Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Acura MDX airbags problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
3crashes
1injury
What stands out
Among the 13 model years of Acura MDX in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects to the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2006 Acura MDX vehicles repeatedly cite Takata airbag inflator defects triggered by multiple NHTSA recalls (14V351000, 15V320000, 16V334000, 16V344000) spanning 2014–2016. The core complaint: recall parts are unavailable or perpetually backordered, and dealerships cannot deliver repairs within any reasonable timeframe despite manufacturer promises of 3–5 business-day scheduling. Several owners report waiting 6 weeks or more with no firm repair date. One owner encountered unknown wiring obstructing the airbag module, preventing replacement; the dealership wanted to cut the wire without assuming liability. Dealers have refused to assist owners who relocated outside their service area, even when owners offered to pay travel costs.
Two separate incidents describe airbags that failed to deploy during collisions (one rear-end at 45 mph, one wildlife strike at 40 mph). One owner was injured in an uncontrolled parking maneuver where the vehicle accelerated despite brake application; the airbag deployed correctly, but the owner sustained significant trauma (bruising, nosebleed, neck and chest injury, back pain). Insurance totaled the car, and Acura refused to inspect the accelerator until the vehicle was restored to factory condition.
The overarching pattern: unresolved recalls, unavailable parts, unresponsive dealerships, and at least two confirmed airbag non-deployments.
Same Acura MDX airbags reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger-side airbag inflator rupture or defect (Takata recall-related)
Passenger-side airbag inflators subject to NHTSA recall campaigns (14V351000, 15V320000, 16V334000, 16V344000) cited as defective and prone to rupture, potentially deadly or injurious. Multiple owners report inability to obtain recall repair parts or scheduling within reasonable timeframes. One owner reports obstructed wiring at airbag module preventing replacement attempt.
When: Recalls issued starting 2014–2016; unrepaired units still in use as of 2016–2017
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received for defective airbag inflator; Parts unavailable at dealership despite recall issued; Excessive delay in parts availability and repair scheduling; Dealership unable to schedule or complete recall repair; Unidentified wiring obstruction preventing safe airbag replacement at module
Codes mentioned: 14V351000, 15V320000, 16V334000, 16V344000
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger-side airbag inflator replacement required by recall; one owner reports dealership quoted ~$300 for diagnostic without guarantee of replacement; parts sourcing delayed 6+ weeks or indefinite in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recalls 14V351000, 15V320000, 16V334000, 16V344000 (Takata airbag defect). Manufacturer (Honda/Acura) promised 3–5 business day scheduling but failed to honor commitments; parts distribution issues cited throughout; some dealerships refused to assist owners outside service area despite offered reimbursement
Airbag failure to deploy in collision
Two owners report airbags did not deploy during crash or animal-strike events. One collision occurred at 45 mph rear-end; another at 40 mph elk strike. No injuries in either case, but deployment failure is a safety concern.
When: Incidents at 202,185 miles (narrative #5); mileage unknown for narrative #14
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag did not deploy during rear-end collision at 45 mph; Airbag did not deploy during wildlife collision at 40 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles not diagnosed or repaired following incidents
Airbag deployment associated with unintended acceleration collision
One owner describes loss of brake function or unintended acceleration while parking at low speed (15 feet before wall). Vehicle accelerated despite brake pedal depression. Airbag deployed on impact; owner sustained multiple injuries (bruises, nosebleed, neck contusion, chest trauma, back pain). Narrative also references unrelated accelerator defect and dealer refusal to inspect without vehicle restoration.
When: March (3/9) on date not specified; injury recovery ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerated uncontrollably while parking; Brake pedal ineffective during parking maneuver; Airbag deployed on impact with wall; Smoke and alarm discharge upon deployment; Owner sustained severe bruising, nosebleed, swollen face, neck laceration from seatbelt, chest contusion, back pain
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle declared total loss by insurance; not repaired. Owner requested accelerator inspection before towing but Acura refused without vehicle restoration first
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Acura mdx. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v351000 (air bags). The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to be repaired within a reasonable amount of time. The dealer was contacted, but did not provide an estimated date for when the vehicle could be repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle would be scheduled for repair…
Takata recall - I have contacted criswell Acura in annapolis, md twice to schedule the recall repair; 8/10/2016, 9/6/2016. The first time I was told I would receive a return call to schedule an appointment and was never called back. The second time I was told to leave a message with jeanette is service, which I did, and once again did not receive a call back. It is now november and I have not…
I am the owner of this automobile & had this matter taken care of summer 2016. I took it to superior Acura of dayton; 60 loop rd. Centerville, ohio 45459. Business # (937)435-5115. The passenger frontal airbag inflator was replace free of charge. I'm sure someone there will be able to call here & clarify. My name is [xxx]. Thank you information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information…
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Acura MDX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Acura MDX?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 151,149 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Acura/MDX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.