I was leaving for work this morning and I was about a block down the street and my passenger airbag deployed.

I got in the van started up fine like always, pulled out of the drive and proceeded down the street. Then I began to smell a burning smell. Seem to be coming from the engine bay I thought. I had my driver side window down cause for once it seemed cool out. I thought maybe it was something from outside.

So I am sitting there trying to figure out what the smell is and I glance down at the dash and notice my check engine like blinking. Next I notice the smell getting stronger and think "oh **** my engine!" then "BOOM!!" the passenger airbag deploys. Needless to say I was startled and pulled to the side and just sat there stunned for a sec. I shut the car off and got out because I didn't know if the steering wheel was about to do the same. the blast F'd up my visor and blew off my rear view mirror.

Has this happened to anyone? My plan is to remove the driver airbag and take the van to my local parts shop to see what code is flashing.

 

CEL shouldnt have been flashing for an airbag related code... Sounds like you have some gremlins in your van.

Maybe a wire chaffed and shorted under the dash is my only guess.

 

Yeah, something. Here's a pic too.

 

Yo im sorry but when i read this i laughed for like 5 min.. I know my reaction would of been to get the hell out of the van too..

 

you need to take that to the dealer, thats a serious issue, i believe airbag malfunctions like that are covered by the lifetime seat belt warranty, DON"T cut it out!! you may also want to consider contacting the NTSB things like this are what promps recalls, what if it had been the drivers airbag? you could have been in a wreck!! I wouldn't drive the car, the dealer actually needs to have it towed in at their expense, it's possible the drivers side could deploy. you need to disconnect the battery and leave it disconnected.

 

I have contacted American Honda Corp and there are sending someone to the dealership to inspect the vehicle. We are all under the understanding that the vehicle is 17 years old but they are curious as to why this happened. Plus I am sure they are worried about any liability.

 

You should File a complaint with nhtsa's defect office too.