Problems · by component

2006 Acura TL air bags problems

85 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Acura TL cite air bags, 34% of all 247 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
85
34% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“My Acura (VIN: [XXX] ) 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. The issue has not yet been inspected by Acura because, despite opening a safety case over two weeks ago, the manufacturer has not assigned a case manager. Insurance has been notified, but no manufacturer or dealer inspection has occurred yet. Given the prior Takata recall, the incomplete repair history, and the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2025Air bagsODI 11699822
“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. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was informed that the power steering hose was leaking. The contact was informed that the steering fluid had entered other unknown components of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact was topping off the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 10, 2025Steering, Air bags, Vehicle speed controlODI 11698546
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2023Air bagsODI 11515155
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 15, 2022Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11456843
“CRACKS AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS WHICH IS REALLY DANGEROUS TO SEE ASSUMING IT TO BE DEPLOYED ANYTIME SOON RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND INJURING THE PASSENGER FOR NO REASON.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2021Air bags, StructureODI 11386760
“WELL MY AIR BAG SENSOR, MY PSA LIGHT AND MY TPSA LIGHT IS ON. ALL DEALING WITH FAULTY SENSORS AND ELECTRICAL ISSUES. AND MY AIR BAG SENSOR WILL COME ON ONCE IN AWHILE, SAYING IT'S OFF. AND FROM THE ACURA TL COMMUNITY 2003 TO 2006 HAVE HORRIBLE TRANSMISSIONS. EVERYBODY I KNOW AND TALK TO THAT HAVE A TL THAT FALLS INTO THOSE YEARS, HAVE HAD THEIR TRANSMISSIONS EITHER REBUILT OR REPLACED. AND NOBODY EVER TALKS ABOUT IT. I WANT TO MAKE IT KNOWN THAT THESE VEHICLES HAVE ONE OF THE WORST TRANSMISSIONS OTHER THAN THE HONDA ODDESSY BUT HONDA HAS A RECALL ON THERE TRANSMISSIONS. SO HOPEFULLY ONE DAY ACURA CAN DO THE SAME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2020Air bags, Unknown or other, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11311223

Showing 6 of 85 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

Air bagsReported Mar 6, 2019NHTSA 19V182000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Nov 3, 2005NHTSA 05V510000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.