Air Bag On-off Switch problems of the 2004 Honda Accord

I noticed that the srs light was intermittently illuminating on the dashboard of my 2004 Honda Accord. It turns out that the driver's side seat belt buckle switch is defective, According to the dealer. Honda states in their seat belt limited warranty: time period: this warranty continues for the useful life of the vehicle warranty coverage: Honda will repair or replace, at its option, any Honda seat belt component that fails to function properly during normal use. This includes all parts and labor charges. My Honda dealer (fairfax Honda 703-934-8500) informed me that this wasn't under warranty because the component needing repair was an electrical component. However, the Honda warranty clearly states any Honda seat belt component, and does not differentiate between electrical and mechanical components. Furthermore, because of this defective component, the air bag system will fail to deploy properly in an accident. I feel that since Honda has instituted a lifetime warranty on any seat belt component failure, they should have to repair this defect without any charge to me. I would appreciate NHTSA looking into this matter.

Over the past couple of months the red airbag light would sometimes stay on while driving. Called local Honda dealer who said my 2004 Accord wasn't recalled for this issue based on my Accord's VIN. I researched airbag issue & saw other Hondas had been recalled. I have seen on nhsta site that many other 2004 Accord owners have had an issue with airbag light staying on. This means the airbag will not work in an accident! it is a serious safety issue. I was concerned about my safety & needed my car inspected. My car failed inspection because of the airbag problem (code 61-10). I had seat removed & new seat buckle switch installed. This cost $225. 61 to fix so my car would pass inspection. Honda recalled some cars for the airbag issue in 2007. Honda needs to look into this & fix this & reimburse those of us who have fixed it.

My 2004 Honda Accord had been left parked overnight on our driveway. At about 10:30 in the morning the next day,12/18/11, I got into the car, and with my door still wide open and the car in "park", I turned on the ignition and started the motor for a 2 or 3 minute warm-up. I was on the driver seat and my wife on the passenger seat with her door also wide open. I was talking to my wife with my face turned towards her while the car warmed up. After about two minutes, I turned off the motor and pulled out the key from the ignition switch to hand it to my wife still facing her with my left side towards the steering wheel. Our house key and the car key were on the same key chain and I was handing it to my wife to lock the front door of the house. Right at that moment, the driver side airbag violently exploded with full force and with a very loud bang whipping my face and my left ear. Whatever I had in my hands (my wallet, a cd and the car keys) were all blown away and landed outside the car and I was completely deafened and disoriented by the blow and the loud explosion. For the next two hours or so, I was hurting in my left ear and was unable to hear anything with that ear. Its been more than 24 hours since that incident and my ear though not hurting as much, still has some ringing. I reported the incident to the american Honda motor company but am very disappointed with their handling of this situation. They want me to have the car towed to a dealership and have it checked all at my expense. They refuse to pay for any expenses whatsoever that I may incur with regards to this incident including medical check-up. And to make matters worse, they claim that the car is out of warranty and as such they are not obligated to pay for any repairs. This is not a warranty issue, it is a serious safety matter, they cannot absolve of their responsibility. I feel totally helpless!!.

Major electrical problems began about 2 years ago. Radio display won't light, but radio/cd still plays; air conditioner cools intermittently, though compressor is working and freon is adequate; tail lights sometimes work, sometimes don't; ignition switch makes a noise as though the engine was already started when I turned the key, even though it wasn't - eventually the ignition switch had to be replaced (problem still occurs from time to time); brake calipers have always pulsed no matter how slow I come to a stop; and airbag light comes on for no apparent reason as there is not hindrance to the sensor switch mechanism below the seats.