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2003 Acura MDX: airbag warning light

14 of the 206 complaints about the 2003 Acura MDX describe airbag warning light.

owner complaints
14
of this car's complaints
7%
typical mileage
70,974
recalls
10
Is there a fix? There are 10 recalls and 58 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Airbag warning light by model year

What owners say

Filed Nov 9, 2020 · Electrical · 119,195 miles · NY

The mdx SRS malfunction-electrical noise surges. The car is making electrical noise surges, I cannot start the car. The shift interlock, when I put the car in park it continues to roll.

Filed Mar 6, 2020 · Brakes, Fuel system · 90 miles · FL

Multiple safety and recalls on this vehicle including air bag system,ABS,transmission shift sensor, emission build up causing clogging in exhaust system, map sensor torque converters, differential issues,rough idle and shift interlock solenoid issues. Fluid leaks and brake sticks also air bag light wont go off.

Filed Feb 1, 2020 · Airbags · MA

Airbag lights are on. Passenger seat airbag light blinks even if no body is in the car. And on the dashboard the red airbag light is on

Filed Nov 14, 2018 · Airbags, Engine · 59,000 miles · CA

2003 acura mdx has so many issues and it's affecting a lot of other owners. Srs airbag light issue 61-10 that needs the seat belt replacement and the engine mounts need replacement . Seems like the front and side engine failure is common

Filed Oct 7, 2016 · Airbags · 114,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura mdx. While driving 70 MPH, a metal piece of a street sign that was lying on the ground struck the contact's vehicle. The metal bar split the control arm in two. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was not injured and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2016 · Airbags, Seat belts · 200,000 miles · MA

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. If I don't buckle the seat belt, the seat belt warning light will remain illuminated and the SRS light will go out after the 3-5 second test period after the ignition is turned on. Once I buckle the seat belt, the seat belt warning light goes out. If I then unbuckle the seat belt while the engine is running (ignition remains on) the seat belt warning light does not come on, but the SRS warning light does come on. If I then buckle the seat belt again, the SRS warning light stays on until I turn off the ignition. Once I restart the engine and buckle the seat belt, the SRS warning light will go out. In addition, I have witnessed numerous occasions when the SRS warning light illuminated without any action towards the seat belt buckle. This leads me to believe that there are cases where the switch fails even when the seat belt remains buckled. It is my understanding, that while the SRS warning light is illuminated, the SRS (air bag) will not deploy during an accident. If this were to happen, even though the seat belt is buckled, the SRS would fail to deploy. My research indicates that a failure of the switch in the driver's seat belt buckle causes this condition and that replacement of the seat belt buckle assembly is required to remedy this.

Filed Jan 20, 2016 · Airbags · 16,200 miles · CO

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

Filed Jun 1, 2015 · Airbags · 70,974 miles · AZ

In october of 2014 SRS light came on in my 2003 acura md. Acura reported faulty SRS unit and replaced unit at owners expense. At same service appointment, acura replaced air bag inflator under recall (sb 14-029) under warranty. Subsequently, another airbag recall (sb-14-023) was completed 12/9/14. Srs unit now placed on recall list by the federal safety agency. Owner applied to american honda for reimbursement of costs to replace defective SRS unit (10/14) but was denied because "there was no deployment of air bag prior to the replacement" (10/14). I'm confused. This particular year/model SRS unit is being recalled/replaced due to the potential for life threatening deployment problems. In addition there were several other recalls associated with this model's airbag system clearly indicating that there were/are problems with the 2003 acura mdx. Fortunately, my SRS unit in question was replaced (for noted defects) prior to a disastrous deployment. As such, why am I not being reimbursed for the prior replacement of my unit that has now been placed on the recall list?

Filed Mar 2, 2015 · Airbags · 126,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 acura mdx. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the front passenger side air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. In addition, the navigation system failed to function properly. The failure recurred the same day that the vehicle was repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v349000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2015 · Airbags, Brakes · 165,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 acura mdx. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 MPH, the brake pedal was applied and traveled to the floor board as the seat belt pretensioners deployed inadvertently and fractured. Additionally, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that both drivers side and front passenger side seat belt pretensioners needed to be replaced. The contact did not disclose if the vehicle was repaired or not. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.

Filed Sep 13, 2004 · Airbags · 15,000 miles · NY · fire

The airbag light on my 2003 acura mdx came on 9/1/04. Acura bedford hills looked at the car on 9/2/04 and said there was a problem with the passenger airbag sensor, it was "safe to drive", and they'd order a new part. On 9/4/04, the car became fully engulfed in flames within 5 minutes of when we started the vehicle. The fire began under the passenger seat (I was sitting on it). The car was totaled, and my insurance company has hired a fire investigator. Acura has done nothing to date.

Filed Nov 5, 2003 · Airbags, Seat belts · 11,400 miles · TX

When the vehicle ran over a bump in road the seat belt retractor receded and locked up. The passenger side air bag light also illuminated. The driver was unable to release the seat belt from the retractor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to have the mechanic check out the driver's seat belt retractor. *ak the dealer indicated that the seat belt repair was not covered under warranty. The consumer was told that the seat belts were designed to lock up in certain situations. *ts

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported June 27, 2019 · 3,947 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (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 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

Recall number 19V499000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported June 27, 2019 · 1,657,752 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (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, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.

Recall number 19V501000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported March 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (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, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Risk
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

Recall number 19V182000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported May 23, 2016 · 1,790,894 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (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 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

Recall number 16V344000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported June 15, 2015 · 3,498,481 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the passenger seat occupant or other occupants possibly causing serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JU4, JU5, JU6, and JU7. Note: Vehicles that have already received a replacement passenger air bag inflator as part of the recall remedy for an earlier campaign such as 14V353 or 14V700 (Honda recall numbers S95, JH6, JH7, JH8, JH9, JJ0, JJ1, JJ2, JJ6, JM5 and JM6) are not included in this recall. However, this recall does supersede 13V132 and 14V349. Note: On December 18, 2015 Honda informed the federal safety agency of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2004 Honda CR-V vehicles in addition to additional model year 2003 CR-V vehicles.

Recall number 15V370000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported May 28, 2015 · 6,281,043 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (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, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1‑800‑382‑2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V‑593, 09V‑259, 10V‑041, 11V‑260, 14V‑351 and 15V‑153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.

Recall number 15V320000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported January 28, 2015 · 374,177 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured February 13, 2002, to August 13, 2004, and 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to September 23, 2003. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Risk
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Honda dealers will replace the supplemental restraint system electronic control unit (SRS ECU). The recall began on February 22, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009. Honda's number for this recall is JN6 (Odyssey), and JN7 (MDX). Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V‑412. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for that campaign need to have the SRS ECU replaced under this campaign.

Recall number 15V045000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported November 4, 2014
What is wrong
American 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, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.

Recall number 14V700000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported June 20, 2014 · 133,207 vehicles affected
What is wrong
American 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 MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.

Recall number 14V353000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported September 19, 2013 · 374,618 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda 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 control module may fail causing the front air bags, side curtain air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Risk
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a noise suppressor unit, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2013. A renotification letter went out on July 11, 2014 for the 2003 Acura and the 2003-2004 Odyssey. Owners may contact Honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009. Honda's recall numbers are JC2 (Honda Odyssey) and JC3 (Acura MDX).

Recall number 13V412000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2003 Acura MDX airbag light

Is airbag warning light a common problem on the 2003 Acura MDX?

14 of 206 owner complaints about the 2003 Acura MDX (7%) mention airbag warning light. The model year with the most reports is 2002.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Acura MDX?

There are 10 recalls and 58 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2003 Acura MDX

Transmission failure 34Slipping 17Shudder 12Check engine light 10Engine failure 9Loss of power 5Stalling 5

All model years of the Acura MDX

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