2005 Honda Element problems
Owners have filed 203 complaints about the 2005 Honda Element with NHTSA. Air bags account for 37.9% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of electrical system at 7.9%.
Complaints203
Crashes16
Fires7
Injuries22
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Air bags 37.9% · 77
Electrical system 7.9% · 16
Suspension 6.4% · 13
Seats 5.9% · 12
Visibility 5.9% · 12
Engine and engine cooling 4.4% · 9
Power train 4.4% · 9
Seat belts 3.9% · 8
Severity
Of those complaints, 16 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire and 22 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Honda Element in this data, 2005 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2003 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 10 in the last three years against 19 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 80,000 miles.
In owners' own words
While driving through parking lot approaching exit, the passenger side seat airbag deployed without reason. Loud bang, ringing ears, and crying kids. No bumps, potholes, curbs or accident. So far everyone from Honda, the dealer and insurance are all pointing the finger at each other. As seen on this and other sites this seems common however everyone acts like it's the first time they've heard of such a thing. Air bags · reported at 104,830 miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v344000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were 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. Air bags
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 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. Air bags
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…