Honda is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL

Jun 27, 2019 — Recall Campaign #19V499000

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.

The recall was influenced by the Office of Defects Investigation with about 3,947 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

19V499000

Manufacturer:	Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Recall date:	June 27, 2019
NHTSA Campaign #:	19V499000
Units affected:	3,947

Description:: 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.
Consequeces:: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Corrective action:: 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.
Notes:: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affects the following:

2003 ACURA CL Complaints
I purchased this vehicle in March 2021 and noticed the issue with the transmission the first time I operated the vehicle. There is a grinding sound whenever the transmission is placed in third gear. I brought the car to Acura by Executive in Wallingford, CT at some point in 2021 to enquire about the issue. I was informed by the service advisor that the problem is a known issue but because there is no recall on the issue and the vehicle is out of warranty Acura is not required to resolve it. Recently I came across service bulletin 08-018 and noticed where it stated that after warranty expiration a repair may be eligible for goodwill consideration. I called Acura Customer Service, was given case #15843108, and told to acquire a formal diagnosis from an Acura dealership. The diagnosis from Acura of Berlin in Berlin, CT verified that the symptoms were the result of the faulty transmission as described in the TSB. I submitted this information to Acura Customer Service and was informed on September 29, 2025, that due to the age of the vehicle Acura will not compensate me fully or partially for the repair. In my view, although this is an older vehicle, it has low mileage at 102.000 miles and is therefore expected to be on the road for many years. The transmission only grinds at this point, but it may start to pop out of third gear in the future as described in the TSB. I consider this a safety issue in that the transmission popping out of gear unexpectedly would result in some loss of control of the vehicle. I don't expect Acura to fully compensate me for this repair but in light of this problem being a known and documented issue with this vehicle and all the parts for repair are still available I would expect that Acura would stand by its product and offer to contribute to the total cost of this repair.;
2003 ACURA TL Complaints
It's like when my transmission gets warmed up the RPM's will rev up and then it will come out of gear. Then I have to pull over put it in park and turn the car off. Let it sit for a minute or two then it will drive fine for 10 to 15 minutes before doing it again.;
2004 HONDA ODYSSEY Complaints
On XXX while traveling at approximately 50 mph on a smooth highway, both front airbags and the seatbelt pretensioners spontaneously deployed and exploded without warning. There was absolutely no collision, crash, road debris, or pothole impact. There were no vehichles in front or behind me. The vehicle continued smoothly for 100 yards post-blast. The vehicle's exterior and undercarriage remain completely undamaged. COMPONENTS FAILED: The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) electronic control unit failed catastrophically. The explosive blast shattered the windshield, locked the seatbelt assemblies, and inflicted immediate blast-induced acoustic trauma/severe tinnitus. The vehicle is completely disabled but safely secured on private property and is available for immediate physical inspection. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER CONFIRMATION: The manufacturer (American Honda Corporate) has officially cross-referenced this vehicle and confirmed that the safety remedy for the known SRS control unit defect (NHTSA Recall Campaign 13V-412) was previously performed on XXX, at an authorized dealer (Billy Wood Honda in [XXX]). This incident represents a catastrophic failure of a certified manufacturer safety remedy. American Honda Corporate has opened a high-priority Level 1 Product Liability Investigation under Corporate Case Number XXX. RISK AND WARNING SYMPTOMS: Driver safety was put at extreme risk due to an unprovoked explosive detonation at highway speeds, causing temporary blindness from white smoke and sudden hearing deprivation. The SRS warning lamp was confirmed illuminated immediately following the zero-impact deployment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6);
2005 HONDA CIVIC Complaints
Pushrods going through engine and shredding bottom half of motor. I know many 05 Honda civic owners who have had the same issues;
2005 HONDA CIVIC GX Complaints
TAKATA RECALL. WHEN I WIPED THE DASHBOARD OF MY CIVIC RECENTLY, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER FELT TACKY/STICKY. THE REST OF THE DASH WAS PERFECTLY SMOOTH AND NON-STICKY. WHEN I TRIED TO CLEAN THE AIRBAG COVER, THE PAINT STARTED COMING OFF AND THERE WAS A LAYER OF VERY THICK, BLACK, TAR-LIKE GRIME UNDERNEATH. THE HONDA DEALER REPLACED THE TAKATA AIRBAG 2.5 YEARS AGO, AND SINCE THEN NOTHING HAD TOUCHED THE COVER (NO SPILLS, NO CLEANING PRODUCTS OR OTHER CHEMICALS). THE CAR IS GARAGED MOST OF THE TIME AND SPENDS LESS TIME IN THE SUN THAN MOST CARS. I SHOWED THE TAR/GRIME TO THE HONDA DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO IDEA WHY THE COVER WAS LIKE THAT AND COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM NOW VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE AIRBAG (DID THE DEALER REPLACE MINE WITH A REFURBISHED ONE?). I'D BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE MORE PHOTOS OR BRING THE CAR TO A REASONABLY CLOSE NHTSA LOCATION TO BE EXAMINED, IF THAT WOULD HELP. THANKS.;