RoadVitals

2005 Acura TL 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.
144
Latest Apr 3, 2026
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.
37%
of 387 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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

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 2005 Acura TL submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 144 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

The 25 most recent of 144, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Apr 3, 2026
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the front driver's side air bag might have deployed without impact, hit the contact's face, reducing the roadway visibility and causing the vehicle to crash into the rear-end of another vehicle. The contact stated that the air bag exploded and propelled fragments, causing the driver to experience difficulty breathing. The contact was assisted out of the vehicle because the front driver's side door was damaged and could only be opened from the outside. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle was significantly damaged and pushed back, and the driver's side of the vehicle was pushed back. The contact was transported to the hospital, where he was informed that he had sustained a concussion and a laceration on the left side of the head. The contact sustained bruises on the sternum, the spectrum, and the muscles, and the contact sustained whiplash and an airbag burn on the hand. The contact also sustained soft tissue damage on the right calf and throughout the body. The other driver did not sustain injuries and was able to drive away from the scene. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

NHTSA ID
11728997
Incident
Feb 19, 2026
Mileage
230,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 4, 2023

Air bags light flashing on and off almost every day we are driving the vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11505499
Incident
Dec 1, 2022
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Apr 13, 2022

The contact owns a 2005 Acura TL. The contact stated that the entire dashboard was cracked. Additionally, air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11460690
Incident
Apr 13, 2022
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 23, 2022

There are cracks forming on the dashboard of my 2005 Acura TL that I have researched and found are chronic issues in the 2004-2008 TL, and might compromise the ability of the airbag to deploy properly (either prematurely or not at all when expected to imnan accident). I've watched my dashboard go from having 1 crack 5-10 years ago to forming 2 more recently (for a total of 3) and have concerns after researching this as a common defect for the 2004-2008 generation of TL, and yet Acura has not had a recall to fix this completely free of charge to the vehicle owner with no time limitation on when this can be honored. http://www.acuraproblems.com/cracked-dashboard/

NHTSA ID
11448543
Incident
Jan 23, 2022
Airbags
Filed Aug 30, 2021

A crack has developed on the passenger side of the dash running directly over the location of the airbag located on the same side. This has not resulted in any failure or malfunction as of now, but it raises concerns over the potential given the location. If you research the internet, you will find a plethora of similar complaints and concerns from many other third generation (‘04-‘08) Acura TL owners dating back many years now. In spite of this, Acura/Honda has failed to offer any type of solution or even recognize it for the potential safety issue that it represents. To answer the questions you ask, I have not had it inspected by any dealer, mechanic or insurance representative at this time, nor have there been any warning lights appearing. However, common sense tells me that there is the “ potential “ for a problem given the nature of the crack and its location. Acura/Honda needs to step up and acknowledge and address this issue!!

NHTSA ID
11431110
Incident
Aug 15, 2020
Airbags
Filed Jul 7, 2021

It happened years ago - the passenger side dash cracked. Now there are more cracks and I am reading that this could pose a risk if the passenger side airbag deployed. I’ve always thought it was a manufacturing flaw for the dashboard to crack in the first place but never did or said anything about it before. Now I am concerned about the safety of my passengers.

NHTSA ID
11423825
Incident
Jul 7, 2012
Airbags
Filed May 2, 2021

CRACKING DASH BOARD. DOUBTFUL THAT THERE ISN'T A TAKATA AIRBAG AT THE ROOT OF IT THAT ACURA IS NOT INCLUDING WITH THE OTHER YEARS OF THAT RECALL. SUSPECT DANGERS IF BAG GETS DEPLOYED AS DASH WOULD FRAGMENT OUT IN EXPULSION.

NHTSA ID
11414876
Incident
May 14, 2017
Airbags
Filed Mar 13, 2021

BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM ORIGINAL OWNER. DASH HAD A SINGLE CRACK ALONG PASSENGER SIDE/AIR BAG. NOW DASH HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS SURROUNDING PASSENGER AIR BAG AREA. EXTREMELY CONCERNED REGARDING AIR BAG OPERATING PROPERLY IF DEPLOYED AS WELL AS SHARDS/SHARP PIECES OF DASH FLYING IF AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED. DISTURBED THAT ONLY SOME OF THE 2005 ACURA TL'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND NOT ALL FROM THIS YEAR.

NHTSA ID
11402814
Incident
Mar 6, 2017
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Feb 25, 2021

MY SON WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ID
11397856
Incident
Oct 9, 2020
Mileage
95,600 mi
AirbagsBody & structureExterior lighting
Filed Oct 29, 2020

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND AIR BAG WAS DEFECTED AND I HAD TO PAY FOR IT . MY DASHBOARD CRACKED CND MY DASH LIGHT S DON'T WORK THEY SOMETIME COME ON AND GO OFF

NHTSA ID
11367013
Incident
Aug 14, 2015
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Aug 27, 2020

DATE: 08/27/2020 MY 2005 ACURA TL HAS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE PASSENGER DASH HAS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES OF WHERE THE AIRBAG IS LOCATED. THIS ISSUE OCCURRED SLOWLY OVER THE COURSE OF ABOUT A YEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. AS OF A WEEK AGO, THE RED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT GOES ON AND STAYS ON (BY THE SPEEDOMETER) WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE FRONT SEAT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF ACURA TL OWNERS THAT HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CRACKING AND MANY HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH THE NHTSA AND HAVE CONTACTED ACURA. EVEN THOUGH ALL OF THE OTHER ACURA TL MODEL YEARS THROUGH 2014 WERE PART OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL, FOR SOME REASON THE 3RD GENERATION ACURA TL MODEL YEARS 2004 - 2008 HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED DUE TO THE TAKATA AIRBAG ISSUE. I HAVE READ THAT IT MAY BE DUE TO ACURA NEEDING TO REMOVE THE DASH IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS, AND THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO INCUR THE EXPENSE OF REPLACING THE ENTIRE DASH. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL ACURA TL OWNERS, REPLACING THE DASH COSTS BETWEEN $1,000 - $2,000 (FOR THE OWNER) AND DOESN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING HAVING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DAMAGED DUE TO THE CRACKS IN THE DASH AND HUMIDITY GETTING IN. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE CRACKS COULD AFFECT DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG, OR CAUSE IT TO DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE PASSENGER OR THE DRIVER. ACCORDING TO MANY POSTS I HAVE SEEN ONLINE, THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 5 YEARS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SAFETY HAZARD AND NOTIFY ACURA. ACURA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS WIDESPREAD SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11351709
Incident
Aug 20, 2020
Mileage
122,170 mi
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical
Filed Jul 17, 2020

MY BATTERY WOULD BE DEAD IF I DIDN'T DRIVE MY CAR EVERY DAY. THEN I FOUND OUT THERE IS A PARASITIC DRAIN ON THE BATTERY FROM A FAULTY HANDS-FREE BLUETOOTH MODULE. I WATCHED A VIDEO THEN DISCONNECTED MINE MYSELF, PROBLEM SOLVED. I'VE USED A HEADLIGHT RESTORATION KIT BECAUSE THE LIGHTS ARE YELLOW AND THEY HAVE SPIDER-CRACKS ALL IN THEM, IT REALLY AFFECTS THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE LIGHT ITSELF. THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED BEYOND REPAIR AND I'M TERRIFIED OF GETTING INTO A WRECK IN MY CAR, THE DASH WOULD BECOME SHRAPNEL!

NHTSA ID
11340032
Incident
Jul 17, 2020
AirbagsExterior lighting
Filed May 26, 2020

2005 ACURA TL- PARKED WINTERS, GARAGED, BABIED AND ALL SERVICE COMPLETED AT THE ACURA DEALERSHIPS. CAR HAS 141,000 ON IT AND WAS NEAR 50,000 WHEN PURCHASED (ASPEC PACKAGE ETC). CAR HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, ACROSS THE CENTER SPEAKER AND NOW DIRECTLY ON THE INDENTATION WHERE THE AIRBAG IS LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. REACHED OUT TO ACURA FOR ASSISTANCE ((ATTACHED)) AND THEY SAID THE CAR IS TOO OLD AND OUTSIDE WARRANTY TO HELP ME. IRREGARDLESS OF THE FACT I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN IT TO ACURA AND ONE LOOK AT THE CARS EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR *PAINT AND LEATHER INTERIOR* SHOWS THAT THIS CAR HAS BEEN SPOILED. THE DASHBOARD IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS GENERATION AND EVEN MADE THE NEWS FROM COMPLAINTS. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY OR CAUSE HARM DUE TO THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE DASHBOARD BEING ALTERED DUE TO SHODDY CRAFTSMANSHIP THAT IS NOT BEING BACKED UP BY ACURA. I HAVE ALSO RAISED CONCERN THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ARE BOTH CRACKING AND DISCOLORED. I HAVE HAD THEM PROFESSIONALLY *REFURBISHED* BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AS THEY TOO ARE A SAFETY ISSUE NOT ALLOWING PROPER LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO MANUFACTURE DEFECT- AGAIN -- CAR PARKED WINTERS, JUST LOOK AT THE PAINT AND QUALITY OF THE CAR THAT IS 15 YEARS OLD.*DT*JB *TR

NHTSA ID
11326050
Incident
May 24, 2020
Mileage
141,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed May 17, 2020

THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOT ACCIDENT RELATED BUT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.MY CAR BATTERY KEPT DRAINING. I REPLACED THE BATTERY JUST UNDER A YEAR AGO AND IT KEPT HAPPENING UNLESS I DROVE THE CAR EVERY DAY. FINALLY TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THE BLUETOOTH DEVICE UP IN THE HEADLINER WAS SHORTED OUT. GOT THAT FIXED BUT FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST ACURA FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. IT'S BEEN ONGOING FOR 5 YEARS! THE AIRBAG ISSUE HAS TO TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED, HORRIBLY, EVEN THOUGH MY CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED AND PROTECTED FROM THE SUN MOST OF THE TIME SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2011. IF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, THERE WILL BE MAJOR SHRAPNEL FROM THE DASHBOARD DAMAGE THAT WILL CAUSE EVEN GREATER INJURY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY ACURA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THE FAULTY DASHBOARD MATERIALS.

NHTSA ID
11324867
Incident
May 7, 2020
Mileage
168,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesSteering
Filed Mar 1, 2020

AIRBAG: CRACKED DASHBOARD ABOVE AIRBAG. ABS OFF STEERING: (IN MOTION AND WHEN STATIONARY) STEERING WHEEL MOANED WHILE TURNING WHEEL/DRIVING AND EVEN AFTER PARKING AND TURNING STEERING WHEEL. BRAKES: (IN MOTION) WHEN GOING DOWN ON DIPS ON ROAD, BRAKES MAKE NOISE AND SEEM TO SLIP.

NHTSA ID
11315358
Incident
Feb 27, 2020
Mileage
25 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 17, 2020

THERE ARE CRACKS IN THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THEY RUN FROM WINDSHIELD TO THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH.

NHTSA ID
11309677
Incident
Feb 16, 2020
Mileage
160,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Jan 28, 2020

DASH IS CRACKING ON PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA ID
11302565
Incident
Jan 12, 2020
Mileage
180,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 21, 2019

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2005 ACURA TL WITH 49,650 MILES ON IT. WHAT STARTED AS A HAIR LINE CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD IS NOW A SERIES OF SPIDER WEB WALL OF CRACKS ALL THROUGHOUT THE DASHBOARD, IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. AS OF LATE, THE CRACKS HAVE EXTENDED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AREA. AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMENTINLY BLINKS ON /OFF BOTH WITH AND WITHOUT A PASSENGER OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THIS IS NOT AN OF WEAR AND TEAR PARTS ISSUE BUT A DEFECTIVE MATERIAL ISSUE BY ACURA. FURTHERMORE, IT IS NOW A SAFETY ISSUE WHETHER THE CRACKED DASHBOARD WILL PLAY IN THE MALFUNCTIONING IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. I AM IN FEAR OF GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF MY ACURA TL NOW THAT AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY SWITCHES ON/OFF AT RANDOM SINCE THE APPEARANCE OF THE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ID
11281650
Incident
Nov 21, 2019
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Sep 25, 2019

2005 ACURA TL, VERY WELL MAINTAINED. JUN 2019, A CRACK APPEARED IN DASHBOARD ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. AIRBAG DASHBOARD LIGHT CAME ON 3 MONTHS LATER AND STAYS ON. DEALER SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE, BUT NOW I KNOW THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. LOVE THE CAR, BUT FEEL ACURA NEEDS TO RESOLVE THIS DEFECT. THE RISK OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS SERIOUS.

NHTSA ID
11258227
Incident
Sep 25, 2019
Airbags
Filed Sep 20, 2019

PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYING BY ITSELF AND CAUSING DASHBOARD TO CRACK

NHTSA ID
11256850
Incident
Feb 27, 2017
Mileage
90,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jul 30, 2019

THE AIRBAG SEAT BELT SENSOR OR LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME IT'S COMMON FOR THESE TYPES OF VEHICLES OF 2004 TO 2008. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RESOLVED, I WAS TOLD IT WASNT UNDER WARRANTY OR A RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OLDER THAN 10 YEARS, BUT CLEARLY ON THE WEBSITE IT SAYS UNDER 15 YEARS IT SHOULD BE COVERED. I WANTED TO CLEAR THIS UP WITH ACURA SERVICE DEPARTMENT BUT THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME ABOUT $600 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND ALMOST $2000 FOR REINSTALLING AN AIRBAG AND SENSOR, WHICH I SAW ONLINE IT'S A RECALL BUT MY CARS VIN SAYS I DONT HAVE A RECALL. I ALREADY DID A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THRU MY MECHANIC AND HAVE ALL THE CODES THAT STATES IT IS A RECALL WHAT CAN I DO? I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND THE AIRBAG SEAT BELT SENSOR LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON.

NHTSA ID
11240571
Incident
Jul 18, 2019
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Jul 2, 2019

MY 2005 ACURA TL HAS BEEN KEPT IN TOP CONDITION AND CARE. LAST YEAR (2018) THE DASHBOARD BEGAN TO SPLIT ALONG THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LOCATION. THE CRACK SPREAD FROM THE FRONT ALL THE WAY TO THE WINDSHIELD. NOW I GET THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ANYTIME SOMEONE SITS IN THE SEAT... INDICATING THE AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE FIX WILL COST OVER $3500.00. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE IN GREAT CONDITION IS PROBABLY ONLY BLUE BOOK PRICED AROUND $4,500.00? SHOULDN'T HONDA/ACURA HAVE SOME FINANCIAL SKIN IN THIS GAME? IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT MY ACURA IS NOT PART OF THE TAKATA RECALL! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!!!

NHTSA ID
11228953
Incident
Jul 15, 2018
Mileage
160,000 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Jun 21, 2019

AIR BAG LIGHTS BLINKING OFF WHETHER THERE'S A PASSENGER OR.NOT.... MY STEERING HARD TO TURN WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS .. POWER STEERING PUMP FINE AND NO LEAKS

NHTSA ID
11221824
Incident
May 18, 2019
Mileage
132,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Jun 18, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED NEAR THE LOCATION OF THE AIR BAGS AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

NHTSA ID
11220912
Incident
Apr 23, 2019
Mileage
149,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 20, 2019

TAKTATA RECALL - HAVE A 2005 ACURA TL THAT HAS BEEN PARKED WINTERS AND INSIDE A GARAGE. PAMPERED, POLISHED, ACURA SERVICE ALWAYS. WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND NOTICED MY DANG DASHBOARD HAS THE CRACK THAT EVERYONE IS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT. I CANT BELIEVE THAT A CAR OF THIS PRICE IS HAVING A DASHBOARD CRACK. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS OVER 2000 TO FIX IT. MY OTHER CAR IS NEARLY 20 YEARS OLD AND NOT ONE BLEMISH OR CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD AND IT TOO IS A HONDA PRODUCT. C'MON WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES AROUND THE AIRBAG DO THE RIGHT THING ACURA AND GOOD WILL FIX THIS THING OR YOU WILL LOSE NOT ONLY ME BUT THE OTHER 4 FAMILY MEMBERS I GOT TURNED ONTO HONDA VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID
11190355
Incident
Mar 19, 2019
Mileage
136,000 mi

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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