I WAS DRIVING ON A CURVY ROAD WHERE IT HAD RECENTLY RAINED - ONLY DRIVER WAS IN VEHICLE. THE ELEMENT SUV SKID AND POSSIBLY HYDROPLANED A LITTLE. THE SUV JUMPED THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE COLUMN OF A FREEWAY OVERPASS. THE FRONT END WAS SMASHED IN AND THE RADIATOR WAS DESTROYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE COLLISION WAS MORE ON THE DRI…
2006 honda Element airbags problems
severe 53 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100
Complaints
53
Recalls
0
Crashes
14
Avg fix
$1,100
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG CAME OUT AFTER RUNNING OVER A BRANCH THAT I COULD NOT AVOID. I CAME OVER A HILL ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND THE BRANCHES WERE ALL OVER THE ROAD. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR BECAUSE I SMELLED SMOKE. IT WAS ONLY UPON GETTING BACK IN MY CAR THAT I REALIZED THE AIR BAG WAS HANGING OUT. IT DID NOT INFLATE JUST CAME OUT. I RECENTLY HAD THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. E…
I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY OWN DRIVEWAY, WHEN THERE WAS A VERY LOUD EXPLOSION TO MY RIGHT. AFTER A MOMENT, I REALIZED THE PASSENGER SEAT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE SEAT AT THE TIME. MY RIGHT EAR RANG FOR QUITE SOME TIME AFTER. LUCKILY, MY DOG WAS CRATED BEHIND ME. I ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS TO DISSIPATE THE POWDER FLOATING ABOUT. HONDA, BOTH THE LOCAL DEALER AND CORPORATE, HAVE BEEN …
WHEN: MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON WEDNESDAY, 11/07/2007, 1515HRS WHERE: SOUTHBOUND CO HWY 93 AND EASTBOUND CO HWY 72; JEFFERSON COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO; WHAT: MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT: 2006 HONDA ELEMENT WAS STRUCK BY AN SUV. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED THE 2006 HONDA ELEMENT TO ROLLOVER, ONCE, BEFORE RIGHTING ONTO ITS WHEELS. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE ELEMENT AUTOMOBILE. NOTABLY, THE AIRBAGS - FR…
I CALLED BRAMAN HONDA IN MIAMI, FLORIDA (7000 CORAL WAY, MIAMI, FL 33155, (800) 568-9724), IN ORDER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR RECALL #14V-351 (AIRBAGS), AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD TRY TO GET BACK TO ME IN THREE WEEKS. I WAS NOT OFFERED A LOANER, UNTIL THE PART ARRIVED, AND I PURCHASED MY CAR NEW THERE. IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES, I WANT THIS ON THE RECORD. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PUR…
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 honda Element?
It's a meaningful issue. 53 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.