment while parked. Concerned with the integrity of the dash and safety of the airbag system. The crack allows moisture into the airbag module which can create the risk of a faulty airbag deployment or failing to deploy which can lead to severe injury or death. My passengers regularly include my husband and young son that sits behind passenger seat. Through online research, this material defect affects Acura TL and TL type s from 2004-2008, and several forums including https://www.facebook.com/acuratldefectivedash/ shows other owners with the same exact issue. After investigating, this crack cannot be repaired, and total dash replacement is the only safe alternative. …
I have a 2006 Acura TL and just recently a large crack appeared in the dash above the passenger side airbag. I was not driving at the time and I have not been in any type of accident for this to happen. I went out to my car one day a there it was, a large crack right above the glove box to the windshield. It has gotten bigger since I first saw it in October 2015. I can see the white of the airbag through the crack in the dash. My safety concern is if I were to get in an accident with someone on the passenger seat, will the airbag deploy correctly. Not only is this a safety concern in my eyes, but there are hundreds of other people with the same problem on their 2004-2006 TL's. There is a facebook page that has started because of the amount of claims. I also have to complain that now there is damage to the interior of my car, I have lost value in my car. …
I have been having a battery drain problem. I charge the battery and it drains overnight. Battery was check out to be OK. This is the second battery that I bought in two years. I also bought a portable starter so as not to be stranded. Finally the Bluetooth fuse was removed and draining stopped for about six weeks. I am noticing that the car when started in the morning is beginning to sound like the problem May be occurring again. Now the second issue is that the passenger dashboard side is cracked. I feared that the airbag would eventually deploy therefore I took it to the dealer. They assured me that it was safe and wrote on the paperwork I received that it was safe. On hot days, the split on both sides of the airbag are much wider and I can now see the shape of the hinge or bolt that keeps it together. Driving with this situation is very unnerving. Acura needs to remedy this issue. …
Dash developed dual cracks that align with airbag compartment and wide enough to visually see the airbag framing components. Concerned with the integrity of the dash and safety of airbag system, potential for deploying and harming passengers including my teenage children. After investigating, these cracks cannot be repaired and total dash replacement is the only safe alternative. Cracks developed on their own and steadily lengthened to outline both sides of the airbag compartment. Mt Acura is a one owner, never been wrecked, garage kept excellent condition with all maintenance records for the past 10 years. I am not looking for anything further that a replacement dash to be installed by manufacturer at this time due to my major concern for any passengers safety. Airbags are very dangerous and can cause serious injury so no need to have a an exposed airbag safety issue unattended. …
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 MPH on a rural road after a right turn, the front wheel hit a pot hole, the driver side air bag deployed and the seat belt became stocked. The vehicle remained inoperable due to a vehicle safety feature. No warning light were illuminated prior the incident. A police report was taken. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership who determined the pot hole impact deployed the side air bag and also stocked the seat belt buckle. The whole incident was determined as an accident by the dealership as well by the manufacturer representative in puerto rico. The consumer protection agency and the insurance company also determined the incident as an accident. The contact expressed concern because the air bag deployment was not a consequence of body impact.
Dashboard began to crack around the passenger dash airbag hole. This is a known manufacturer defect. This should be a safety concern as it relates to the proper deployment of the airbag in emergency situations. Airbags are intended to be deployed through the dashboard port. That port is designed to be the path of least resistance for the airbag. Deployment of the airbag in an unempeded path is important when a successful deployment is required. The cracks in the dashboard May result in an airbag deployment deflection away from the occupant within the milliseconds required to deploy and that which maybe necessary to prevent unnecessary injury to the occupant. The cracks May also result in flying debris that could injure the occupant upon airbag deployment.
Related recalls
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
On certain passenger vehicles, on the frontal airbag system where the two external impact sensors is mounted, near the front headlights the front impact sensor bolts were not properly torqued.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and remove the bumper and retorque the loose bolts. The recall began on November 7, 2005. Owners May contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 and Acura at 1-800-382-2238.
Airbag complaints in other TL years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 Acura TL?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Acura TL, 34% of the model year's 247 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Acura TL airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-182 (inflator module, Mar 6, 2019); NHTSA recall 05V-510 (frontal, Nov 3, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Acura TL airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 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.