Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Acura TSX airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Acura TSX have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 TSX | 26 |
| 2010 TSX (this page) | 18 |
| 2011 TSX | 11 |
| 2012 TSX | 6 |
| 2013 TSX | 4 |
2crashes
3injuries
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Acura TSX in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Airbags accounts for 29% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
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 - American Honda is conducting an inspection of certain vehicles that have previously had the passenger's airbag inflator replaced as part of the Takata Passsenger's Airbag Inflator recall. If you completed the repair described by this service bulletin on or before May 10, 2019, make sure to use the Warranty Claim Information provided below.
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 passenger's airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - American Honda is conducting an inspection of certain vehicles that have previously had the passenger's airbag inflator replaced as part of the Takata Passsenger's Airbag Inflator recall.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe four distinct airbag problems on the 2010 TSX. First, one owner's airbags deployed without any collision while the car sat parked and running, injuring her arm and hearing. The dealer blamed a faulty collision sensor but initially denied the warranty claim, claiming the computer logged a prior impact with no visible damage. Only after the owner threatened legal action did American Honda agree to repair it.
Second, airbags failed to deploy in two actual crashes: a 20 mph rear-end impact and a pole strike after hydroplaning. Both drivers sustained injuries without airbag protection. Neither case reached the manufacturer or dealer formally.
Third, the Takata recall (NHTSA 16V346000) paralyzed dozens of owners. Parts were unavailable starting July 2016, with dealers quoting 90–120 day waits or indefinite delays. Some owners waited over a year for replacements while the recall notice forbade front-passenger use—a crippling restriction for families. Manufacturers offered no loaner cars and no firm delivery dates.
Finally, owners report persistent airbag warning lights and system fault announcements on startup, some recurring despite resets. One complained to Acura and received no response. None of these diagnostic faults were repaired in the complaints provided.
Same Acura TSX airbags reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Spontaneous airbag deployment
Airbags deployed without collision or impact while vehicle was parked and running. Owner reported 'CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM' warning before deployment. Dealer blamed collision sensor but found no physical damage; refused initial warranty claim.
When: June 19; owner later repaired after 1+ month delay via manufacturer goodwill
Symptoms owners cite: CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM indicator illuminated; Airbags deployed without impact or collision; Hearing impairment from sudden deployment; Physical impact to left arm from deploying airbag
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer initially refused repair; American Honda performed repair via goodwill gesture after owner threatened legal action. Owner remained uncertain about system reliability post-repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: American Honda agreed to repair via goodwill gesture after threat of lawsuit; no recall or TSB mentioned
Takata recall parts unavailability
NHTSA Campaign 16V346000 (passenger airbag inflator recall) issued May 2016; replacement parts not available for months. Multiple owners reported 90–120+ day waits or longer with no firm delivery date. Manufacturer unable to provide ETA. Vehicle use restricted per recall notice (no front passenger seat), creating hardship for families.
When: Notification July 2016 onward; some cases still unresolved 10+ months and 1+ year later by complaint dates
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification issued but no parts available; Extended vehicle downtime affecting family transportation; Dealerships unable to schedule repairs; No loaner vehicle offered by manufacturer
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 16V346000
Repairs/costs cited: Parts ordered but not received within reasonable timeframe. Owners reported 90–120 day estimates, then continued delays. Some waited over 1 year. Dealers did not fulfill loaner vehicle requests.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V346000; remedy not yet available per multiple complaints; manufacturer could not provide estimated completion date
Airbag non-deployment in crashes
Airbags failed to deploy during two collision events. First: rear-end impact at 20 mph caused mouth and stomach injuries to driver. Second: hydroplane crash into pole at 30 mph resulted in chest injury. Neither impact triggered airbag inflation.
When: Incidents not dated in complaints; failure mileage approx. 88,000 (first incident)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during rear-end collision at 20 mph; Airbags did not deploy during pole impact at 30 mph after hydroplane; Driver injuries sustained (mouth, stomach, chest) without airbag protection
Repairs/costs cited: First vehicle towed to body shop; status unknown. Second vehicle had body damage repaired but airbag system not diagnosed. Neither case notified to manufacturer by owner/dealer.
Airbag warning light and system faults
Owners report illuminated airbag warning lights and continuous fault announcements. One owner reported three warning lights (including airbag) on startup that intermittently disappear. Another reported beeping/warning about airbag system malfunction recurring on each startup, along with seatbelt warnings, post-2019 recall notification.
When: December 11, 2017 (startup); 2019 onward for recurring warnings
Symptoms owners cite: AIR BAG SYSTEM warning light illuminated; Beeping/audible alerts for airbag malfunction on startup; Multiple warning lights including airbag indicator; Intermittent warning that clears and returns; Recurring warnings after vehicle startup
Repairs/costs cited: One owner requested help but no repair attempt documented. Another owner reported to Acura dealer with no response. No parts or repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response from Acura per complaint; no recall or warranty program mentioned
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Acura tsx. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v346000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The interim notice did not give a specific date for when the part would become available. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be…
I called to set up an appointment for the airbags to be replaced and they said they did not have the parts and would order them and call me back. They never received the new airbags and did not call me. I have called again and will call again this week.
The air bag system appears on the scream of the car and its beaping all the time announcing the air bag sistem its bad
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Acura tsx. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v346000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were 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. VIN tool confirms…
Takata recall - dealership notified on july 20th, 2016 and as of september 23, my replacement part has not arrived. (cerritos Acura, ca). I called customer relations and they will forward loaner car request to case manager to possibly supply a loaner car. My complaint to your agency is that I have not had full use of my car for over 2 months now, and there is no expected date in sight. I have…
The recall was issued may 2016. Passengers not allowed in front seat. Remedy still not available. It is september, 14, 2016. I have children and need the seating. My children are catching the bus, or I am borrowing vehicles. It is absolutely imperative we receive a loaner car
Had airbags trouble with your 2010 Acura TSX?
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 2010 Acura TSX?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 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 18 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 68,121 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/2010/Acura/TSX.
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.