2006 Honda Element 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.

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.

THE SUN VISOR MOUNT HAS LOOSENED UP OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO. TODAY, I PULLED DOWN THE SUN VISOR TO BLOCK THE SUN AND WHEN I ACCELERATED THE ENTIRE THING FELL ON MY FACE WHILE I WAS DRIVING, TEMPORARILY BLOCKING MY VISION. THE ENTIRE MOUNT AND VISOR CAME OUT OF THE CEILING OF MY CAR AND FELL ON ME. *TR

2006 HONDA ELEMENT PROBLEMS: I BOUGHT THIS HONDA BECAUSE OF THE REPUTATION FOR A SOLID CAR WITH VERY LITTLE MAINTENANCE ISSUES. THIS CAR HAS HAD MORE MAINTENANCE ISSUES THAN ANY OTHER I'VE EVER OWNED! *TT 1. DRIVER'S SEAT ROCK. THE SEAT HAS ROCKED LEFT TO RIGHT SINCE ABOUT 30,000 MILES. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $300 TO FIX A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HONDA OBVIOUSLY KNOWS ABOUT. 2. AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING-THAT WAS A $700+ REPAIR FOR A NEW FAN MOTOR . 3. I HAVE GONE THROUGH ABOUT 5 WINDSHIELDS IN 90,000 MILES. GOOD THING I ALWAYS GET ZERO DEDUCTIBLE GLASS COVERAGE! THE LAST WASN'T EVEN DUE TO A CRACK, BUT BECAUSE IT BECAME SO PITTED IT WAS IMPAIRING VISIBILITY. 4. THIS VEHICLE HAS A HUGE BLIND SPOT IN THE DRIVER'S LEFT CORNER. I HAVE HAD COUNTLESS NEAR MISSES-ESPECIALLY PEDESTRIANS IN PARKING LOTS. THE BLIND SPOT IS LARGE ENOUGH TO BLOCK VISION COMPLETELY. *TT

Chest clip won’t pull tight and tethered to pull on lower anchor malfunctions when you pull it is difficult to get tight

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT ROCKS DANGEROUSLY BACK AND FORTH. I ONLY WEIGH 108 POUNDS SO IT'S NOTHING I HAVE DONE TO CAUSE THIS. WHEN I LOOK ONLINE, THOUSANDS OF ELEMENT OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME COMPLAINT. IT IS PRETTY EXPENSIVE TO GET THE SEAT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. I HAVE DRIVEN HONDAS FOR 30 YEARS AND NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE. IT BEGAN A YEAR OR SO AGO AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE!

The check engine light indicated a "gas cap" code, and the "side airbag off" light was illuminated. Upon diagnosis, the technician identified significant rust and cracked transmission components, resulting in fluid leakage. The service department assessed the vehicle as unsafe for operation, waived the diagnostic fees, and replenished the transmission fluid to prevent the risk of being stranded due to a lack of fluid on the return trip. Honda Service Department took the attached photos and documented the vehicle's safety violations.

These cars have severe issues with their frames and they rot. There are TONS of recalls in Canada and I am wondering why the same recalls are not in the US - this is equally dangerous regardless of location - especially upstate NY where the climate is extremely similar to Canada. I have had TWO LIFE THREATENING INCIDENTS recently - one with the front axel completely breaking several months ago, and yesterday when the frame and rear axel fell apart. Fortunately both times, I was barely moving or I would likely not be here to be typing this. My frame is so rusted, it is disintegrating and beyond repair. I was advised by my local Sheriff to check on the recalls in Canada and there are so many, basically the whole frame is recalled - I am writing to report that I am in several Honda Element groups here in the US, and there are hundreds of life threatening posts in these groups regularly. This should absolutely be addressed. It is clearly a problem. As you can see in my attachments, otherwise the vehicle is in amazing condition. This is really devastating - and I have a vehicle that I cannot sell or trade-in. There is no value whatsoever and it is beyond repair.

WINDOW MOTOR DIDNT LET WINDOW GO UP.. WINDOW WENT DOWN N WASN'T ABLE TO ROLL UP.. LOUD NOISE FROM DRIVER WINDOW MOTOR..MY CAR WAS PARKED N WHEN TURN ON CAR WINDOW DROPPED ALSO POWER STEERING N KNOCK SENSOR CAUSING NO PRESSURE TO MOVE. HESITATION LOSS OF FUEL

2006 HONDA ELEMENT APPROX 114,000 MILES. VEHICLE LOW BEAMS BOTH STOP WORKING SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT VARIOUS SPEEDS INCREASING LIKELIHOOD OF CRASH. THIS IS RECURRENT ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND OTHER HONDA MODELS INCLUDING PILOT AND FIT. ISSUE RELATES TO BURNING CONTACT IN WIRING HARNESS. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING/ DESIGN THAT PUTS DRIVERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS AT RISK OF ACCIDENT.

Honda Canada recognized the safety risks from salt damage to the frames and rear suspension of Honda Elements and recalled all years of the Element for warranty repairs, or if the damage was too severe, buy back of the vehicles. Yet they have not in the USA in rust belt states where salt damage is prevalent. As you will note from the attached photos, severe injury or death could occur in a major collision, which falls into the scope of your agency. All Elements in areas where corrosive salty and liquid brine is used are at risk, posing a significant safety hazard. Contacting local Honda dealers confirm the absence of a recall for this issue which puts motorists in this country at risk.

left rear rear trailing arm rusted out. had car checked due to rough ride & was informed said part so rusted it was dangerous to drive. damage so severe repair not feasible. appears this is a problem with elements & some crvs. canada apparently has a recall for this, & US should, too.

The part in my car that has failed twice is the right front seat belt buckle. I was alerted to this problem in June of 2020, when my SRS light lit up. I took the car to AutoNation Honda 104 in Westminster, Co., 80234, on 6/2/20 after learning about Honda's previously documented SRS and seat belt issues. The code that led to the SRS light going on was 22-1, indicating "open or increased resistance in the right buckle tensioner." The part was replaced at that time and the SRS light remained off after the repair. However, in July of 2023, the SRS light went on again. I took it to the same dealership on 7/20/23. I was informed that the same code occurred, and that the part would be replaced again under warranty. However, it was not available due to supply issues. Both times this problem has occurred, I was informed by Honda personnel that the seat belt system might not perform as designed in a crash, creating increased risk of death or injury for a passenger in that seat. I was advised to avoid having passengers ride in that seat. At the 7/20/23 appointment I was informed that the estimated time of arrival (ETA) for this part was 9/2/23. On 9/21/23 I called USA Honda for an update since I had not heard anything from them. I was informed that the ETA was now unknown, and that they would provide me with regular updates via email. However, all subsequent emails indicated an unknown ETA. On 1/10/24 I again contacted contacted USA Honda by phone to ask for an update. I was informed that there is now a "possible" ETA of 5/20/24. Thus the earliest I might get my car fixed is 10 months from when the problem started, if then. Honda has said that the delay is due to problems with the part manufacturer, but has refused to give me information about how to reach this manufacturer. The delay in honoring their warranty, for any reason, amounts to negligence that could lead to death or injury of a passenger, and results in me not being able to use the car as designed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELTS WERE CONNECTED TO THE DOORS WHICH CAUSED A SAFETY CONCERN UPON ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ABOUT 3 - 4 TIMES PER YEAR, THE CAR ENGINE RACES WITHOUT ANY REASON WHY. IT IS NECESSARY TO STAND ON THE BRAKE & SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL; AND THEN WAIT TIL THE ENGINE STOPS RACING (USUALLY 15 - 25 SECONDS). UNTIL 2 DAYS AGO (8/21/2014), IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN BEING ALONE IN THE CAR. HOWEVER, ON THIS OCCASION MY WIFE WAS A PASSENGER. SHE WAS QUITE UPSET OVER THIS THERE IS USUALLY NO INDICATION WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT ON THIS OCCASION, THE BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING PROPERLY WHEN I PULLED INTO A STORE PARKING LOT. CAME TO A STOP SIGN, AND THE ENGINE BEGAN IT'S RACING. SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WAITED ABOUT 15 SECONDS, WHILE ALSO APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CAR THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL. EXCEPT FOR NOTICING SOME DIFFICULTY WITH THE BRAKES, THIS WAS THE USUAL RACING INCIDENT THAT HAS BEEN ENCOUNTERED OVER THE YEARS. SINCE IT HAS ONLY BEEN ME IN THE PAST IN THE VEHICLE, I DID NOT FEEL A NEED TO REPORT THE INCIDENTS. *TR

MY CARS HAS BEEN HESITATING WHEN DRIVEN AND STALLING, I REPLACED THE BATTERY, THEN IT STALLED TWO MORE TIMES. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE CASEY DEALERSHIP THEY PUT IN ON THE COMPUTER AND TEST DROVE THE CAR THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND INFORMED ME IT MAY BE MY FUEL PUMP BUT THE ENGINE IS NOT THROWING A CODE SO I WAS BASICALLY TOLD TO WAIT UNTIL THE CAR WILL NO LONGER START THEN THEY CAN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. 7-27-14 THE CAR HAS STALLED ON ME THREE TIMES TODAY I SENT FOR TOW TRUCK TO TOW IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER JUST WANTED TO SEE IF IT WOULD START AND IT DID OF COURSE. SO NOW I AM BACK TO WAITING FOR IT TO STALL AGAIN AND NOT LET ANYONE ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR. *TR

Chest clip won’t pull tight and tethered to pull on lower anchor malfunctions when you pull it is difficult to get tight

LEFT REAR (DRIVER SIDE) TRAILING CONTROL ARM CAME OUT OF THE MOUNTING BRACKET CAUSING THE TIRE ASSEMBLY TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND NARROWLY ESCAPED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS DEFECT HAS A RECALL NOTICE IN CANADA BUT NOT USA. I NOTICED SIMILIAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS A DESIGN DEFECT BY HONDA WITH NO GOOD REMEDIATION. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF AND GRANCHILDREN IN THE CAR.

The check engine light indicated a "gas cap" code, and the "side airbag off" light was illuminated. Upon diagnosis, the technician identified significant rust and cracked transmission components, resulting in fluid leakage. The service department assessed the vehicle as unsafe for operation, waived the diagnostic fees, and replenished the transmission fluid to prevent the risk of being stranded due to a lack of fluid on the return trip. Honda Service Department took the attached photos and documented the vehicle's safety violations.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION AND THERE WAS NO ONE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

I HIT A DEER LAST DECEMBER AND THE ONLY REASON THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT TOTAL IT WAS BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS JUST ABOUT $10,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR. AFTER WAITING A MONTH AND A HALF, TRAVELING 18 HOURS & SPENDING AN EXTRA $200 FOR TRAVEL TO GO GET MY CAR I FINALLY GOT IT BACK. ALSO, MY CAR DOES NOT IDLE LIKE IT SHOULD. IT WILL ALSO GO DEAD WHEN I COME TO A STOP. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT WILL HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I WILL BE STUCK THERE FOR A FEW MINUTES. *TR

2006 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT COMBINATION SWITCH WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER HEADLIGHTS AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED DUE TO THE VERY LOW FAILURE RATE IN THE ELEMENTS, THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM CREATES OVERHEATING ON THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LOW BEAM FUNCTIONALITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

THERE'S AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE CAR SOMETIMES WILL NOT START RIGHT AWAY. WE HAVE TO GIVE IT SEVERAL TRIES AND USUALLY AFTER 5 MINUTES IT WILL START. WE'VE ALREADY REPLACED THE STARTER AND PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. WE THOUGHT LAST RECALL WOULD HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THIS ISSUE WAS MENTIONED. BUT, THE SAME PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES AFTER LAST RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE REPEATED THREE TIMES AFTER THE INITIAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,300. UPDATED 06/05/12*LJ UPDATED 06/06/12 *JS

MY CARS HAS BEEN HESITATING WHEN DRIVEN AND STALLING, I REPLACED THE BATTERY, THEN IT STALLED TWO MORE TIMES. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE CASEY DEALERSHIP THEY PUT IN ON THE COMPUTER AND TEST DROVE THE CAR THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND INFORMED ME IT MAY BE MY FUEL PUMP BUT THE ENGINE IS NOT THROWING A CODE SO I WAS BASICALLY TOLD TO WAIT UNTIL THE CAR WILL NO LONGER START THEN THEY CAN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. 7-27-14 THE CAR HAS STALLED ON ME THREE TIMES TODAY I SENT FOR TOW TRUCK TO TOW IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER JUST WANTED TO SEE IF IT WOULD START AND IT DID OF COURSE. SO NOW I AM BACK TO WAITING FOR IT TO STALL AGAIN AND NOT LET ANYONE ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR. *TR

2006 HONDA ELEMENT HAD A GAS LEAK ONLY AFTER BEING FIVE MONTHS OLD. HONDA SAID THAT THEY HAVE NOT SEEN THIS OCCUR BEFORE HOWEVER THIS IS THE SECOND BRAND NEW HONDA THAT I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH. I HAD TO BREATH IN GAS FUMES FOR TWO MONTHS WHILE HONDA TRIED TO FIGURE WHERE THE GAS WAS COMING FROM. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT RELEASE OR MOVE. SOMETIMES, THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ABS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

BRAKE PEDAL LOSSES PRESSURE WHEN PRESS FOR A HARD STOP. *TR

WINDOW MOTOR DIDNT LET WINDOW GO UP.. WINDOW WENT DOWN N WASN'T ABLE TO ROLL UP.. LOUD NOISE FROM DRIVER WINDOW MOTOR..MY CAR WAS PARKED N WHEN TURN ON CAR WINDOW DROPPED ALSO POWER STEERING N KNOCK SENSOR CAUSING NO PRESSURE TO MOVE. HESITATION LOSS OF FUEL

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2006 HONDA ELEMENT WITH 4458 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 20 MPH,\ THE VEHICLE FELT UNSTABLE. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND EXAMINED THE TIRE, AND FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DEFLATED. THE CONTACT TRIED TO PUT THE AIR BACK INTO THE TIRE, AND THE AIR CONTINUED TO COME OUT OF THE TIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY RECOMMENDED THAT SHE PURCHASE A NEW TIRE. *AK

2006 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE IS SUBMITTING A COMPLAINT AGAINST HONDA, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT PROVIDE A REASONABLE EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE SAME MODULE SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN RECALL 11V395000. IN NOVEMBER 2009, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO CHECK A RATTLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE DEALER FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION CARRIER BEARING AND QUOTED A PRICE OF $3,300. AFTER COMPLAINING, HONDA AGREED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY THE LABOR. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED HONDA IN OCTOBER 2011 BECAUSE HE DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER. HONDA STATED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER IS NOW CONCERNED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS THE PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL. *JB