2007 Acura MDX Airbags Problems

The driver's seat wiring harness on my daughter's 2007 Acura MDX has failed under normal operating conditions. The physical adjustment and movement of the driver's seat causes the factory wiring harness to over-tension and fracture internally. This has resulted in an intermittent, escalating failure of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), throwing diagnostic trouble code DTC 71-11 ("open circuit in the driver's seat position sensor"). This is a known manufacturer engineering defect documented under Acura Technical Service Bulletin TSB 11-023. This defect poses an immediate safety hazard because the vehicle's computer automatically disables the driver's side airbag safety deployment when the circuit loses connection. The manufacturer is currently refusing to cover the repair due to the age of the vehicle, despite it being a critical safety-restraint system failure that leaves the driver unprotected in a collision. (The exact date of first onset is estimated, as this safety defect is an ongoing, intermittent electrical failure that began several months ago but only recently became more frequent. We also were originally unaware that the airbag warning light coming on meant the airbags were disabled, or we would have brought the car in sooner.)

NHTSA ID

11741869

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

TAKATA RECALL: I RECENTLY PURCHASED MY VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR DEALERSHIP. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, I WAS MAILED A HARD COPY OF AN AIRBAG SETTLEMENT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT INVOLVING HONDA MOTORS AND TAKATA. I HAVE THE NOTICE IN MY POSSESSION, CITING MY VEHICLE AS ONE OF THE DECLARED RECIPIENTS WITHIN THE SETTLED CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. I AM SIMPLY CONDUCTING MY DUE DILIGENCE IN REPORTING MY VEHICLE AS IT HAS BECOME MY PROPERTY AND HENCE, MY NEW PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11053842

Incident

Oct 18, 2017

Mileage

55,072 mi

WIRING HARNESS FOR AIRBAG ERROR CODE CHECK AIRBAG 71-1

NHTSA ID

11011542

Incident

Apr 1, 2017

TAKATA RECALL - SIDE AIRBAGS INFLATED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY HOME DRIVEWAY DURING THE NIGHT OF DECEMBER 31 2016 & JANUARY 1,2017

NHTSA ID

10950129

Incident

Dec 31, 2016

Mileage

125,000 mi

INTERIOR LEFT & RIGHT AIRBAGS INFLATED WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AT NIGHT, KEYS REMOVED, SECURITY SYSTEM ENGAUGED BETWEEN AFTERNOON OF 12/31/2016 AND MORNING 1/1/2017.

NHTSA ID

10949574

Incident

Dec 31, 2016

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ACURA MDX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 03/17/17*LJ *AS

NHTSA ID

10943870

Incident

Jan 8, 2017

Mileage

125,000 mi

CONSTANTLY HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WE WENT ON A VACATION AND CAME BACK TO FIND THE BATTERY COMPLETELY DEAD. TOOK IT IN AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BAD HANDS FREE UNIT WHICH WAS REPLACED. NOW WE ARE HAVING ALL KINDS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. EACH TIME WE TURN THE CAR ON THE AUTO SETTING TOGGLE BETWEEN DRIVER 1 AND DRIVER 2 SETTINGS. OCCASIONALLY YOU HEAR A POP ON THE SPEAKERS WHEN YOU START THE ENGINE. NOW WE HAVE THE CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT COME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A MONEY PIT WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT NOBODY SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $1000 TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT WITH NO LUCK.

NHTSA ID

10790575

Incident

May 11, 2014

Mileage

78,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ADJUSTING THE POWER SEAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A WIRING HARNESS REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 11/04/11 *BF

NHTSA ID

10429044

Incident

Oct 5, 2009

Mileage

60,000 mi