NHTSA Complaint #10551782 — 2006 ACURA TL

ABOUT 3-6 MONTHS AGO, I NOTICED A CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY ACURA 2006 TL. GRADUALLY THE CRACK GREW, THEN OVER TIME, I SAW TWO MORE CRACKS IN THE AREAS WHERE THE AIRBAGS ARE LOCATED. NOW THESE CRACKS ARE WIDENING AND I CAN SEE WHITE IN THE CRACKS. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WILL COMPROMISE PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. IF SO, THIS CAN HAVE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES. I CALLED THE ACURA MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER SERVICE. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WILL COST ME $1500-2000 AND THAT THE ADJUSTMENT FROM THEM WILL BE MINIMAL BECAUSE THE WARRANTY FOR SUCH A THING HAS EXPIRED. I RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR ACURAS. PLEASE, PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND HELP OTHERS LIKE ME WHO ARE HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED, DISCOURAGED AND ANGRY ABOUT THE POOR QUALITY OF MATERIALS USED IN THE AREA THAT ENCASES THE AIRBAGS THAT SHOULD PROTECT US FROM INJURY OR DEATH. FOR YOUR INFORMATION: MY CAR HAS 92,000 MILES AND I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN GOOD PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT THE DASHBOARD WITH A WINDSHIELD COVER, USED SPECIAL CONDITIONER AND CRACKED MY WINDOWS TO KEEP THE HEAT OUT. I ALSO DO PROPER AND TIMELY MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER AND WAS HOPING THIS WOULD BE MY LAST CAR. NOW, IF I MUST SELL MY CAR, MY CAR HAS DEPRECIATED SUBSTANTIALLY DUE TO POOR WORKMANSHIP AND I WILL HAVE A CAR PAYMENT I DON'T NEED OR CAN'T AFFORD. DO RU *TR