Owners report three main problems: airbags that don't deploy in crashes, airbags deploying without impact, and a widespread Takata recall with delayed repair parts.
Non-deployment during impacts is the most serious complaint. Multiple owners describe crashes where airbags should have fired but didn't. One driver hit another vehicle at 20 mph and suffered whiplash and a torn Achilles tendon; two others were injured and needed medical attention. Another owner rear-ended a vehicle at 35 mph—no airbag deployment, head injuries to driver and passenger. A third rear-ended at 20 mph with injuries. One driver in a head-on collision at 55 mph had zero airbag deployment; two people were injured. A fourth struck a tree at 45 mph; the vehicle caught fire, airbags never deployed, and the driver died with multiple broken bones. Several owners report selective deployment: side airbags deployed but front airbags did not, or vice versa.
Unintended deployment was reported by one owner whose passenger airbag deployed while parked with the door closing—Honda initially agreed to cover costs, then refused, leaving the owner with a $14,000 loan.
Takata recall delays dominate the narratives. Dozens of owners received recall notices (NHTSA 16V346000) in mid-2016 but parts weren't available until fall 2016 or later. Honda's interim guidance told owners not to have passengers sit in the front seat for months. One owner wasn't notified until 40+ days after recall issuance, creating unsafe conditions. Many owners report dealers claiming "no parts available" with no delivery timeline. Some didn't receive second notification of part availability or struggled to schedule appointments.
Dashboard warnings and sensor failures are also cited: SRS indicator lights illuminating intermittently or permanently, passenger airbag weight sensor failures, and loose or open wiring in airbag systems. Repair costs cited: $746 for SRS computer replacement; $100 for diagnostics (denied under warranty by some dealers).
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag non-deployment in crashes
Airbags fail to deploy upon impact from collisions, including rear-end, head-on, and side impacts. Some vehicles show selective deployment (e.g., side deploys but front does not). Owners report this across a range of crash speeds from 20 to 55 mph.
When: Various mileages: 10,000 miles, 33,400 miles, 92,422 miles; timing varies from 2010 forward
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during rear-end collision at 20 mph; No front airbag deployment in head-on crash at 55 mph; No airbag deployment after hitting tree at 45 mph; Side airbag deployed but front airbag did not during rollover; Airbags did not deploy during multiple collision incidents; Selective deployment: side airbags deployed, front did not in rollover at 20 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles towed; some deemed destroyed or required extensive collision repair. Owners report frame replacement, electrical system failures identified in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted in some cases but offered no assistance or recalls were not active at time of failure. One case (narrative #31) dealer noted airbags would sometimes deploy and sometimes not.
Unintended airbag deployment
Front passenger airbag deployed without collision impact, causing injury to occupant. Honda initially agreed to cover costs verbally but later refused, leaving owner with financial liability.
When: September 2014
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag deployed while parked with door closing; Passenger injury from unintended deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Repair costs ~$14,000. Honda initially agreed to cover but later refused; owner left with monthly car payment plus loan payments for repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Honda verbally agreed to cover all costs, then broke agreement
SRS indicator light illumination and sensor failures
Supplemental Restraint System warning light comes on and remains on, or flashes intermittently. Diagnostic testing reveals sensor failures and internal airbag component malfunctions, including passenger airbag weight sensor failure.
When: 97,000 miles; 114,022 miles; intermittent from 2015–2016; 149,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: SRS indicator light flashes on and off intermittently; SRS indicator light stays on permanently; SRS light came on around October 2016; Air bag warning lamp flashes every time passenger sits in front seat; Seat belt warning lamp lit; driver-side seat belt won't secure
Codes mentioned: 92-20: Open or short to ground in passenger airbag cutout indicator, 83-25: Internal failure of front passenger airbag weight sensor
Repairs/costs cited: SRS computer replacement cost cited as $746.28. Diagnostic testing cost $100 (not covered under warranty in some cases). Parts sometimes not available; one dealer performed Takata recall repair but vehicle still had warning light.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers cite parts not available or vehicle not covered under current recall despite similar failures on 341,000 other Accords. Honda states SRS sensors in some vehicles fall outside recall scope based on manufacturing location.
Takata passenger airbag inflator defect—recall delays and parts unavailability
Widespread Takata recall (NHTSA 16V346000) for passenger frontal airbag inflators. Metal fragments can pass through the airbag causing injury. Recall issued mid-2016 but replacement parts not available until fall 2016 or later, with many dealers unable to provide estimated timelines. Owners faced months-long delays with interim instruction to avoid having front-seat passengers.
When: Recall notifications issued June–August 2016; parts availability delayed until fall 2016 or later; some repairs not completed until December 2016 or early 2017 or beyond
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received for defective passenger-side frontal airbag inflator; Metal fragments could pass through airbag causing injury; Parts unavailable months after recall notice
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement passenger-side airbag inflator. Delays ranged from 3–6 months, some longer. One owner waited 6+ months after recall notice issued in July 2016. Another not notified until 40+ days after recall issuance. One owner's repair completed December 2016, six months after notification.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign 16V346000 and Honda recall campaign KA4. Honda instructed owners to avoid front-seat passengers pending repair. Honda offered to notify owners when parts became available and provided rental cars in at least one case, but owners report dealers provided runaround, inconsistent information about part availability, and no follow-up calls when parts arrived.
Roof/structural leak affecting airbag system
Water leaking from roof above driver-side curtain airbag system, entering vehicle interior and wetting front driver's seat. Potential safety and corrosion risk to airbag wiring.
When: 43,100 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Roof above driver-side curtain airbag leaking water; Front driver's seat wet
Repairs/costs cited: Manufacturer case number opened (08427288) but vehicle not repaired; owner advised to bring in vehicle to dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted and case opened; no repair completed
Synthesized from 131 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.