Just Received a Airbag Recall Notice for my '03 CLS
 

Hey all, I just received an airbag recall notice for my 2003 cl s in the mail. Just letting you guys know. I saw the recall in the TL forums, but it didn't include the CL, I guess now it does. I would have scanned the letter for you guys, but I don't have a scanner at the moment. Basically, they said take it to a dealer and they'll inspect the driver's side airbag and if faulty, will replace it for free. The diagnostics for checking the airbag system is also free.

Actually, it's online on the My Acura page:

here's the link.

http://owners.acura.com/Documentum/C...nglish_168.pdf

haha, I got mine yesterday.

If you are the original owner and are certian that the airbag has never been deployed, then all you do is check off the box certifying said and sign and send. If you are a second owner or more, then they want you to get it checked if unsure.

Something to do with potential flying shrapnel from the inflator upon deployment on subsequent repalcement air bag units other then the factory installed ones.:ugh:

If you're not the original owner how does Acura know how to find you to send you notification?

Great question! I have never updated my original contact info. since I bought the car and they found me at my current location which is not my original address. My guess is that they have the ability to tap into the insurance industry in regards to VIN #'s. But it's only a guess.:dunno:

Well the way they found me was when I bought the car, the in the back of the car's manual, I think, there was a number to call if you had bought the car and you are now the owner of it. The number lead to Honda itself and they updated the contact info to the new owner, i.e. me.

Got mine today too. Time to make an appointment since I'm not the original owner. Have all the service records from the previous owner but who knows if they may have forgotten one.

I called and updated my info with them when I needed my GPS code. Had to fax them a copy of my title and drivers license to prove I was the new owner. I'd guess they also get the info from the state when you file a transfer of title. I still get notices from Ford from my SHO. The guy I sold it to much have taken the supercharger, engine, rebuilt tranny and parted the rest. I know he had his own SHO to drop them in.

One would assume with a safety recall, the state would be more than happy to provide ownership info to make sure the letters get to people and make sure their cars are safe.

Yeah, I'm not the original owner as well. Sort of looking forward to it...get to drive one of the new Acuras for a while as they 'inspect my vehicle' lol. Does anyone know if the dealership gets paid to replace the part by HONDA if indeed it is faulty? Do you think if it's not faulty that the dealership will tell you it is and replace it anyway just to get paid??

Chances are they won't be giving you a loaner car for the servicing.

They will only replace it is it is indeed faulty as they have to send them back to Honda for credit as which point Honda will verify them.

Haha, yeah, last time my SRS light was coming on was because of the seat belt buckle issue and they actually gave me a loaner for 2 days! Could have kept it longer, had a good experience with the dealership. They had a lot of cars, actually, to be serviced and that's why it took so long for them to replace my buckle. Gave me the RDX Turbo.

Got mine in the mail today too. Not even going to bother to take it in. Waste of time. The airbag hasn't been replaced I'm pretty sure. I'm the 2nd owner, but never in a accident where the airbag deployed. The letter says only a replacement airbag would be the issue. A factory original is not recalled.

Yeah I'm with fuzzy on that, unless you have been in a accident no need to even do this.

I spoke with the dealership and they said its for the original airbag because apparently the factory airbag deploys to fast and causes to many injuries so they are replacing it with a new technology airbag that will deploy slower and not cause as many injuires.

This is quoted exactly from the letter I just received yesterday.

"Acura has decided that defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2003 model year CL vehicles that have had the original factory-installed driver's front airbag module replaced.

If it has never been deployed there is no issue, only if it has been replaced, dealer that you are going to sounds like they don't know what they are talking about.

But if you are not the original owner of the car and are unsure then you should bring it in.

I recieved the letter but didn't read it so thank you for posting that.

I'm not the original owner but I know the original owner and this vehicle has never been in an accident but I will still take it in because it can't hurt anything they replace it with will have new technology so I'd rather have new technology than old.

Yeah I wasn't trying to start an argument or anything just posting a heads up, I knew the original owner of my car and he was never in an accident either, so original airbag for me.

Tweeted:
Acura replied:

so i take it that this is only for 03 cl's.

That is correct.

Damn, I just want to sell my car and not deal with it anymore :( I am with fuzzy, I would think if the airbag was deployed at anytime it would 90% of the time be on the carfax. No accidents for my car except a hit and run on the driver quarter panel. Should be good to go. If I sell, I will tuck the letter in the glove box for the next person ;)

just got mine yesterday. i'm the original owner and the airbag module has never been replaced. however, i have changed the airbag to the s2k one. just want to confirm that they are referring to the airbag module and not the air bag itself and wether or not i have anything to worry about.

They find us thru vehicle registration data from each state's DMV.
I got the letter, and I'm not going to do anything. It has the factory good airbag, and I wouldn't take it to the dealer anyway. I don't want any yahoo driving my car.

The check vehicle registrations with the DMV

I received my letter the other day. I know my car has been in a wreck before. The guy I bought it from told me he was in a fender bender but I found it was more than that when I hit a deer about two years ago and my buddy at the body shop showed me some of the previous repairs. I know my SRS light doesn't come on like it is supposed to when I first turn on the key. My side airbag light comes on when the passenger leans the right way on the seat so I know part of the system is working. I will schedule an appointment wth the horrible Acura dealer in Birmingham as it is the closest one to me

I just took mine in today. I received the letter a few days ago and it did say that it's only meant for 2nd owners or the airbag had been replaced.
I took it in today and a couple hours later they call me and say that they ended up changing it. I asked if it had been in an accident before. He said no but my # qualifies for the replacement. . .and he says they had one in stock so they did it. And they said that they washed my car. My car was already clean though! This CL is garage kept I drive a 99civic every day. Kinda pissed me off how they would wash it. Looked better before they washed it.
Sounds fishy to me. . .

I have to get my SRS occupant position detection system checked this week per the letter sent by Acura back in 2007, so, I suspect that they will check the airbag even though it's the factory unit.

I always inform the service advisor up front that my car is S/C'ed and that they are not to wash it or test drive it without the owner being present. Boy do I get the stink eye sometimes, but I don't give a sh*t how they feel, it's my car. I hate to say it, but, the lot lizards can't wait to get it out on the road for a little/alot of hot shoe.:ugh: I watch them like a hawk, so I know how you guys feel.

I got my letter on Saturday and made an appointment for it to get inspected/replaced this Friday. I work at a dealership and I know the service adviser at Acura pretty well. We've known each other for 10+ years and I've always taken my Acuras to him. I trust him and have no problems with him or the dealership. Plus I know the service manager there as well. They already have me set up to get a loaner car.

Since Im running the RSX steering wheel, will they do anything for me if I just bring in the wheel without the car? :snicker: