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.
2006 Honda ElementProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 122 owner complaints about the 2006 Honda Element, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 9 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 July 19, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Honda Element has problems
122 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
55Air bags20 crash/fire/injury
12Visibility
11Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
11Structure2 crash/fire/injury
10Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
9Seats1 crash/fire/injury
5Seat belts
5Power train
4Exterior lighting
2415 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 55 | 20 |
| Visibility | 12 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 1 |
| Structure | 11 | 2 |
| Suspension | 10 | 1 |
| Seats | 9 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 3 |
| Power train | 5 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 2 |
| 15 other systems | 24 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2006 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 · 2019 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Show 5 more recalls
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.
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.
no report yet
Other: owners/service/other manual
Risk. THE LANGUAGE IN THE OWNER'S MANUALS IS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS.
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?
77kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 38 air bags complaints. 61% were reported before 100,000 miles.
12under 30k miles23under 100k miles15100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2006 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
2006 Honda Element safety ratings
2006 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 2006 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-428
In owners' words
What Element owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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)…
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…
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…
Own a 2006 Element?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.