2009 Honda Accord Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  2

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  913%
• 25k–50k
  46%
• 50k–75k
  1421%
• 75k–100k
  1319%
• 100k–150k
  2334%
• 150k+
  57%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Honda Accord owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a burning odor detected prior to the illumination of air bag warning light. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence then towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that there was a recall for the air bag. However, when the contact contacted the dealer, the dealer informed the contact that there was no air bag recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was repaired by the independent mechanic, who replaced the air bag control unit. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN for the air bag. The failure mileage was 105,516.

My daughter was in an accident on 9/28/2021 and the air bag exploded and she said it burned her but it was actually some type of metal. The vehicle was inspected by the insurance company. I ended up buying the vehicle back and when the car was delivered to the repairman, it was note that is was a faulty air bag. I am not sure about the other questions as it relates to warning lamps, ect.. It has been inspected by State Farm, the car is still in my possession. I was advised to report the airbag blowout. It was stated on my Market valuation Report under Supplemental information that HONDA is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord for incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury. NHTSA Campaign ID 18v268000, 19v182000, 19v378000 & 19v502000.

Traffic bumper to bumper as 5 pm, stop and go near traffic lights. Tapped suv ahead and despite very very slow speed and not even scratch on my 2009 HONDA ACCORD COUPE - THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED & Seatbelt locked up. Contacted HONDA CORPORATE where they opened case and promised "taking care of, shouldn't have happened, and not to worry". 2 weeks later HONDA changed response when I called for update and told me to deal with my insurance company. Very unpleasant & unprofessional. Car evaluated and needed seatbelt & air bag replacement. They too confirmed not even scratch front of car, only has 83k miles! Now everyone claiming no seatbelts available.

The Airbag light is on and off randomly. The vehicle was taken into Honda where they set up a procedure that they have specifically for Airbag issues due to so many recalls. They told us the passenger side airbag qualifies for replacement under a Honda extended warranty and service bulletin. When it comes to the drivers side Airbag, Honda refuses to fix it under the warranty. The specific issue as stated by a Honda tech is "a short to the Airbag Inflator causing the Airbag to be deemed useless". This is clearly a manufacturers defect, seeing how the exact same issue was the reason that the passenger side airbag was recalled. So with this information I don't understand how the consumer is being expected to pay for the replacement and the remedy. It should fall on Honda to resolve this issue and make right by every owner of a vehicle with a defective airbag inflator.

The airbag light is on likely because of a failure with the SRS module. It is available for inspection. If the light is on the airbags will not deploy. Independent service center confirmed the issue is with the module. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer. The warning light is on. This issue matches Honda TSB 16-006, safety recall for SRS module. I also verified the SRS model number is 77960-TA0-A020-M4 with date code 08.07.08. This puts the module in the affected range. My VIN is [redacted] as given above. Given the identical nature of the issue it appears the original recall was incomplete and should be expanded to include missed vehicles.

Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V030000 (air bags), 09e063000 (equipment), and 16V056000 (air bags). While driving 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the driver's side and curtain air bags deployed without impact or warning. The front passenger side air bag failed to deploy, causing extensive injuries to the front passenger. In addition, the brake pedal failed to function when applying force to stop the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a tree. The driver sustained head, neck, and back pains. The front passenger sustained extensive bruising, pain to the head and back, and injuries to the left arm, collar bone, and sternum. Both occupants required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was inspected by the insurance company and deemed the vehicle destroyed. …

Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Honda Accord. While driving 5 MPH in heavy traffic, another vehicle turned unexpectedly in front of the contact 's vehicle. The contact struck the front driver's side of the other vehicle. The contact stated that only the passenger frontal air bag deployed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the driver sustained a whiplash, the front passenger sustained bruising from the air bag, and the rear passenger seated on the right also sustained a whiplash. No one received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the insurance company inspected the vehicle and deemed it a total loss. The vehicle was not inspected by an independent mechanic or dealer to determine why the other air bags in the vehicle failed to deploy. …

Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Honda Accord. While the contact's son was driving unknown speeds, the vehicle crashed into a steel pole. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated prior to the crash. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver was not wearing a seat belt and sustained injuries to the hip, legs, a tear in his lungs, heart damage, and memory loss. Medical attention was required. The driver was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The front seat passenger was wearing a seat belt and was uninjured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to the local dealer. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 147,000.

Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Honda Accord. While driving approximately 75 MPH another vehicle rear ended the contact's vehicle at a 180 degree angle into three lanes, a 360 degree angle head on into the guardrail, and then onto the shoulder of oncoming traffic. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained neck, head, and back injuries that required medical attention. The passenger sustained neck, back, and head injuries that also required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and then to an insurance towing lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V346000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 06/08/17 updated 06/18/17**** updated 06/27/17

Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Honda Accord. The contact called on behalf of the driver. While the driver was operating the vehicle while intoxicated, the vehicle skidded off the roadway. The speed was unknown. The contact stated that the driver's side air bag deployed, but the passenger side air bag failed to fully inflate. The contact stated that the driver sustained a broken foot that required medical attention, but the contact's daughter (who was the front seat passenger) passed away. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot where it was deemed destroyed. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the passenger side air bag failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Accord years