RoadVitals

2008 Honda Element Airbags Problems

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.
23
Latest Aug 13, 2022
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.
21%
of 111 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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

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 2008 Honda Element submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Airbags
Filed Aug 13, 2022

Airbag warning light stays on. Dealer indicates that the problem is a weight sensor. Dealer stated that seat belt issues and airbag issues were warranted by Honda. Dealer indicated that the weight sensor issue, which is used to deploy the airbag is not warranted. If seatbelts and airbags are warranted, why would the weight sensors that are an integral part of the SRS not be warranted? Dealer has estimated the cost of repairs at $1,240.47. Part to complete the repair is not available at this time. Per the dealer, it has been ordered with shipping date TBD.

NHTSA ID
11479122
Incident
Jun 11, 2022
Airbags
Filed Jan 7, 2022

while driving 65 mph on the freeway my side passenger curtain airbag and the airbag in the from passenger seat deployed. We did not hit anything nor is there any visible damage to the exterior or underside of the car

NHTSA ID
11446665
Incident
Jan 1, 2022
Airbags
Filed Sep 5, 2019

TAKATA INFLATORS, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET HONDA TO FIX THE AIRBAG PROBLEM SINCE WE GOT THE FIRST LETTER IN THE MAIL AND EVEN HAD PEOPLE FROM HONDA COME TO OUR HOUSE AND WE HAVE SET UP VARIOUS APPOINTMENTS FOR THEM TO COME OUT TO REPLACE AIRBAGS TO ONLY HAVE AN EXCUSE OR NO SHOW, AS I TYPE THIS I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE FOR 40 MIN NOW TRYING TO GET THEAIR BAGS FIXED BUT STILL NO RESPONSE, I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON GETTING THE SAME TREATMENT FROM HONDA

NHTSA ID
11253380
Incident
Sep 4, 2019
Airbags
Filed Nov 13, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INQUIRIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 198,318.

NHTSA ID
11151322
Incident
Oct 6, 2018
Mileage
198,318 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 28, 2017

PASSENGER FRONTAL AIRBAG INFLATOR HAD A RECALL IN JULY 2016. FINALLY, IN MARCH 2017, THE PART IS AVAILABLE AND CAN BE REPLACED, MORE THAN 8 MONTHS LATER

NHTSA ID
10969190
Incident
Mar 28, 2017
Mileage
98,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 25, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 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 CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10918740
Incident
May 23, 2016
Airbags
Filed Oct 18, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10916727
Incident
Oct 18, 2016
Airbags
Filed Oct 13, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS 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. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10915720
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Oct 3, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 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 CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10911192
Incident
Jun 13, 2016
Airbags
Filed Sep 14, 2016

TAKATA RECALL - I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP (STUART, FL HONDA) TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THEY CAN ORDER THE PART BUT HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT WILL BE IN AND THAT IT COULD BE WEEKS OR MONTHS. THE MAN SAID PEOPLE WAITED FROM MARCH UNTIL SEPT TO GET DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAGS, AND THE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL GET THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TO FIX MY CAR. FURTHER, IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH THE RECALL LETTER FROM HONDA, THE SERVICE PERSON SAID THERE IS NO RISK OF METAL COMING OUT OF THE AIRBAG. THE DEALER ALOS REFUSED TO PROVIDE A LOANER CAR. I THEN CALLED AMERICAN HONDA, THEY GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER AND ALSO COULD NOT TELL ME WHEN I CAN GET MY CAR FIXED. I SPOKE TO GLORIA WHO SAID THERE IS NO ROSK TO THE BACK SEAT. I RECEIVED THE HONDA RECALL LETTER IN JULY 2016 AND HONDA STILL CANNOT PROVIDE A ESTIMATE FOR WHEN I CAN HAVE THE CAR FIXED, OR PROVIDE A LOANER CAR.

NHTSA ID
10906297
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Sep 6, 2016

2008 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG RECALL NOTICE AND REQUESTS ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION. *SMD

NHTSA ID
10898838
Incident
Sep 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 5, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 09/20/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID
10893587
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 3, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10892841
Incident
Jun 6, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 1, 2016

TAKATA RECALL- I FEEL THAT HAVING TO WAIT AN ESTIMATED ONE TO TWO MONTHS FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS UNACCEPTABLE. WE ARE UNABLE TO USE OUR VEHICLE FOR CARPOOLING WHICH IS HOW WE UTILIZE THIS VEHICLE. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG WAS RECALLED LONG AGO--- I FEEL THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS PROBABLY BEEN A DANGER FOR A LONG TIME AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG WAS RECALLED. I FEEL THAT THE SAFETY OF CONSUMERS HAS BEEN COMPROMISED BY THE DELAY IN ISSUING A RECALL AND THE DELAY IN GETTING THE NECESSARY PARTS WHEN THE RECALL WAS INITIATED.

NHTSA ID
10892153
Incident
Jul 20, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10892100
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jul 27, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10889112
Incident
Jul 19, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jul 20, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR THE AIR BAGS. THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVALIABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. ....UPDATED 09/14/16 *BF *CN

NHTSA ID
10886178
Incident
Jul 20, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jul 20, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10886162
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jul 23, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V320000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10736104
Incident
Mar 27, 2015
Airbags
Filed Apr 27, 2015

THERE HAS BEEN NO CRASH AS SUCH--I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT HONDA'S LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS TO THE AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS RECALL TAKEN CARE OF FOR SOME TIME. CURRENTLY, A HONDA DEALERSHIP HAS MY CAR BUT I CAN GET NO INFORMATION FROM THEM ABOUT WHEN THE PART WILL BE IN--THEY DID NOT EVEN SEEM FAMILIAR WITH THE RECALL WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE & SHOWED THEM THE LETTER. I DO HAVE A RENTAL CAR FOR NOW, BUT THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AS A LONG-TERM SOLUTION. A CALL TO CUSTOMER SERVICE RESULTED IN MY BEING TOLD (POLITELY!!) THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, IT WAS A BIG RECALL, IT WAS ALL IN THE HANDS OF THE DEALERSHIP. I DID RECEIVE A CASE NUMBER TO ASSIST IN GETTING A BETTER RENTAL, BUT WAS TOLD THEY WOULD CALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE--??WHENEVER THAT IS. I FEEL THAT I AM RECEIVING THE RUNAROUND FROM THIS HONDA DEALERSHIP, THAT POSSIBLY HONDA IS STALLING ON THE RECALL, HOPING PEOPLE WILL JUST GET TIRED AND GIVE UP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10713246
Incident
Apr 27, 2015
Airbags
Filed Mar 30, 2015

I AM FOLLOWING UP ON MY RECENT REPLACEMENT OF THE RECALLED DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. WORRIED THAT THE SAME PROBLEM COULD EXIST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, I HAVE CONTACTED HONDA TO INQUIRE IF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS SIMILAR TO THE RECALLED ITEM AND ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. HONDA HAS TOLD ME THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS A TAKATA BRAND BUT A DIFFERENT MODEL. UPON RESEARCH ON YOUR SITE, I FOUND THAT HONDA ELEMENT YEARS 2003-2004 HAVE HAD A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR DESIGN AND VINTAGE AIR BAG UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN 14V700000. THIS RECALL IS FOLLOWING THE SAME DECISION MAKING PROCESS THAT HAS LED TO THE LARGER DRIVER SIDE RECALL. RATHER THAN WAIT FOR SIMILAR EVENTS TO OCCUR, WOULDN'T IT BE PRUDENT TO REPLACE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IN MY VEHICLE NOW INSTEAD OF WAITING FOR THE REPORT OF INJURIES IN BOTH HIGH HUMIDITY AND MORE NORTHERN SITES? AS THESE VEHICLES AGE, THEY HAVE MORE EXPOSURE TO HIGH TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY WEATHER AND WILL VERY LIKELY HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10702685
Incident
Feb 26, 2015
Mileage
40,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 20, 2014

2008 HONDA ELEMENT CONSUMER IS REQUESTING A RECALL EXPANSION REGARDING TAKATA AIR BAGS. *CN

NHTSA ID
10653317
Incident
Nov 3, 2014
Airbags
Filed Nov 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10658539
Incident
Nov 3, 2014

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .