VehicleVerdict

2002 Acura MDX airbags problems

The 2002 Acura MDX has 23 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

23

Airbags complaints

10%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Related recalls

20V027000AirbagsJanuary 17, 2020 · 875,966 units

Defect

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2001-2002 Acura 3.2CL, 2000-2003 Acura 3.5RL, 2000-2001 Acura 3.2TL, Honda CR-V and Honda Odyssey, 2001-2002 Acura MDX and 2000 Accord Coupe, Accord Sedan, Civic Coupe, and Civic Sedan vehicles. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver frontal air bag module as part of a vehicle repair. Due to a manufacturing issue, the replacement NADI inflator may absorb moisture, causing the inflator to rupture or the air bag cushion to underinflate.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag cushion may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bags in the vehicles, replacing the driver frontal air bag inflator with an inflator of a different design, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact American Honda's Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.

What owners report

WHILE DRIVING AND UPON HITTING THE BRAKES VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE THEN HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT STOP. HITTING THE BACK OF A THIRD VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 30, 2004 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2002 Acura MDX have?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the 2002 Acura MDX airbags — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Acura MDX airbags?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the airbags: 20V027000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.