Airbags: problems reported by owners
323 owners in the United States reported problems with the airbags of this car to NHTSA (model years 2003–2011), typically at around 95,000 miles. Reported consequences: 59 crashes, 1 fire, 72 injuries.
Honda Element
2002–2011 · 8 documented defects · 3 markets
This file gathers the known defects of the Honda Element, written and sourced by the community. Anyone can read; a free account lets you contribute. A defect earns the seal once enough reputable contributors have validated it.
Owners often report problems with visibility (wipers, windows, mirrors) on this car (374 complaints), but no one has explained the cause yet. Do you know it?Write it up
Owners often report problems with airbags on this car (323 complaints), but no one has explained the cause yet. Do you know it?Write it up
Most serious reported defects
See all (8) →Electrical system: problems reported by owners
111 owners in the United States reported problems with the electrical system of this car to NHTSA (model years 2003–2010), typically at around 85,000 miles. Reported consequences: 3 crashes, 8 fires, 3 injuries.
Body and structure: problems reported by owners
92 owners in the United States reported problems with the body and structure of this car to NHTSA (model years 2003–2010), typically at around 123,000 miles. Most often named: body (59%). Reported consequences: 11 crashes, 7 injuries.
Latest official recalls
See all (36) →Motor vehicles - bodywork (occupant protective equipment)
The driver airbag inflation module may build up excessive pressure. If the airbag deploys, the internal pressure may cause the inflation module to rupture. Metal fragments can be shot away and possibly injure the occupant.
Structure
Issue: On certain vehicles, the rear frame could rust. In extreme cases, this could result in a rear trailing arm separating from the vehicle. This recall applies to vehicles originally sold or currently registered in areas of heavy road salt usage (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador). Safety Risk: A rear trailing arm that separates could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Honda will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for an inspection of the rear trailing arm front mount bolts. If the vehicle passes the inspection, the dealer will apply corrosion protection and install support braces. Honda will offer to repurchase vehicles that do not pass the inspection. In the event the repurchase is declined by an owner, a secondary inspection and body shop repair method may be possible.
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. Note: This is a new recall campaign that includes vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced under a previous recall or had a replacement airbag installed. The previous recall provided an interim (short-term) repair. Interim repair parts must be replaced with the final repair parts provided in this recall. Safety Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. Corrective Action: Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to replace the driver and/or passenger-front airbag inflator. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.
Latest service bulletins
See all (95) →Bulletin
Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects to the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
Bulletin
Service bulletin - The starter motor intermittently grinds in cold weather. The starter clutch housing may be out of specification, causing uneven loading between the clutch roller and the starter pinion.
Bulletin
Service bulletin - A manufacturing error can produce over-pressurization of the passenger?s (front) airbag inflator during airbag deployment. If an affected airbag deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator casing to rupture. Metal fragments could be propelled upward toward the windshield, or downward toward the front passenger?s foot well, possibly causing an injury to vehicle occupants.
Sources: NHTSA (United States, public domain), Transport Canada (Open Government Licence – Canada), DVSA (United Kingdom, Open Government Licence v3.0), RappelConso and EU Safety Gate (France, Licence Ouverte 2.0).