2007 Acura TL Airbags Problems

The dash is cracked surrounding the passenger side airbag and is beginning to crack on the drivers side. I have contacted Acura and was assigned Case # 13709011 by email stating "We appreciate you taking the time to make us aware of your concern regarding the feature, and we understand your frustration regarding the matter. Upon further review of the circumstances regarding the issue, we were unable to find any open campaigns pertaining to this matter (e.g., safety recall, warranty extension or product update). Have you had a chance to reach out to your local preferred Honda dealership to make them aware of the issue? If not, the skilled Service Department at our dealerships are in the best position to evaluate your vehicle and determine the best available corrective action. We encourage you to contact the Service Department of your preferred (Honda/Acura) dealership for assistance with a diagnosis. Your case will be closed at this time, pending further information." Although I will follow up with my local service department I am confused/concerned that given the impact on airbag deployment and the number of complaints that I have found that NHTSA has not issued a recall to repair the dash and reinstall the airbags. I have found a number of forums https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=219662424726766&id=219398981419777&p=30 https://www.carcomplaints.com/Acura/TL/2007/accessories-interior/cracked_dashboard.shtml https://www.carproblemzoo.com/acura/tl/dashboard-crack-problems.php The attached photo was taken on a warmer day - the cracks are deep and wide with colder temperatures. My request is that NHTSA research the problem as the safety issue that it is and have Honda Motors issue a safety recall to correct the situation immediately. Thank you, Sandy Simms

NHTSA ID

11515306

Incident

Jan 11, 2023

Prolonged high temperatures and/ or high humidity cause the dashboard to crack along the right side of the passenger side airbag. In a matter of days, the crack spreads all over the airbag area and dashboard. The material defect effects Acura TLs and TL TypeS from 2004-2008. Cracks in the dashboard can result in pieces of the dashboard being projected into the eyes and face of passengers once the passenger airbag deploys. The cracks allow moisture and debris into the airbag module which I believe could create the risk of a faulty airbag deployment or failing to deploy which can lead to sever injury or death

NHTSA ID

11502563

Incident

Jul 1, 2021

The car dashboard is severely cracking. More specifically, there is an area on the right passenger side that has cracked outlining where the airbag is located. It is feared that due to this cracking the airbag may falsely break free at any time.

NHTSA ID

11491610

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

The passenger side air bag that is located under the dashboard has caused the dashboard to crack around the outline of the air bag unit. Cracks in the dashboard can result in pieces of the dashboard being projected into the eyes and face of passengers once the passenger airbag deploys. The cracks allow moisture into the airbag module which can create the risk of a faulty airbag deployment or failing to deploy which can lead to severe injury or death. Given this cracking is extremely common in the 3rd generation TL, it must be a product defect. This dangerous defect should be repaired by Acura with a dash replacement so the air bag will function as intended at time of manufacture.

NHTSA ID

11480438

Incident

Aug 21, 2022

The contact owns a 2007 Acura TL. The contact stated that the hard-plastic dashboard material cracked near and around the location of the air bag. The contact was concerned about a safety hazard should the air bag deploy. The cause of the cracking was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the issue, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11439677

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

Mileage

70,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD CRACKED RIGHT ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REQUIRING THE DASHBOARD TO NEED REPLACING. ACURA WON'T COVER THE EXPENSE DESPITE THE FACT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

11288027

Incident

Sep 2, 2019

Mileage

190,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH, THE DRIVER, PASSENGER, PASSENGER SEAT, AND PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR AN IMPACT OCCURRING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND SIDE. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1003671. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ID

11281362

Incident

Nov 12, 2019

Mileage

138,000 mi

THE DASH IS PREMATURLY CRACKING CAUSING PIECES TO BECOME POTENTIAL PROJECTILES IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS. THE CRACKS MAY POSSIBLY ALSO CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY. ALSO THE POWERSTEERING PUMP IS LEAKING FLUID SEVERELY. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR EVERY 2007 AND 2008 TL, BUT SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED THE TYPE S WHICH IS NOW SHOWING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND POSSIBLE FIRE RISK DUE TO THE LEAKS. THE CAR ALSO HAS PREMATURE WEAR ON THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND NOW BEEDS MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

11163899

Incident

Dec 27, 2018

Mileage

105,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASH ENCLOSURE HOUSING FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTURE TRAVELED FROM THE DASHBOARD TO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ONLY EVIDENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. *TT*JB

NHTSA ID

11160954

Incident

Sep 12, 2018

Mileage

131,000 mi

I AM REPORTING THIS TODAY AS I FEAR FOR SAFETY CONCERNS ON MY 2007 ACURA TL TYPE S. RECENTLY I HAVE NOTICED A CRACK FORMING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOY AREA. THIS CRACK IS FORMING PERFECTLY AROUND THE FAULT DASH WHERE THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY. I FEAR FOR SAFETY AS IF THIS CRACK COMPLETELY FORMS AROUND THE AIRBAG BLAST AREA THAT A MALFUNCTION MAY HAPPEN AND THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY ITSELF. I WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATION TO HAPPEN IF POSSIBLE AS I WOULD NOT WANT THE AIRBAG TO SELF DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING. IF I CAN BE ANY HELP IN THIS INVESTIGATION PLEASE LET ME KNOW BUT I DO FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY ACURA.

NHTSA ID

11114035

Incident

Jul 27, 2018

THE DASHBOARD, IN THE AREAS OF THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE AIRBAG, IF BEGINNING TO CRACK. DUE TO THE CRACK APPEARING IN A STRAIGHT LINE, SEEMING TO OUTLINE THE AIRBAG LOCATED UNDER THE DASH, I BELIEVE IT TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE AIRBAG. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL ACURA DEALER AND AM WAITING FOR THEM TO NOTIFY ME REGARDING "NEXT STEPS."

NHTSA ID

11105358

Incident

Jun 27, 2018

Mileage

90,000 mi

THERE IS A LARGE CRACK (ROUGHLY 10 IN.) ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. BELOW THE CRACK IS WHERE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS LOCATED. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN ACURA TL PRODUCTION (2004-2007). SINCE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS LOCATED RIGHT BELOW THE CRACK, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DEPLOYMENT MAY BE COMPROMISED.

NHTSA ID

11099190

Incident

May 1, 2018

DASHBOARD HAS DEVELOPED MANY CRACKS EVEN WITH REGUALAR CARE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID

11089879

Incident

Apr 4, 2016

DASHBOARD CRACKING AROUND THE AIRBAG. CONCERN THAT THE AIRBAG WILL THROW PIECES OF DASHBOARD AT PASSENGER AND MAY NOT INFLATE EVENLY. POTENTIALLY INJURYING PASSENGER.

NHTSA ID

11066118

Incident

Jan 18, 2018

Mileage

104,000 mi

DASH STARTED TO CRACK AT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE IT HAS BECOME WEAKER ON ONE SIDE THAN THE OTHER. THE CRACK HAS STARTED TO TRAVEL TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD AND A LITTLE BIT TOWARDS THE GROVE BOX COMPARTMENT. IT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID

11058585

Incident

Dec 15, 2017

Mileage

178,000 mi

CRACKS OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS THAT EXTEND OVER TO THE DRIVERS SIDE. CONCERNED OF SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING WITH THE COMPROMISED INTEGRITY OF THE DASH.

NHTSA ID

11057227

Incident

Oct 10, 2017

Mileage

22,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY 35 MPH ON ROUTE 9 IN CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AND FRONT SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON ALMOST CAUSING A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. THE SEAT BELT ACTUATOR IS NOW LOCKED RENDERING THE SEAT BELT USELESS. ACURA TOWED THE CAR TO A DEALER WHO UPLOADED ALL THE COMPUTER CODES AND CLAIMS THAT THE OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT! THE CODES LISTED ON THE RECEIPT ARE F3-11, 61-1, 81-55, 25-11. THEY LIST A DEFECT CODE 03217. CUSTOMER SERVICE AT ACURA NORTH AMERICA CITED THE CONDITION OF THE 4 RIMS, (WHICH ARE ALL SCUFFED AT THE EDGES), AND SCUFFS ON THE BUMPER INDICATE POSSIBLE REASONS FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IF THIS WAS POSSIBLE, SHOULDN'T THE AIRBAG HAVE DEPLOYED WHEN THE SCUFFS OCCURRED? THERE WAS NO EVENT THAT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAG ACTIVATION UNDER STEADY DRIVING. ACURA SEEMS TO HAVE HAD MORE EXAMPLES OF THIS PROBLEM AS EVIDENCED ON VARIOUS ACURA FORUM WEB PAGES WHERE UNPROVOKED SIDE AND SEAT AIRBAGS UNEXPLAINABLY DETONATE. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT AT ACURA HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS. HAD THIS RESULTED IN A PHYSICAL INJURY RATHER THAN AND EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL ONE, A COURT CASE COULD HAVE BEEN PURSUED.

NHTSA ID

11055358

Incident

Dec 5, 2017

Mileage

63,000 mi

PASSENGER DASH ABOVE AIRBAG, IS CRACKED. THE CRACK BEGAN AS A SINGLE PERFORATION, COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD DIRECTION OUTWARD, DIRECTLY ABOVE WHERE THE AIRBAG IS HOUSED. ONE DAY TO THE NEXT IT JUST APPEARED. IT BEGAN WITH A SINGLE CRACK IN JULY 2017, NOW IN NOV 2017, AN IDENTICAL CRACK LAYS ADJACENT TO THE FIRST, APPROX. 6 INCHES APART. I USE A SUNSHADE WHENEVER I'M NOT UTILIZING A COVERED PARKING SPOT. I'VE NEVER LEFT MY CAR WITHOUT A SHADE DURING ANY HOT DAYS (LEATHER SEATS GET FAR TOO HOT TO SIT ON EVEN WEARING PANTS, LET ALONG SHORTS OR SKIRTS). I'VE TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO 2 DIFFERENT ACURA DEALERSHIPS, WHO'VE QUOTED $2,000+ TO REPLACE, WITH ZERO HELP FROM ACURA SINCE THERE'S NOT AN ACTIVE RECALL. I'VE HAD TO RESTRICT ALL PASSENGERS TO SIT IN MY BACK SEAT, WHICH ACCORDING TO MY GRANDMOTHER, "IS DISRESPECTFUL & DEMEANING". THE PERFORATIONS ARE LOOKING MORE LIKE THE SEALANT USED TO CLOSE A HIDDEN COMPARTMENT (AIRBAG?) HAS WORN OUT, AND THE AIRBAG IS CLOSE TO EXPLODING. I PLANNED TO UPGRADE TO AN ACURA SUV LAST MONTH, BUT IT APPEARS I'M NOW FORCED TO RESELL TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR $2000-$3000 LESS THAN THE 2 FAILED DEALS DUE TO VALID CONCERNS. I JUST CAN'T PHANTOM HOW ACURA REFUSES TO RECALL AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THEIR WORKMANSHIP THAT PUTS SO MANY OF THEIR OWN CUSTOMERS LIVES AT RISK. SO MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT THE COSTLY REMEDY REMAINS MY PROBLEM TO PAY FOR 1 WAY OR ANOTHER?! WITH THE RAPID RATE AT WHICH THESE CRACKS ARE GROWING AND THREATENING THE INTEGRITY OF WHAT'S SUPPOSE TO BE A SAFETY DEVICE, I MAY NOT HAVE A CHOICE OF HOW TO HANDLE THIS SOON. I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT AND EATING IT BY TRADING IT IN ISN'T SOMETHING I CAN AFFORD EITHER.

NHTSA ID

11051405

Incident

Jul 17, 2017

Mileage

125,000 mi

MY DASHBOARD HAS TWO LONG VERTICAL CRACKS DIRECTLY OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AS NOTED BY THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS RECEIVED. THE CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED CONTINUOUSLY SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT OVER 7 YEARS. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT TO CAUSE THE CRACKING. IT IS A SERIOUS POTENTIAL AIRBAG SAFETY ISSUE. ACURA DOES NOT WANT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE DESPITE A MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS. MY WIFE WILL NO LONGER SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DUE TO FEAR FOR HER SAFETY AND POSSIBLE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

NHTSA ID

11020876

Incident

May 1, 2017

Mileage

200,000 mi

PROLONGED HIGH TEMPERATURES AND/ OR HIGH HUMIDITY CAUSE THE DASHBOARD TO CRACK ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. IN A MATTER OF DAYS, THE CRACK SPREADS ALL OVER THE AIRBAG AREA AND DASHBOARD. THE MATERIAL DEFECT EFFECTS ACURA TLS AND TL TYPES FROM 2004-2008. CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD CAN RESULT IN PIECES OF THE DASHBOARD BEING PROJECTED INTO THE EYES AND FACE OF PASSENGERS ONCE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYS. THE CRACKS ALLOW MOISTURE INTO THE AIRBAG MODULE WHICH CAN CREATE THE RISK OF A FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OR FAILING TO DEPLOY WHICH CAN LEAD TO SEVER INJURY OR DEATH. ACURA VEHICLES WITH AS FEW AS 60K MILES UP TO 160K ARE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. ACURA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND REFUSE TO ASSIST CONSUMERS WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD. THERE IS A FACEBOOK FORUM (HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ACURATLDEFECTIVEDASH AND CAR PROBLEMS FORUM (HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/ACURA/TL/2007/AIR-BAG-PROBLEMS.PHP) WHERE NUMEROUS CONSUMERS HAVE REPORTED THEIR ISSUE WITH THE CRACKED DASHBOARD ON ACURA TLS. ALL CONSUMERS ARE CONCERNED THAT WITH THE DEFECT OCCURRING ALONG THE SIDE OF THE AIRBAG AND SPREADING ACROSS THE ENTIRE DASH. MY CAR WAS PARKED JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER CONSUMERS. SOME VEHICLES ARE HOUSED IN A GARAGE WHILE OTHERS HAVE BEEN OUTSIDE IN A PARKING LOT OR YARD.

NHTSA ID

11013569

Incident

Jul 26, 2017

Mileage

162,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT ON I-90 EAST IN WASHINGTON STATE, AT 60MPH WHEN I HIT A VERY SMALL POTHOLE RIGHT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE, AND IT DEPLOYED THE DRIVER'S SEAT AIRBAG, AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG, AND LOCKED THE SEATBELT TIGHT AGAINST ME. THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED AND HIT ME VERY HARD DISORIENTING ME AND BARELY ALLOWING ME TO PULL OVER. THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION NEARLY CAUSED ME TO TOTAL THE VEHICLE WHILE I HAD A PASSENGER IN THE CAR WITH ME. NO OTHER AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED.

NHTSA ID

10970392

Incident

Apr 2, 2017

Mileage

144,500 mi

DASH CRACK. I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN SEPTEMBER. IN FEBRUARY I NOTICED A LARGE CRACK OVER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I CONTACTED ACURA WITH SAFETY CONCERNS AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE WHEN I NOTED THE CRACK ON 2-11-17. THE CRACK STARTED OUT THE SIZE OF A PERSONAL CHECKBOOK AND HAS GROWN IN LENGTH. IT SPANS FROM THE WINDSHIELD TO THE GLOVEBOX. I HAD THE CAR INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED ACURA INSPECTOR AND WAS TOLD THE CRACK WAS NOT CAUSED BY DAMAGE. I REPORTED MY ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS TO ACURA (OVER $2000) AND WAS CONTACTED. ACURA WILL NOT HELP COVER ANY REPAIRS D/T MY CAR NOT BEING UNDER WARRANTY OR UNDER 50,000. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND IT WAS IN PRISTINE CONDITION.

NHTSA ID

10968148

Incident

Feb 11, 2017

Mileage

119,200 mi

DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AROUND PASSENGER AIRBAG

NHTSA ID

10945304

Incident

Jan 7, 2016

ORIGINAL OWNER OF VEHICLE, NEVER WRECKED OR IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT, REPORTING THE DASHBOARD IS VISIBLY CRACKED ON JULY OF 2016 DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE PREMATURE DEPLOYMENT OR POSSIBLY FAILED OR NO DEPLOYMENT WHEN NECESSARY. THIS MAY CAUSE INJURY OR EVEN DEATH IF THE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY

NHTSA ID

10936817

Incident

Jul 1, 2016

Mileage

193,000 mi

DASHBOARD IS CRACKED, AFFECTING PASSANGER AIRBAGS. MANY 3RD GEN TL'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM, WHICH NEEDS TO BE FIXED PLEASE! HAPPENS OVERNIGHT, AND WORSENS. A DEFECT FROM ACURA.

NHTSA ID

10925289

Incident

Nov 8, 2016