2003 Acura MDX Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 20%of 206 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Acura MDX, 20% of the 206 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 10 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I took my MDX in for recall 15-011 recall srs unit malfunction on 1/20/2016. The vehicle was in perfect working condition when I dropped it off. When I picked the unit up 3 lights are on in the dash srs, airbag off, airbag warning light. I ask the service writer what this is they said the new recall parts are not compatible with my system if I want it repaired it needs a new control unit $1400”
NHTSA complaint #10821260, filed 2016-01, 16,200 miles“The srs (air bag) may fail to deploy in an accident if the driver's seat belt is unbuckled at any point during the drive, even if it is subsequently buckled prior to and during the accident. With the engine running, if I unbuckle the seat belt, the seat belt warning light does not illuminate, however, the srs (air bag) warning light does illuminate. When I start the vehicle the srs and seat belt light are usually both illuminated for the ignition test period of 3-5 seconds. …”
NHTSA complaint #10895986, filed 2016-08, 200,000 miles“I received a recall notice and made an appointment to have my vehicle repaired. Upon taking it to the dealership and them fixing it I drove home my car immediately began running hot. I called the dealership back and he told me to bring it back in. I was issued a loaner vehicle. I received a call stating that my radiator had somehow come loose and that my engine was blown. I was so upset so I called back and told him my mechanic was coming with me now all of a sudden the engine is not blown but instead warped and can be machined. …”
NHTSA complaint #10776501, filed 2015-09, 188,000 miles“My son was driving in town normal speed it was raining, he had to make a quick stop to avoid a car in front of him that made a quick stop also. The bumpers barely touched, left no marks at all, not even to the front license plate. The airbag deployed and black and blued his arm. We received a recall notice for this 2003 MDX. Took it in to libertyville Acura and they fixed one part of the recall but refused to fix the deployed airbag and seatbelts. That's not right! The steering wheel airbag should not have deployed without a crash! What gives. …”
NHTSA complaint #10631736, filed 2014-09, 165,000 miles“My daughters MDX was driven by her son and he had to make a sudden stop under rainy conditions. There was no crash, and the slightest contact with the stopped car in front. There is no damage to either car, the touch was so slight there was not even a scratch nor a bent license plate. To our shock the steering wheel airbag had deployed and safety belts locked up. There is no way that airbag should of deployed. There is a recall for the airbag system. The dealer did part of several parts of the recall, but refused to replace the steering wheel airbag and repair the frozen front seat belts.”
NHTSA complaint #10644041, filed 2014-10, 160,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V499000Jun 27, 2019Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005…Covers: Acura MDX 2003–2006, Honda Element 2003–2011, Accord 2001–2007 +9 more
- 19V501000Jun 27, 2019Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid…Covers: Acura MDX 2003–2006, Honda Element 2003–2011, Ridgeline 2006–2014 +9 more
- 19V182000Mar 6, 2019Honda (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…Covers: Acura MDX 2003–2006, TL 2002–2006, 2009–2014, RDX 2007–2016 +14 more
- 16V344000May 23, 2016Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008…Covers: Acura MDX 2003–2006, Honda Element 2003–2011, Acura RL 2005–2011 +5 more
- 15V370000Jun 15, 2015Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004…Covers: Acura MDX 2003, Honda Civic 2001–2005, Accord 2003–2007 +6 more
- 15V320000May 28, 2015Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid…Covers: Acura MDX 2003–2006, Honda Element 2003–2011, Accord 2001–2007 +9 more
- 15V045000Jan 28, 2015Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured February 13, 2002, to August 13, 2004, and 2003 Acura MDX vehicles…Covers: Acura MDX 2003, Honda Odyssey 2003–2004
- 14V700000Nov 4, 2014American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey…Covers: Acura MDX 2003–2005, Honda Civic 2001–2005, CR-V 2002–2005 +7 more
- 14V353000Jun 20, 2014American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura…Covers: Acura MDX 2003–2005, Honda Civic 2003–2005, Pilot 2003–2005 +6 more
- 13V412000Sep 19, 2013Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Odyssey and model year 2003 Acura MDX vehicles. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag…Covers: Acura MDX 2003, Honda Odyssey 2003–2004
Related service bulletins
- 11034208Jun 30, 2026Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.
- 10172576Mar 10, 2020Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty…
- 10172572Mar 10, 2020Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty…
- 10141183Jun 1, 2018Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty…
- 10139575May 25, 2018Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty…
- 10139574May 24, 2018Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty…
- 10086306Sep 7, 2016Posters sent to hawaiian independent repair facilities, automotive part stores, car washes, and gas stations to remind owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment…
- 10086291Sep 7, 2016Flyer circulated to the residents of hawaii to remind owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment at their earliest convenience.
- 10086288Aug 29, 2016Letter sent in conjunction with the florida highway safety and motor vehicles department to remind florida owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment at their…
- 10086302Aug 21, 2016Advertisement in hawaiian newspapers to remind owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment at their earliest convenience.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 5 | 3% |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 7 | 2% |
| 2015 | 4 | 6% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2012 | 9 | 12% |
| 2011 | 6 | 9% |
| 2010 | 3 | 7% |
| 2009 | 4 | 8% |
| 2008 | 5 | 10% |
| 2007 | 8 | 8% |
| 2006 | 15 | 17% |
| 2005 | 39 | 22% |
| 2004 | 26 | 15% |
| 2003 | 42 | 20% |
| 2002 | 23 | 11% |
| 2001 | 18 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2003 Acura MDX
104 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Acura MDX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology