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2006 Honda Accord airbags problems
critical
Owners of the 2006 Honda Accord have filed 120 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 110,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Q1 66kmed 110kQ3 159kn=66
Complaints
120
Recalls
8
Avg fix
$1,100
airbags complaints on the Honda Accord, by model year
Of the 120 airbags complaints filed for the 2006 Honda Accord,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
1 (20%)
50-75k
1 (20%)
75-100k
1 (20%)
100-125k
1 (20%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
1 (20%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
All 8 active airbags recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
Airbags accounts for 28% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
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.
Fix: 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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
An air bag module does not meet the advanced air bag requirements can increase the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash.
Fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JZ3.
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.
Fix: 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 NHTSA 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
On certain passenger vehicles, on the frontal airbag system where the two external impact sensors is mounted, near the front headlights the front impact sensor bolts were not properly torqued
If the bolts loosen or fall out, the sensor may fail to properly detect a crash, possibly resulting in delayed or non-deployment of the front airbag increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and remove the bumper and retorque the loose bolts. The recall began on november 7, 2005. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 and Acura at 1-800-382-2238.
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 BulletinA20-015May 2022
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.
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.
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.
Service bulletin - This bulletin has been cancelled because the collection is now complete. If you did the collection in this Service Bulletin on or before October 26, 2018 (RO date), use the Warranty Claim Information provided below.
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 front passengers airbag inflator only.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Honda Accord has a serious airbag system problem tracked across 120 complaints. Owners report three broad categories of failure.
Unwanted deployments: Airbags deploying without any impact—while starting the car, turning into parking lots, or driving at low speeds with no accident. Multiple owners report passenger-side curtain airbags firing from minor road hazards like potholes. One owner's airbags fired while the vehicle was simply being started in a driveway at -12°F.
Failure to deploy in crashes: Multiple owners describe significant accidents—rollovers at highway speeds, T-bone collisions, high-speed multi-roll crashes—where airbags did not deploy, leaving occupants with head, chest, neck, and spine injuries. One owner hit a guardrail multiple times during inclement weather with no airbag deployment; another was hit at 70 mph by a car running a red light with zero airbag response.
Warning light and SRS unit problems: After recall repairs, owners repeatedly report the SRS warning light coming on and staying on. Dealers tell them the SRS (Safety Restraint System) control unit has failed and needs replacement at costs around $730–$1,000. Owners believe the recall repair itself caused the SRS unit failure. Dealers also report airbag sensor problems, with repair shops unable or unwilling to diagnose root causes. Parts remain unavailable for extended periods, delaying recall completion.
Owners also report inadequate dealer investigation—one dealership claimed sensors must be hit directly to trigger deployment, and another dealership incorrectly completed only half of a two-airbag recall.
Same Honda Accord airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended airbag deployment at low or zero speed
Airbags deploying without collision impact while starting the vehicle, during slow turns in parking lots, or at very low speeds (5-35 mph). Owners describe minimal or no vehicle damage but significant airbag system activation.
When: Mileage varies; examples include 36,000 miles, 115,000 miles. Some occur immediately upon engine start; others during routine driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deploys while starting the car with no impact; Passenger-side curtain airbags deploy from minor road hazards like potholes; Both driver and passenger airbags deploy during slow parking lot turn with only paint scrapes; Driver-side airbag deploys twice while driving at normal speeds with no accident; Airbag deploys at 5 mph when vehicle accelerates uncontrollably
Codes mentioned:SRS codes indicating collision detected (when no collision occurred)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement airbag costs cited as $2,000+. Multiple owners unable to get warranty coverage due to out-of-warranty status or dealer claim of prior collision.
Airbags do not deploy during high-speed crashes, rollovers, T-bone collisions, and other impacts that should trigger deployment. Occupants sustain serious injuries.
When: Mileage range 70,000–236,000 miles. One failure at 98,000 miles during Takata recall cases.
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during rollover at 65 mph (rolled ~10 times); No airbag deployment during rollover at highway speed after lost control; No airbag deployment during T-bone collision at intersection; No airbag deployment during crash into guardrail multiple times in inclement weather; No airbag deployment during multi-roll crash; vehicle destroyed; No airbag deployment during 70 mph impact after swerving to avoid dog; vehicle rolled 3+ times; Delayed airbag deployment (several seconds after impact) during 25 mph collision
Codes mentioned:No codes reported; failure to detect impact conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles declared total loss by insurance. One owner reports airbag control unit bolts failed; unit bolts required replacement at dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claims sensors must be hit directly to trigger deployment. No investigation performed in multiple cases. Honda America instructed insurance company to determine cause; insurer could not inspect vehicle.
SRS warning light and control unit failure post-recall
After airbag recall repair, SRS warning light illuminates and remains on continuously or intermittently. Dealers diagnose SRS (control) unit failure requiring replacement. Owners suspect recall repair procedure damaged the unit.
When: Typically appears within weeks to months after recall repair. One case within 1 month of replacement; another after 3-month wait for initial repair.
Symptoms owners cite: SRS warning light comes on and stays on after recall repair; SRS warning light comes on and off intermittently while driving; SRS warning light remains illuminated continuously on dashboard; Airbag indicator light stays illuminated; dealership unable to repair
Codes mentioned:SRS unit malfunction codes
Repairs/costs cited: SRS unit replacement cost $730–$1,000. Dealers claim unit failure unrelated to airbag recall work, despite timing correlation. One dealership fraudulently billed for 6 hours of work without performing repair; glove box remained locked, preventing airbag access.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda denies warranty coverage; states SRS failure not caused by recall repair. Claims no connection to prior airbag work despite clear temporal relationship. Takata recall campaign numbers 15V370000 and 15V320000 referenced.
Airbag sensor malfunction and warning light
SRS warning light illuminates due to defective seat position sensor or airbag sensor failure. Owners report intermittent or persistent warning light with dealer recommendations for expensive sensor replacement not covered under recall.
When: Mileage range 95,000–120,000 miles typically.
Symptoms owners cite: SRS/airbag warning light illuminated on instrument panel; Airbag indicator light stays illuminated continuously; SRS light comes on and off sporadically while driving or starting vehicle; Driver seat position sensor cable torn from seat movement
Codes mentioned:Seat position sensor fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Seat position sensor or airbag sensor replacement costs $290–$700+. One owner reports Honda recalled 81,000 Accords (2004–2005 models) for this issue but 2006 models not included despite identical problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda declined to extend recall to 2006 models; stated vehicle not included in campaign 07V001000 or other sensor recall campaigns.
Incomplete recall repair and multiple airbag failure modes
Dealers replace only one airbag when both driver and passenger side require replacement per recall. Additionally, Takata recall inflators present in vehicles not originally covered. Recall notice shows only partial fix was performed.
When: After 3-month wait for first repair in one case; owner received second recall notice realizing only driver-side replaced initially.
Symptoms owners cite: Dealer replaced only driver-side airbag; passenger-side airbag still defective per second recall notice; Vehicle has Takata defective inflators but not included in initial recall scope
Repairs/costs cited: Owner had to return for second repair after discovering first visit incomplete. Concerns raised that many owners may not realize both airbags need replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaigns 15V320000 and 15V370000 for Takata airbags. Initial repair only addressed one side; second recall required for other side.
Violent airbag deployment with metal fragmentation (Takata inflator)
During crash, airbag deployer violently with metal fragments ejected from inflator, striking occupant face and arms. Consistent with Takata defective inflator rupture.
When: 98,000 miles; vehicle involved in unintended acceleration crash at 20 mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side airbag deployed violently, sending metal fragments into air; Metal fragments struck contact's face and left arm; Lacerations sustained on three vertebrae; Passenger-side airbag deployed normally without fragmentation
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; not repaired. Takata inflator rupture characteristics.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle included in NHTSA campaigns 15V370000 and 15V320000 for airbag/inflator defects. Manufacturer notified; contact referred to airbag recall line and advised to seek legal assistance.
Delayed airbag deployment causing burn injuries
Airbag deploys several seconds after impact rather than instantly, allowing occupant to suffer airbag-related burns from delayed deployment force.
When: 25 mph collision in 25 mph zone.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed several seconds after impact, not immediately upon collision; Deployment caused bad burns and blisters to occupant's hand; Repair shop and police could not explain why airbag deployed at such low speed
Repairs/costs cited: Owner self-treated burns; took months for hand appearance to normalize. Repair of vehicle took longer than normal.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented. Owner states recent recalls prompted complaint.
Parts unavailability delaying recall completion
Owners receive recall notices but dealers cannot schedule repairs due to parts not being available. Manufacturer unable to provide estimated delivery dates, leaving vehicles in unsafe recalled state for extended periods.
When: Multiple reports spanning 2014–2015 period.
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received; parts unavailable to schedule repair within reasonable timeframe; Dealer unable to provide specific date for parts availability; Manufacturer unable to provide estimated recall repair date
Repairs/costs cited: No repair possible until parts arrive; vehicle remains in recalled condition.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign numbers 14V351000, 15V320000, 15V370000, and 19V182000 cited. Manufacturer states no time frame available for parts delivery.
Safety restraint system harness retractor failure
Seat belt retractor fails to function during crash, leaving occupant unrestrained. Occurs in conjunction with airbag failure to deploy.
When: 24,000 miles; 50 mph crash into palm tree.
Symptoms owners cite: Safety harness retractor failed during crash; Airbags did not deploy
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to junkyard; not diagnosed by dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Synthesized from 120 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
6 most recent
airbags · 120,000 mi
· filed 12/29/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda accord. The contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver's seat needed to be removed for the sensor to be checked, and the driver's side air bag needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not…
airbags · 52,834 mi
· filed 12/27/2015
I was driving with my wife around 1230am 12/27/15 last night from a friends house to our home about a 5 mile drive when the driver's side airbag went off for no reason. The road I was on was a local road. I was driving normal and safely because it was late and very dark at the time. It exploded twice. I was sitting in the driver position. My wife in the front passenger seat felt a blast on her…
airbags · 42,500 mi
· filed 12/22/2015
Honda dealer replaced an airbag and now my airbag light keeps coming on. Dealer says I now have to replace my SRS system for $800.00. I have spoken with american Honda and they have distanced themselves from the dealer. I have spoken to the gm of tampa Honda, [xxx] and the service manager [xxx] and they both say one has nothing to do with the other. I feel that I am a victim of deceptive trade…
airbags · 175,000 mi
· filed 12/21/2019
I took my car for the recall and now the airbag sensor light comes on and off and occasionally will stay on. I take it back to the same dealership who charged me $150 for diagnostic to say it's a short or something now in the same passenger air bag they installed. It will cost $300 to fix. Seems like others are having this issue so is this a scam? This needs to be corrected and I need a refund…
airbags
· filed 12/15/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda accord. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v351000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
airbags · 81,681 mi
· filed 12/13/2014
I have the takata airbags that are defective according to consumers magazine(jan, 2015 issue, pp.56-57. My local Honda dealer, muller Honda of highland park, insist the car is safe and the vehicle does not have a defective bag and; therefore, nothing needs to be done for the vehicle. I have an appointment with the dealership set for tuesday, 12/23/14 to check a light that is lit up constantly…
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Honda Accord?
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 Honda Accord?
It's a serious issue. 120 complaints have been filed, including 29 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 66 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 66,000 and 159,000 miles, with the median around 110,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 66,000; a quarter make it past 159,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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?
Yes — 8 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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/Honda/Accord.
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.