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.
2007 Honda ElementProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 112 owner complaints about the 2007 Honda Element, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 10 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 June 14, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2007 Honda Element has problems
112 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
27Air bags4 crash/fire/injury
22Electrical system
14Suspension2 crash/fire/injury
11Service brakes, hydraulic
7Engine
7Visibility
6Structure
5Power train
5Vehicle speed control
2913 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 27 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 22 | 0 |
| Suspension | 14 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 11 | 0 |
| Engine | 7 | 2 |
| Visibility | 7 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 1 |
| Power train | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 |
| 13 other systems | 29 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2007 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 6 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
Electrical system: wiring
Risk. Without trailer turn signal illumination, the driver's intent is not communicated, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
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
Service brakes, air
Risk. IF THE OWNER DOES NOT HAVE ANY BRAKE SERVICE OR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS OR YEARS, THE SYSTEM CAN CONTINUE TO ACCUMULATE ENOUGH AIR TO…
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.
Best & worst years
2007 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
2007 Honda Element safety ratings
2007 Honda Element 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 3 stars (20.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2007 Honda Element, and the recalls they led to.
- Air in brake systemLed to recall 10V-098
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 22V-945
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 13V-172
In owners' words
What Element owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE SRS SENSOR IS BAD DUE TO AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL BEING RECALLED AND REPLACED IS PART OF THE SYSTEM THAT AIR BAG FUNCTIONS. I BELIEVE THE OR ALL PARTS SHOULD RECALLED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT LATER EXPERIENCED PAIN IN THE LEFT ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS…
TAKATA RECALL: THIS IS REGARDING A 2007 HONDA ELEMENT. WE HAVE NOT OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2007, AND PROBABLY TRADED IT ON ANOTHER CAR. IT'S BERN SUCH A LONG TIME, WE DO NOT REMEMBER WHICH DEALER WE DEALT WITH. WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS RECALL NOTICES FROM HONDA, AND EACH TIME, BY PHONE OR…
Own a 2007 Element?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.