repaired · 2020 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2005 Honda ElementProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 159 owner complaints about the 2005 Honda Element, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-499 the manufacturer reports only 22% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 1, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Honda Element has problems
159 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
76Air bags20 crash/fire/injury
16Electrical system5 crash/fire/injury
13Suspension
12Seats
12Visibility2 crash/fire/injury
9Power train
9Engine and engine cooling
8Structure
8Seat belts
3112 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 76 | 20 |
| Electrical system | 16 | 5 |
| Suspension | 13 | 0 |
| Seats | 12 | 0 |
| Visibility | 12 | 2 |
| Power train | 9 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 0 |
| Structure | 8 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 8 | 0 |
| 12 other systems | 31 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2005 Honda Element recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other…
repaired · 2018 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 3 more recalls
repaired · 2017 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
no report yet
Automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Honda.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
80kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 53 air bags complaints. 55% were reported before 100,000 miles.
9under 30k miles29under 100k miles24100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other Element year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Element median. How we score
'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Honda Element safety ratings
2005 Honda Element 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Honda Element, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 22V-945
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-763
In owners' words
What Element owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
On 8.31.26, while driving my 2005 Honda Element Mileage: Approximately 125,000), the front passenger-side airbag spontaneously deployed without warning.There was absolutely no vehicle collision, physical impact, pothole, undercarriage strike, or jarring event to trigger a deployment. Approximately…
MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT CONSTANTLY DISPLAY AIRBAG OFF, WHEN IT'S INACCURATE, DASHBOARD LIGHT DOESN'T WORK. THERE'S SOME KIND OF SHORTAGE BECAUSE IT BLINKS, COME ON AND GO OFF AND STAY OFF. IT SHOWS THE SAME INFORMATION, RATHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY. ARE THERE RECALLS ON THIS CAR? IT'S BEEN ONE…
THE AIR BAG STAYS ON EVEN AFTER A THE LEFT AIR BAG ASSEMBLY REPLACED. THERE IS A LOUD KNOCKING FRONT END WHICH IS WORSE WHEN IT IS GOING ABOUT 15-30 MILES.
Own a 2005 Element?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.