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 2004 Acura TSX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall upon getting in the vehicle I simply sat in the driver seat, and closed the door. As soon as the door shut closed, the driver side curtain air bag deployed hitting me in the head neck and shoulder area. Triggering me to have muscle spasms in my back, severe head ache, and to be disoriented after being struck so abruptly and with out warning. The vehicle was still parked, I had not even had an opportunity to put the keys in the ignition. The car has not been in an accident, there was no damage to the vehicle, ir any reason for the airbag to deploy. I took the car to the dealership to have this manufacturer deffect fixed. At the dealer I was told that they will not cover it as a manufacturer deffect, and will cost me $3100.00 to fix. …
My 2004 Acura TSX and I were involved in a front collision (the front of my car hit the rear end of a car in front of me. The front left side of my TSX struck the right rear side of a late model Chevy impala. The impact set off my passenger side airbag, but not my driver side airbag. I was driving and struck my head on the steering wheel of my TSX. The seat belt did not catch me and airbag did not deploy. I sustained a concussion from the incident and feel that my airbag should deploy. Every auto expert, including my Acura dealer, said my airbag should have deployed or my seat belt should have caught me. Acura (the corporation) refuses to even investigate the matter, saying that the car performed as it should have. I don't believe this is true at all.
The airbag or SRS light is constantly on indicating that it will not deploy in an accident. This happens after starting the engine. The reason appears to be a failed electrical component in the seat belt buckle. This is a major safety issue that is and has been faced by a lot of TSX owners. Contacted Acura but they will not cover anything, either to replace the component or even to diagnose the exact issue. Their position is: seat belts still work and so it is not a defect. Note that the airbags still won't deploy with this parts defect. The dealer concurs with Acura. Since this is a known and widespread reported safety issue, Acura should be asked to issue a recall.
I was on a head on collision in my 2004 Acura TSX and the driver side airbag did not go off. I (the driver) was the only person in the car. Somehow the passenger side airbag deployed but not the driver side airbag, the reason for concern are two, first with not enough weight on the passenger seat, the airbag should not have gone off, (what if there was a small child seating there), and also the driver side airbag should have gone off. Also the driver side seatbelt did not protect me and it failed to provide any restraint and now is broken.
Rear ended another vehicle at 25 MPH and my passenger airbag deployed without anyone being in the passenger seat. My airbag didn't deploy. I suffered a whiplash as a result. The collision was head on and I feel my airbag should have deployed. Acura says the car behaved the way it should have, but I feel that explanation is insufficient. I have spoken to experts in the area as well and they feel like me that the airbag should have deployed. It is my firm belief that this vehicle is defective.
2004 Acura TSX: I sat in my car idle for about 15 minutes to eat. When I put my car in reverse to back out of a parking spot, the passenger side curtain and seat airbags suddenly deployed. Within 5 seconds the driver side deployed. These created the loudest noise I have ever heard in my entire life. I quickly put the car back in park and jumped out as the car was filled with a dusty cloud. This car has been serviced at an Acura dealership every 5,000 - 6,000 miles since I have owned it.
I was driving down a normal street at 5:00 pm with the front windows down. With no prior indication or warnings the side impact air bag deployed with a disorienting "pop", violently punching me in the left arm. This caused my car to swerve, but I was able to maintain control and avoided any accidents. By all accounts, I was lucky; this could have been much worse.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Acura TSX. While at a stop light, the passenger side curtain air bag deployed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Slid on gravels in the road hit a fence front end damage replace bumper headlight hood and driver panel replaced underneath protections in front end of car airbag light stays on continually called dealer ship said was not a recall on this safety issue.
Driving up to orlando at probably 80 mpg and passenger curtain and passenger seat air bag deployed by itself ......it really scared me but ther was no damage to exterior but the inside roof and leather seat where damaged.....
Airbag complaints in other TSX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 Acura TSX?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Acura TSX, 20% of the model year's 142 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Acura TSX airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2004 Acura TSX, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Acura TSX airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 6 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.