Are the Accord's Airbags Safe?

If your fire extinguisher shot out liquid propane when you needed to put out a flame, you’d be surprised. If your door lock opened in the middle of the night just because it was windy out, you’d be confused. It’s scary when the things that are supposed to protect you fail.

This is where we're at with Honda's airbags. These clouds of safety have turned into a stormy nightmare (and I'm not even talking about the Takata mess).

The Accord, in particular, has airbags that deploy without a crash, or don't deploy when there is one. It's the worst of both worlds.

Honda Accord Recalled After Airbag Injuries → ∞

October 29, 2015: Honda recalled over 300k 2008-09 Accords because the airbags shot out after the owner shut the door:

"The automaker says at least 19 injuries have been reported from airbags deploying when they weren't needed. Due to the side impact sensor setting, just slamming a door shut can cause the side airbags to deploy."

I know you've been hitting the gym lately, but don't let this go to your head. This is a software issue that needs to be fixed. Honda expects the recall to begin in December 2015. Until then, I'd recommend closing your doors with a bit more finesse.

Honda Airbags Under Investigation → ∞

August 28, 2015: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has an ongoing investigation for Accord airbags that fall asleep on the job. At least one car was involved in a serious crash where the airbags didn't work at all. Now other owners are worried about being next:

"Owners say Honda dealers consistently report the airbag modules can't communicate in a crash, which prevents dealers from acquiring the correct trouble codes to diagnose the problem."

The investigation is ongoing and focuses on the 2008 model year. It could result in a recall of over 380k vehicles.