RoadVitals

2002 Acura RSX Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest May 10, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
18%
of 76 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
10

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Acura RSX submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed May 10, 2021

THE LIGHT FOR MY AIR BAG IS ON AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT FLICKERS ON TOO. THE CRUSE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA ID
11416010
Incident
Apr 1, 2020
Mileage
227,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed May 24, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA RSX. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SRS SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT FUNCTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE SRS SERVICE LIGHT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,136 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,862.

NHTSA ID
10332022
Incident
May 6, 2010
Mileage
91,136 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Aug 1, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA RSX. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE RESTRAINT ASSEMBLY WAS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V166002 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY AT THE COST OF $500. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW UPDATED 09/15/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10236609
Incident
Jul 1, 2008
Mileage
78,000 mi
AirbagsTransmission
Filed Oct 10, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH MADE THE CONTACT CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #637638. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THIS WAS SAFETY DEFECT. THERE ALSO HAS BEEN TROUBLE WITH SWITCHING GEARS FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IT MADE A GRINDING SOUND WHILE GOING INTO SECOND GEAR. THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPED AT 12,7000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER TO ADDRESS EITHER PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10170437
Incident
Sep 1, 2006
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 11, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SRS INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEACTIVATE. THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN RELEASED BY THE MANUFACTURER (TSB # 02-015) INDICATING THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY OCCUPANT POSITION DETECTION SENSOR UNIT. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED.

NHTSA ID
10167842
Incident
Sep 11, 2006
Mileage
50,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 5, 2004
Crash reported2 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONSUMERS SON WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER MOTORIST. HER SON LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A METAL DIVIDER HEAD ON. THE VEHICLE THEN FLIPPED OVER AND ROLLED THREE TIMES, LANDING ON IT'S ROOF. NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS, OR THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES. *JB *NM *SC

NHTSA ID
10074211
Incident
May 19, 2004
Mileage
27,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 21, 2004
Crash reported2 injuries reported

DURING A 35 MPH COLLISION FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10067509
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Mileage
27,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 16, 2004
Crash reported2 injuries reported

AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN HEAD-ON COLLISION AT 35 MPH+. AFTER COLLISION, THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT SRS SYSTEM IS "DEFECTIVE" AND NEEDS A NEW PART IN ORDER FOR AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY PROPERLY IN THE FUTURE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10062336
Incident
Jan 26, 2004
Mileage
24,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 3, 2003

PROBLEMS WITH 2002 ACURA RSX POSSIBLE LEMON LAW QUALIFIER. *MR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE 02 OXYGEN SENSOR WAS SENSITIVE AND WAS RESET BUT THE PROBLEM WAS MORE THAN TWO OCCASIONS. THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCKS/KEYLESS ENTRY, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD COME ON. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10050076
Incident
Feb 14, 2003
Airbags
Filed Jan 9, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED AND BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING 100 MPH. THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER FEELS HAD THEY GONE OFF IT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE CLAVICLE BONE FRACTURE THE DRIVER SUSTAINED. *JG *JB *NLM

NHTSA ID
10001513
Incident
Sep 22, 2002
Mileage
3,200 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 21, 2002

CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AS IT SHOULD HAVE. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT DID COME ON. THE BODY SHOP HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SRS SYSTEM CONTROL WHICH CAUSED THE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THEM. *JG

NHTSA ID
566184
Airbags
Filed May 21, 2002
Crash reported2 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE AND FRONTAL IMPACT, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID
8010284
Airbags
Filed Mar 25, 2002

WHEN VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON CONTINUOUSLY AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 7 TIMES FOR PROBLEM, THAT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
8006297
Incident
Jan 4, 2002
Airbags
Filed Jan 3, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON 12/11/01 MY 3 1/2 MONTH OLD RSX-S WAS TOTALLED. A 1990 CHEVY TRUCK SMASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR AND CRUSHED IT. THE DRIVER SIDE FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE REAR FENDER (JUST BEHIND THE DRIVER'S DOOR) ALL THE WAY UP TO THE FRONT BUMPER WAS HIT AND CRUSHED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN. THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS NOT HIT AT ALL HOWERVER, IT'S FRONT AIRBAG DID DEPLOY. BECAUSE OF MY AIRBAGS NOT OPENING MY HEAD SMASHED THE DRIVER'S DOOR WINDOW AND MY LEFT HIP AND KNEE WERE PRETTY BRUISED. THE PAIN IS JUST NOW STARTING TO GO AWAY, 3 WEEKS LATER. PICTURES CAN BE SEEN AT: <HTTP://PHOTOS.YAHOO.COM/REDHEIFER8 I CALLED ACURA AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE AIRBAGS NOT WORKING ON THE SIDE OF THE CAR THAT GOT HIT, BUT POPPING OUT ON THE SIDE THAT DIDN'T. THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR OUT AND HE TOOK PICTURES OF IT AND WROTE STUFF DOWN FOR ABOUT 2 1/2 HOURS. HIS CONCLUSION WAS THAT "THE IMPACT WAS TO FAR TO THE FRONT TO SET OFF THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG AND TOO FAR TO THE REAR TO SET OFF THE FRONT IMPACT AIRBAG." THIS SEEMS TOTALLY ILLOGICAL. THE CAR WAS CRUSHED FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE REAR FENDER ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT BUMPER. IF THAT'S NOT FAR ENOUGHT BACK TO SET OFF THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG, THEN WHERE ARE THE SENSORS FOR IT??? IN THE TRUNK???? WHY DID THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOY SO EASILY WHEN THAT SIDE WASN'T EVEN HIT??? OBVIOSLY IT'S SESOR WAS NEVER TOUCHED AND IT DEPLOYED. SO WHAT'S UP WITH THE SENSORS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR??? WHY DON'T THEY WORK??? YOU WOULD THINK IF ONE OF THE SENSORS WAS GOING TO BE LESS SENSITIVE IT WOULD BE THE ONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SINCE A CHILD COULD BE OVER THERE. BUT WITHOUT EVEN BEING HIT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG POPPED RIGHT OUT. YET NOTHING WORKED ON THE DRIVER SIDE EVEN THOUGH IT TOOK ONE HELL OF A POUNDING THAT TOTALLED THE CAR. HOPE THIS ISN'T A DEFECT ON EVERYBODY'S CAR. I'D HATE TO SEE SOMEBODY GET KILLED BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S AIRBAGS DON'T WORK.

NHTSA ID
756379
Incident
Dec 11, 2001

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .