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2003 Acura MDX

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Power train is the leading concern among 212 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 24 MDX model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  3. 212

Of the 2003 reports, 13 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train104 reports · 49% of complaints
Owner complaints212Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship13 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train104
  2. Air bags44
  3. Electrical system18
  4. Engine and engine cooling16
  5. Seat belts12
  6. Engine10
  7. Service brakes10
  8. Other or unspecified10

Recalls and investigations

  1. Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalOct 10, 2019

    Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

    If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5. Dorman's number for this recall is AS1019XXXX.

    Campaign 19E068000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger 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.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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.

    Campaign 19V501000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleJun 27, 2019

    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.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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.

    Campaign 19V499000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMar 6, 2019

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 19V182000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleMay 23, 2016

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.

    Campaign 16V344000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 15, 2015

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured March 21, 2000, to January 20, 2005, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX vehicles manufactured June 14, 2000, to August 19, 2004, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2002, to January 18, 2005, 2003-2007 Honda Accord vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to August 28, 2007, 2002-2004 Honda CR-V vehicles, 2002-2003 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured June 19, 2001, to July 12, 2003, 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured September 19, 2002, to June 19, 2003, 2003 Honda Element vehicles manufactured June 25, 2002, to July 31, 2003, and 2003 Honda Pilot vehicles manufactured November 26, 2001, to August 21, 2003. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 15V370000 on NHTSA.gov

  7. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMay 28, 2015

    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 15V320000 on NHTSA.gov

  8. Air bags, frontalJan 28, 2015

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured February 13, 2002, to August 13, 2004, and 2003 Acura MDX vehicles manufactured February 21, 2002, to September 23, 2003. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.

    Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

    Honda dealers will replace the supplemental restraint system electronic control unit (SRS ECU). The recall began on February 22, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JN6 (Odyssey), and JN7 (MDX). Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-412. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for that campaign need to have the SRS ECU replaced under this campaign.

    Campaign 15V045000 on NHTSA.gov

  9. Air bagsNov 4, 2014

    American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

    Campaign 14V700000 on NHTSA.gov

  10. Air bagsJun 20, 2014

    American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.

    Campaign 14V353000 on NHTSA.gov

  11. Air bagsSep 19, 2013

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Odyssey and model year 2003 Acura MDX vehicles. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front air bags, side curtain air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.

    Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

    Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a noise suppressor unit, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2013. A renotification letter went out on July 11, 2014 for the 2003 Acura and the 2003-2004 Odyssey. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's recall numbers are JC2 (Honda Odyssey) and JC3 (Acura MDX).

    Campaign 13V412000 on NHTSA.gov

  12. Electrical system, ignition, switchDec 11, 2012

    Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Pilot and Odyssey and 2003 through 2006 Acura MDX passenger vehicles manufactured from November 26, 2001, through August 30, 2006. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.

    Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Honda will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicle to a Honda or Acura dealer. The dealer will install an updated shift interlock lever and, if necessary, replace any necessary part of the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

    Campaign 12V573000 on NHTSA.gov

  13. Equipment, mechanical, carrier/rackFeb 5, 2008

    HONDA IS RECALLING 2,032 HITCH STYLE BIKE RACKS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE ON MY 2003-2007 AND SOME MY 2008 HONDA PILOT, RIDGELINE, AND ACURA MDX VEHICLES. A PINCH BOLT EXISTS BETWEEN THE BIKE ARM BRACKET AND THE UPRIGHT ASSEMBLY OF THE "HITCH" STYLE BICYCLE RACK.

    WHEN MOVING THE BIKE ARM BRACKET TO ITS DOWN POSITION, THIS PINCH BOLT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING SEVERE LACERATION OR AMPUTATION TO THE USER'S FINGERTIPS OR HAND.

    OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THULE AT 800-THULE91 (800-848-5391) TO OBTAIN A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OR OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

    Campaign 08E013000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: seat belts

12 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Seat belts, Aug 11, 2021

    Unknown, but since I bought the car I encountered a problem with the rear seatbelts, they do not work and I am about to be a grandmother and it is important and is a safety issue,

  2. Air bags, Seat belts, Engine, Nov 14, 2018

    2003 ACURA MDX HAS SO MANY ISSUES AND IT'S AFFECTING A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS. SRS AIRBAG LIGHT ISSUE 61-10 THAT NEEDS THE SEAT BELT REPLACEMENT AND THE ENGINE MOUNTS NEED REPLACEMENT . SEEMS LIKE THE FRONT AND SIDE ENGINE FAILURE IS COMMON

  3. Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 15, 2016

    THE SRS (AIR BAG) MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT IF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT IS UNBUCKLED AT ANY POINT DURING THE DRIVE, EVEN IF IT IS SUBSEQUENTLY BUCKLED PRIOR TO AND DURING THE ACCIDENT. WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, IF I UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE, HOWEVER, THE SRS (AIR BAG) WARNING LIGHT DOES ILLUMINATE. WHEN I START THE VEHICLE THE SRS AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ARE USUALLY BOTH ILLUMINATED FOR THE IGNITION TEST PERIOD OF 3-5 SECONDS. IF I DON'T BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT WILL REMAIN ILLUMINATED AND THE SRS LIGHT WILL GO OUT AFTER THE 3-5 SECOND TEST PERIOD AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON. ONCE I BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT GOES OUT. IF I THEN UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING (IGNITION REMAINS ON) THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON, BUT THE SRS WARNING LIGHT DOES COME ON. IF I THEN BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT AGAIN, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL I TURN OFF THE IGNITION. ONCE I RESTART THE ENGINE AND BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT WILL GO OUT. IN ADDITION, I HAVE WITNESSED NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHEN THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT ANY ACTION TOWARDS THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE CASES WHERE THE SWITCH FAILS EVEN WHEN THE SEAT BELT REMAINS BUCKLED. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, THAT WHILE THE SRS WARNING LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED, THE SRS (AIR BAG) WILL NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, EVEN THOUGH THE SEAT BELT IS BUCKLED, THE SRS WOULD FAIL TO DEPLOY. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT A FAILURE OF THE SWITCH IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAUSES THIS CONDITION AND THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY IS REQUIRED TO REMEDY THIS.

  4. Air bags, Seat belts, Service brakes, Feb 3, 2015

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BOARD AS THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND FRACTURED. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT DISCLOSE IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED OR NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

  5. Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 3, 2014

    MY DAUGHTERS MDX WAS DRIVEN BY HER SON AND HE HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS. THERE WAS NO CRASH, AND THE SLIGHTEST CONTACT WITH THE STOPPED CAR IN FRONT. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER CAR, THE TOUCH WAS SO SLIGHT THERE WAS NOT EVEN A SCRATCH NOR A BENT LICENSE PLATE. TO OUR SHOCK THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED AND SAFETY BELTS LOCKED UP. THERE IS NO WAY THAT AIRBAG SHOULD OF DEPLOYED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE DEALER DID PART OF SEVERAL PARTS OF THE RECALL, BUT REFUSED TO REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG AND REPAIR THE FROZEN FRONT SEAT BELTS.

  6. Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 9, 2014

    MY SON WAS DRIVING IN TOWN NORMAL SPEED IT WAS RAINING, HE HAD TO MAKE A QUICK STOP TO AVOID A CAR IN FRONT OF HIM THAT MADE A QUICK STOP ALSO. THE BUMPERS BARELY TOUCHED, LEFT NO MARKS AT ALL, NOT EVEN TO THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND BLACK AND BLUED HIS ARM. WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS 2003 MDX. TOOK IT IN TO LIBERTYVILLE ACURA AND THEY FIXED ONE PART OF THE RECALL BUT REFUSED TO FIX THE DEPLOYED AIRBAG AND SEATBELTS. THAT'S NOT RIGHT! THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED WITHOUT A CRASH! WHAT GIVES. A RECALL WITHOUT REPAIRS IS NOTHING BUT LIP SERVICE. HOW MANY OF US ARE OUT THERE? HOW MANY OTHERS ARE OR ,WERE DENIED ALSO? THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALER. THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR

  7. Electrical system, Seat belts, Nov 26, 2013, fire

    I WAS DRIVING ON THE CARPOOL LANE OF 170N WITH MY TWO KIDS (HEADING TO 5N) WHEN THERE WAS SUDDENLY A DOG,YELLOW LABRADOR CROSSING THE FREEWAY AND GETTING RIGHT ON MY LANE. I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND BRAKE BUT IT WAS TOO LATE,I HIT THE DOG RIGHT ON THE FRONT OF MY CAR. I FELT MY SEAT BELT TIGHTENED UNCOMFORTABLY THEREAFTER AND I RELEASED IT SO I CAN RESET AND PUT IT AGAIN,BUT IT WON'T PULL TO REACH THE PORT ON MY RIGHT SIDE,IT SEEMED STUCK. IT WAS RIGHT AROUND THAT TIME WE STARTED SMELLING SMOKE THEREAFTER WE HIT THE DOG. MY KIDS AND I WERE LOOKING AROUND WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING UNTIL MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS SITTING RIGHT ON MY BACK (DRIVER'S) SAID "MOM THERE'S SMOKE ON THE BACK"..(I WAS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE 170N FREEWAY JOINING 5N) SO I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ON THE SHOULDER AND PULL OVER AND TOLD THE KIDS TO "GET OUT OF THE CAR, NOW!" I DIDN'T SEE WHERE THE SMOKE REALLY WAS BECAUSE MY CONCERN WAS TO GET OURSELVES TO STOP THE CAR SAFELY AND GET OUT. WE RAN AWAY FROM THE CAR ABOUT 30-50 FEET AWAY. THERE WAS A GENTLEMAN WHO PULLED ON THE SHOULDER AND ASKED WHAT'S GOING ON AND LEND ME HIS PHONE (I LEFT EVERYTHING IN THE CAR). HE CHECKED ON THE CAR AND THOUGHT "IT WAS OKAY".. I TOLD MYSELF I CAN GET MY PHONE AND PURSE STILL SO I RAN BACK AND GET IT (THERE WAS SOME SMOKE INSIDE I CAN'T TELL WHERE IT WAS FROM) . BY THE TIME I RAN BACK TO MY KIDS AND THE GENTLEMAN IT WAS ALREADY SMELLING SMOKE FROM WHERE WE ARE AND IN MAYBE A SECOND THERE WAS SOME FIRE VISIBLE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE,ON THE DOOR SIDE INSIDE..AND THEN MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME "MOM THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE HOLE OF THE SEAT BELT ON THE WALL,IT WAS GOING TO ME SO I MOVED ON THE OTHER SIDE". SEEING THE FIRE I CALLED 911 AT 2:57PM TO ALARM AND AWARE THEM. I ASKED THE GENTLEMAN TO TAKE US ON A SAFE PLACE AWAY FROM THE CAR COZ I WAS AFRAID THE CAR WOULD CONSEQUENTLY EXPLODE. *TR

  8. Seat belts, Sep 9, 2010, crash

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ACURA MDX, WHILE STOPPED THE CONTACT WAS REAR ENDED BY A VEHICLE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN TO HOLD HER FIRMLY IN PLACE UPON IMPACT AND SHE WAS THROWN FORWARD INTO HER WINDSHIELD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE LOT WHERE IT HAD NOT BEEN EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE.THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 117,000.

  9. Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 5, 2003

    WHEN THE VEHICLE RAN OVER A BUMP IN ROAD THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR RECEDED AND LOCKED UP. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT FROM THE RETRACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE MECHANIC CHECK OUT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. *AK THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE SEAT BELT REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE DESIGNED TO LOCK UP IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS. *TS *NLM

  10. Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 25, 2003

    I PURCHASED A 2003 ACURA MDX IN DECEMBER, 2002 FROM GILLMAN ACURA, HOUSTON TEXAS. ON THE DATE OF MY COMPLAINT, THE VEHICLE HAD JUST OVER 11,400 MILES. ON SEPT. 05, 2003, I HIT A ROCK ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH PUNCTURED MY LEFT FRONT TIRE AND DENTED MY WHEEL. ADDITIIONALLY, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP AND ARE NOW NOT FUNCTIONING. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY DASH BOARD IS BLINKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO GILLMAN ACURA ON 09/08, KNOWING I WOULD PAY FOR THE WHEEL AND TIRE. THEY (GILLMAN ACURA AND ACURA CORPORATE, TORRENCE, CA) INFORMED ME THAT THE SEAT BELTS MUST BE REPLACED AT MY COST (>$1,00O). THEY ALSO CLAIM THE SEATBELTS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY VIA THE 'TENSIONES' LOCKING UP THE SEAT BELTS. ADDITIONALLY, THEY CLAIM THE BLINKING LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY NEED TO BE COMPUTER CONTROLLED WHICH ALSO WOULD BE AT MY COST. THIS IS TOTALLY CONTRARY TO GILLMAN AND ACURAS' WRITTEN AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES I RECEIVED WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY TWIST THE WARRANTY AND AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE FROM ACURA HAS NOT EVEN INSPECTED MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY ACURA THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT BUT THE CONCLUSION IS FINAL. THEY ARE NOT PAYING TO GET ME SEAT BELTS INTO PROPER WORKING ORDER. THUS, I HAVE A 2003 VEHICLE WHICH IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NEGLECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIER WARRANTY. OTHER DEALERS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH CONCUR THAT GILLMAN ACURA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR. THEY HAVE ALL INFORMED ME THAT SEAT BELTS ARE DESIGNED TO LOCK AND SUBSEQUENTLY RETRACT. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO HAVE ANY SEAT BELT WHICH LOCKS UP AND DOES NOT RELEASE. I AM REQUESTING NHTSA ASSSIST ME IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FROM ACURA SINCE MY PURCHASE AND THEY HAVE BLATANTLY LIED TO ME ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ADDITONALLY, THE TENSIONERS

  11. Air bags, Seat belts, Sep 8, 2003

    ACURA REFUSES TO HONOR THIER WARRANTY ON THE SEAT BELTS OF MY 2003 MDX. SPECIFICALLY, GILLMAN ACURA, HOUSTON, TX. VEHICLE HAS 11,500 MILES, SEAT BELTS ARE INOPERABLE (LOCKED UP'), AND THEY SAY THEY TO NOT REPLACE SEAT BELTS. THIS IS CONTRARY TO ALL LITERATURE IN THEIR PRINTED AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES I RECEIVED. *AK

  12. Seat belts, May 8, 2003

    THE SEAT BELT WAS MOUNTED IN THE CEILING OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED THE BELT TO COME ACROSS THE PASSENGER'S NECK. *JB