NHTSA Complaint #11114546 — 2005 HONDA CIVIC GX

TAKATA RECALL. WHEN I WIPED THE DASHBOARD OF MY CIVIC RECENTLY, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER FELT TACKY/STICKY. THE REST OF THE DASH WAS PERFECTLY SMOOTH AND NON-STICKY. WHEN I TRIED TO CLEAN THE AIRBAG COVER, THE PAINT STARTED COMING OFF AND THERE WAS A LAYER OF VERY THICK, BLACK, TAR-LIKE GRIME UNDERNEATH. THE HONDA DEALER REPLACED THE TAKATA AIRBAG 2.5 YEARS AGO, AND SINCE THEN NOTHING HAD TOUCHED THE COVER (NO SPILLS, NO CLEANING PRODUCTS OR OTHER CHEMICALS). THE CAR IS GARAGED MOST OF THE TIME AND SPENDS LESS TIME IN THE SUN THAN MOST CARS. I SHOWED THE TAR/GRIME TO THE HONDA DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO IDEA WHY THE COVER WAS LIKE THAT AND COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM NOW VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE AIRBAG (DID THE DEALER REPLACE MINE WITH A REFURBISHED ONE?). I'D BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE MORE PHOTOS OR BRING THE CAR TO A REASONABLY CLOSE NHTSA LOCATION TO BE EXAMINED, IF THAT WOULD HELP. THANKS.