Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
49
Latest Jul 1, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 423 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
11
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
11
What this page shows
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Honda Element submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 49 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming airbag
The 25 most recent of 49, in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V370000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that the vehicle was at the dealer for a week for the recall repair. The contact stated that while the vehicle was still at the dealer, the vehicle was started, and the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
NHTSA ID
11598053
Incident
Jun 26, 2024
Mileage
200,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 1, 2024
1 injury reported
While driving on a rough road the driver's seat airbag deployed injuring my arm (big bruise and tennis-ball size laceration). I plan to take the vehicle into the dealership to find out why this happened.
NHTSA ID
11569257
Incident
Jan 29, 2024
AirbagsBody & structureDriver assistance
Filed Apr 20, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported
Seems Honda is hiding specific vin needing recal replacement of airbag fue to fact it's deployed. Attempt to cover up recall regarding this specific vin possibly aware that damage is done and if airbag deployed, vin check results "no current recalls" for vehicle. 2003 Honda Element had first recall replacement done. At that time Honda had person come to house to notify. This time, second recall, too late. It deployed and air bag is on recall list. Please provide honest facts. Correct me please if I misunderstood.
NHTSA ID
11518170
Incident
Nov 10, 2022
Airbags
Filed Aug 5, 2021
Airbag lights keeps turning on and off and has now stayed on permanently. This is a safety issue if airbags fail to deploy.
NHTSA ID
11427954
Incident
May 1, 2020
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Aug 20, 2020
2003 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND IGNITION SWITCH SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IMPROPERLY REPAIRED DURING THE RECALL REPAIR PROCESS. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.*JS *JS
NHTSA ID
11349432
Incident
Feb 1, 2020
Airbags
Filed May 19, 2018
TAKATA RECALL: I SOLD THIS VEHICLE (2003 HONDA ELEMENT) IN EARLY 2011. WHEN THE AIRBAGS WERE RECALLED, I BEGAN RECEIVING NOTICES FORM HONDA ABOUT THE RECALL. I HAVE RETURNED THE MAILINGS AND ALSO CALLED THE 800 NUMBER (AT LEAST 4 TIMES IN TOTAL), EACH TIME LETTING THEM KNOW THAT I NO LONGER OWN THE VEHICLE. I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE RECALL NOTICES, DESPITE NOTIFYING THEM THAT I AM NOT THE OWNER. THIS WOULD POINT TO THE FACT THAT THE ACTUAL OWNER OF THE CAR IS NOT RECEIVING NOTICES. IF HONDA IS NOT ACCURATELY UPDATING THEIR DATABASE, OWNERS AT RISK FROM THIS RECALL MAY BE OBLIVIOUS TO IT.
NHTSA ID
11096846
Incident
May 19, 2018
Airbags
Filed Jan 18, 2018
Crash reportedFire reported1 injury reported
I HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG'S POWDER, WHITE SUBSTANCE BURNED MY SKIN.
NHTSA ID
11063643
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Mileage
70,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 1, 2017
TAKATA RECALL SINCE RECEIVING THE FIRST RECALL NOTICE IN JUNE IF 2016, I'VE CALLED THE HONDA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE(OURISMAN HONDA, BETHESDA MD.) - AND WHERE I HAVE IT REGULARLY SERVICED - 3 TIMES. THEY PROMISE TO CALL ME WHEN THEY CAN REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART, BUT HAVE YET TO CALL ME WITH A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. I'VE WAITED TEN MONTHS SINCE RECEIVING THENREVALL NOTICE, AND JUST TODAY RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA ID
10969919
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Mar 27, 2017
TAKATA RECALL, RECEIVED NOTICE OF THIS RECALL IN JULY, 7 2016, MECHANICSVILLE HONDA CONTACTED AND PART WAS ORDERED 7/7/16. NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE TO RETURN TO DEALERSHIP TO REPLACED DEFECTIVE PART UNDER RECALL. RECEIVED SECOND RECALL NOTICE 3/27/17
NHTSA ID
10968795
Incident
Mar 27, 2017
Airbags
Filed Nov 10, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10925373
Incident
Jun 9, 2016
Airbags
Filed Sep 22, 2016
I RECEIVED NOTICE IN LATE JUNE 2016 REGARDING THE RECALL, AND CALLED AT THE BEGINNING OF JULY, SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR JULY 13, 2016. I RECEIVED A CALL ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT FROM THE DEALER SAYING THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CALL ME BACK WHEN PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. I CALLED IN AUGUST AND AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2016 AND I RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE. ON THE RECALL IT SUGGESTS FOR NO ONE TO RIDE IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT UNTIL THE AIR BAG IS REPLACED. I FEEL THAT WE ARE APPROACHING 90 DAYS WITH NO RESOLUTION IS A BIT TOO LONG.
NHTSA ID
10908769
Incident
Sep 22, 2016
Airbags
Filed Sep 13, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ID
10906015
Incident
Sep 13, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 25, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ID
10898620
Incident
Jun 13, 2016
AirbagsPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jul 28, 2016
TAKATA RECALL : AIRBAG RECALL SLIP, NO PARTS AVAILABLE, STEERING SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUES ON DRIVERS FRONT,WHILE IN MOTION, TRANSMISSION WHINES, WHILE BACKING AND DRIVING ANY ROAD STYLE, REMOTE KEY LOCK ISSUES, STATIONARY
NHTSA ID
10889300
Incident
Jun 14, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jul 25, 2016
TAKATA RECALL: I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS VEHICLE. I NOTE THAT THE DEALER IS REQUIRED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITHIN 60 DAYS OF AN APPOINTMENT DATE. OUR DEALERSHIP IS GARCIA HONDA IN ALBUQUERQUE NM. OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. WHEN I CALL I AM FORWARDED TO A NUMBER WHICH RINGS, AND RINGS, AND RINGS.... AND NO ONE EVER PICKS UP. SEEMS INAPPROPRIATE TO TRY TO GET AROUND THE 60 DAY REQUIREMENT BY NEVER ALLOWING SOMEONE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.
NHTSA ID
10888241
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
AirbagsSuspension
Filed May 1, 2016
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF AND I ALSO HAVE A KNOCKING AND TICKING NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEN TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA ID
10862421
Incident
Apr 8, 2016
Airbags
Filed Mar 30, 2016
1 injury reported
TAKATA RECALL. AT LESS THAN SPEED LIMIT OF 35 MPH, VEHICLE ENCOUNTERED ICY CONDITIONS ON HILL, AND VEHICLE ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET OFF OF ROAD INTO GENTLY GRADED AREA. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE STRAIGHT OUT WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT BODY DAMAGE, YET AIRBAGS BOTH DEPLOYED UPON EXITING THE ROAD, MOST LIKELY DUE TO ROLLING OVER A SMALL CURB BEFORE LEAVING ROADWAY. THIS WAS A CITY STREET, EARLY IN THE MORNING OF MARCH 23, 2016, WITH MY LICENSED AND INSURED 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVING. BUT FOR THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SHE WOULD HAVE DRIVEN AWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT DUAL DEPLOYMENT RESULTED IN BURNS TO HER JACKET AND RIGHT ARM AND A LACERATION TO HER LEFT KNEE DUE TO HER REACTION TO THE UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT. I BELIEVE THE AIRBAG INITIATORS WERE OVERLY SENSITIVE OR ON A HAIR TRIGGER. ESTIMATED SPEED AT TIME OF DEPLOYMENT IS 25MPH OR LESS. VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND REGISTERED IN NEW MEXICO AND APPARENTLY IN STORAGE FOR A PERIOD WHERE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HOT AND/OR HUMID AT TIMES, BUT AT TIME OF INCIDENT WAS OWNED AND REGISTERED IN NORTH DAKOTA. POLICE AND INSURANCE REPORTS ARE PENDING AT THIS TIME. POLICE, INSURANCE AND AMBULANCE REPORTS WOULD NOT EVEN EXIST BUT FOR SHOCK OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AS THERE WAS NO IMPACT, NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED, AND NO TICKETS ISSUED OR DRIVING CITED.
NHTSA ID
10852597
Incident
Mar 23, 2016
Mileage
180,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Mar 29, 2016
2003 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP WITH IGNITION SWITCH AND AIRBAG REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON OCCASIONALLY. ALSO, THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AT TIMES WHEN THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. *JB
NHTSA ID
10852624
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jan 20, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) A MONTH AGO AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED THREE BROKEN RIBS AND LIVER DAMAGE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA ID
10821170
Incident
Jan 20, 2016
Mileage
103,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 28, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V353000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V320000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 11/18/15*LJ UPDATED 01/11/16. *JB UPDATED 1/12/2016 *JS
NHTSA ID
10778118
Incident
Apr 20, 2015
Mileage
183,645 mi
Airbags
Filed May 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ID
10716677
Incident
Feb 3, 2015
Airbags
Filed May 15, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP FLASHED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) MONTHS AGO AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ID
10716662
Incident
Jun 5, 2013
AirbagsElectrical
Filed May 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 10V364000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 14V351000 (AIR BAGS), AND 14V700000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ID
10716221
Incident
Feb 15, 2015
Airbags
Filed May 7, 2015
JUST ENTERING THE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SLOW RESPONSE TO REPLACING THE AIRBAGS ON MY 2003 HONDA ELEMENT (SEE VIN ABOVE). CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP IN FEBRUARY 2015, BUT DEALERSHIP CANNOT GET PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. RECALL NUMBERS: 14V-700 AND 14V-351. ANY ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10715208
Incident
Dec 1, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V353000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ID
10714676
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own