2006 Honda Element Airbags Problems

Vehicle (2-owner, all svc records), involved in a head-on collision, with approximately 75% of impact/damage to the Driver’s front (see photos). The passenger front (25% of impact) airbag deployed, the DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG did NOT deploy. The Takata airbag recall service/replacement (see invoice) was performed by a local Honda dealership on 01/08/2018. (Factory recall: 16-047; Kit Inflator: 06999). The vehicle is in my (owner’s) private possession since the time of the incident, I have deliberately not yet had it serviced or inspected for damage/repair estimates in any way, as my priority is to FIRST go through proper, qualified channels to have it properly inspected and diagnosed in regards to the AIRBAG FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11714865

Incident

Dec 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Element. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the passenger's side door air bag deployed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact and her mother heard a loud explosion, and the passenger's side door air bag deployed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed. There was no impact GTC system scanned -1 completed troubleshooting found no damage while SRS and air bag unit need to be replaced. The vehicle had previously been repaired, a year and a half prior to the failure under an unknown recall associated with the air bags. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,500.

NHTSA ID

11650488

Incident

Mar 17, 2025

Mileage

155,500 mi

OPDS SENSOR FAILED/TRIPPED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. NO ACCIDENT/COLLISION INVOLVED. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH CONSTANTLY ON. ALTHOUGH OPDS SENSOR IS CLEARLY PART OF SRS, HONDA DEALERSHIP CLAIMS IT FALLS OUTSIDE OF SRS LIFETIME WARRANTY/WARRANTY EXTENSION. CONCERN OVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11330117

Incident

Jun 20, 2020

Mileage

182,700 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD HIS VEHICLE SERVICED FOR AN AIR BAG RECALL AT AUTONATION HONDA CLEARWATER (17275 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33764) UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V182000(AIR BAGS) . AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. AFTER THE FIFTH VISIT, THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND DISCOVERED THAT THE DEFECT WAS DUE TO FAULTY AIR BAG WIRING. THE CONTACT WAS THEN GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS OF APPROXIMATELY $1,000.00. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11300876

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON IN MY 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. IT IS WELL KNOWN TO BE A FAULT IN THE DESIGN OF THE SEATBELT LATCH SENSOR. HONDA WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND WANTS TO CHARGE $$$$$ TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX. THIS DESIGN FLAW WILL CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TO NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. LIVES ARE AT RISK AND HONDA WON'T FIX IT.

NHTSA ID

11169961

Incident

Jan 14, 2019

WE GOT A LETTER IN THE MAIL ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS. AIR BAG LIGHT ALWAYS ON. WE HAVE A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE ,THE DRIVER DOOR GETS STUCK, WE HAVE NO A/C , ONE FAN UNDER THE HOOD WORK,SHOCKS MISSING UP TIRES, BATTERY DIE ALL THE TIME, AND HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR JUST CUTTING OFF AT LIGHTS OR WHEN STOPED BY ITSELF.

NHTSA ID

11129519

Incident

Jul 10, 2018

DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITH STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WENT OFF, WHICH WE HAD FIXED ON A RECALL NOTICE YEARS BEFORE. HOWEVER THE DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF. MY DAUGHTER WENT FORWARD AND IT AFFECTED HER JAW. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT EVEN GO OFF TO PROTECT HER. THE POLICE EVEN COMMENTED ON IT. HER CAR MAY BE UNFIXABLE WE WILL KNOW SOON. WE WANT TO REPORT THIS FOR OTHERS SAFETY.

NHTSA ID

11111329

Incident

Jul 14, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

THIS IS TO REPORT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE DRIVING. HAD TO BRAKE TO AVOID TREE BRANCH. NO DAMAGE TO CAR OTHER THAN THE TORE SIT AND OPENING OF BAG. I HAD DAMAGE TO RIGHT SIDE OF ARM BEING THAT IT HAPPENED ON DRIVER SIDE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPEN TO OTHER VEHICLES AS WELL. MY CAR IS A BIT OLD, BUT IN GOOD WORKING CONDITIONS WE HAVE TAKEN CARE OF IT. HOWEVER, SHOULD I BE WORRY THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN READING SOME OF THE POSTINGS IN WEBSITES AND IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN OFTEN. I WOULD ADVISE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO IT. PLEASE KEEP US INFORMED AND IF EVER THERE IS A RECALL PLEASE INFORM THE PUBLIC.

NHTSA ID

11110805

Incident

Jul 3, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT WHILE DRIVING. WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER (OCEAN HONDA OF VENTURA, 6450 AUTO CENTER DR, VENTURA, CA 93003, 805-590-2844) AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 187,000.

NHTSA ID

11104144

Incident

Nov 15, 2017

Mileage

187,000 mi

TA..KATA RECALL; THE LIGHT SAYING THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IS THE ONLY WARNING I HAD THAT ALERTED ME TO THE DANGER .THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ID

11061234

Incident

Jul 4, 2017

Mileage

200,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL ----FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT COME OUT AFTER FRONT SIDE COLLISION. AUTO WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA ID

11043046

Incident

Jun 7, 2016

Mileage

126,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE FRONTAL PASSENGER INFLATOR; HOWEVER, 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 NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY ORDERED THE PARTS FOUR MONTHS AGO, BUT STILL HAD NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10981132

Incident

Dec 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE DEPLOYMENT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID

10979851

Incident

Sep 11, 2013

Mileage

75,000 mi

I DROVE THE REAR-RIGHT WHEEL OVER AN ANGLED CURB AT EXACTLY 5MPH IN A PARKING LOT. DASH CAM GPS CONFIRMS THE SPEED. THIS TRIGGERED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE TIRE OR VEHICLE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO PASSENGER AT THE TIME. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE AIRBAG SHOULD BE TRIGGERED FOR SUCH A MINOR EVENT AS RUNNING OVER AN ANGLED PARKING CURB AT VERY LOW SPEED.

NHTSA ID

10960141

Incident

Mar 11, 2017

Mileage

126,200 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD POP - IT SOUNDED LIKE MAYBE ONE OF MY TIRES EXPLODED SOMEHOW. IT TURNS OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED AND POPPED. MY RIGHT EAR WAS RINGING FOR A WHILE AFTER THIS HAPPENED AND I FORTUNATELY MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR AND FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE AIR BAG WHEN I SAW THE BLUE AIR BAG HANGING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT.

NHTSA ID

10956424

Incident

Feb 21, 2017

Mileage

186,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10919106

Incident

Jan 4, 2016

2006 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VIN# NOT LISTED ON PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL LIST AND REQUESTS INFORMATION ON THE TYPE OF PROPELLANT USED IN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED IN JUNE 2015. THE CONSUMER IS NOW CONCERNED ABOUT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG EXPLODING. HONDA INFORMED THE CONSUMER A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR HIS MAKE AND MODEL, BUT NOT HIS YEAR. *JB

NHTSA ID

10918214

Incident

Jun 1, 2015

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. 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 REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/03/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10914035

Incident

Jun 20, 2016

TAKATA RECALL. LOCAL HONDA DEALER IN HYANNIS MA HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE NECESSARY PARTS FOR THIS RECALL FOR OVER 60 DAYS. I CALLED AGAIN TODAY AND THEY TOOK OUR INFORMATION AGAIN AND SAID THEY WOULD PLACE THE ORDER. THEY ARE STILL UNABLE TO SAY WHEN THEY WILL BE RECEIVING THE PART(S).

NHTSA ID

10894338

Incident

Aug 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10893217

Incident

Jun 1, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10885450

Incident

May 24, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT AN IMPACT OCCURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V665000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

NHTSA ID

10824282

Incident

Dec 3, 2015

Mileage

173,000 mi

MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG CAME OUT AFTER RUNNING OVER A BRANCH THAT I COULD NOT AVOID. I CAME OVER A HILL ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND THE BRANCHES WERE ALL OVER THE ROAD. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR BECAUSE I SMELLED SMOKE. IT WAS ONLY UPON GETTING BACK IN MY CAR THAT I REALIZED THE AIR BAG WAS HANGING OUT. IT DID NOT INFLATE JUST CAME OUT. I RECENTLY HAD THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. EVERY AUTO BODY PERSON I HAVE SPOKE WITH SAYS THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED FOR SOMETHING LIKE A BRANCH. ALSO, MY SEAT BELTS ARE STILL WORKING WHICH IS UNCOMMON AFTER THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING. HONDA HAS NOT WANTED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING WITHOUT TRUE CAUSE.

NHTSA ID

10795023

Incident

Nov 18, 2015

Mileage

196,000 mi

HONDA CUSTOMER CARE TEAM EMAIL DIRECTS YOU TO VISIT A PERSONALIZED SITE. IN MY CASE: HTTP://HR3F.MYHONDAAUTO.COM/REYNALDOCOLON FOR FURTHER DETAILS. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN YOU ENTER YOUR VIN INFORMATION IT INDICATES THAT YOU HAVE "TIMED-OUT" NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU RETRY TO INPUT YOUR VEHICLE INFORMATION IT TAKES YOU TO A "TIMED-OUT" PAGE. [XXX]@MYHONDAAUTO.COM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

NHTSA ID

10780624

Incident

Oct 7, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10725326

Incident

Jun 15, 2015