2006 Honda Element owner complaints

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 driver side and it still did not deploy the airbag. The seatbelt I had on tensed up and kept me from crashing into the steering wheel. I did bounce a little and hit my head either on the side column or the frame above the window. The airbag may have prevented that. I am shocked it did not deploy. *tr

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. Every auto body person I have spoke with says that it should not have deployed for something like a branch. Also, my seat belts are still working which is uncommon after the air bag deploying. Honda has not wanted to take responsibility for the air bag deploying without true cause.

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 less than helpful in this matter. I am just happy it happened in my own driveway ( which I almost drove off of) rather than on the major hwy I had been on the day before as I surely would have crashed. *tr

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 - front, passenger, and side - did not deploy. The safety belt restraint system protected the sole occupant from life-threatening injuries. Who: colorado state patrol. Jefferson county sheriff department, arvada, co police department; and arvada fire department arrived at the scene. The attending law and emergency rescue personnel were surprised that the Honda element airbag system did not deploy d

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 pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Broken window regulator: we were refueling at the gasoline station when suddenly the glass of the window (front passenger side) fell down. Culprit was broken window regulator.

I have a 2006 Honda element. The last few months I've had to replace both power side windows because the window regulator 'came apart.' the car is only 3 years old and for both windows to stop working around the same time makes me think it's a manufacturing situation. *tr

On november 12, 2007, I noticed a horizontal crack in my Honda element's windshield, about 7 inches in length on the driver's side, about halfway up starting at the left side pillar. I bought the vehicle new and it has not been in any kind of accident. I drove in to work and did not notice the crack. I did notice it when going to lunch that same day. The crack was clearly visible as it is in my direct line of sight. It literally appeared out of nowhere. *tr

See Honda safety recall no. R44. Pub NHTSA 2010-08-05 same issue as described. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may unexpectedly deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated. Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash. Personal experience is that my car rolled while I was exiting the vehicle a few times before I figured out I was leaving the car in drive while exiting because I leave my foot on the brake until I jump out. This was scary and nearly disastrous, because with the car rolling backward, it is a dukes of hazard move to jump back in the car while gettin

My driver seat has been cracking and it is like the seat cover that it was made out of was dry rotted. I have talk to other Honda element owners and they are having the same problem. Some with the driver seat, others with the other seat. So, it is not because the driver get in and out more, because it is not only on that side of the seat but the other side as well and back part on the sides. Just don't understand why alot of people are having the same problems with the seat covers as cracking and tearing. *tr

After I had my local Honda dealer complete the air bag recall for the second, my cruse control stopped working and my air bag light came on. I returned to the dealer and they stated that it had nothing to do with the replacement of my air bag and that they would have to charge me to diagnosis the problem. I paid for them to diagnosis, they said it was the seat belt buckle on the drivers seat and that it would cost over $350 and the throttle body would cost $810 to fix the cruse control. I did not pay them for the repair. They "reset" the light, but advised that it would probably come back on. They stated that while the light was on that my SRS system would not work. So now I have a car I love, but am afraid to drive. Seems funny that the light never came on before I let the dealer touch

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda element. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle rolled away and crashed into another vehicle. The contact mentioned that the key was not in the ignition and there was no one inside the vehicle. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

The check engine light indicated a "gas cap" code, and the "side airbag off" light was illuminated. Upon diagnosis, the technician identified significant rust and cracked transmission components, resulting in fluid leakage. The service department assessed the vehicle as unsafe for operation, waived the diagnostic fees, and replenished the transmission fluid to prevent the risk of being stranded due to a lack of fluid on the return trip. Honda Service Department took the attached photos and documented the vehicle's safety violations.

Honda Canada recognized the safety risks from salt damage to the frames and rear suspension of Honda Elements and recalled all years of the Element for warranty repairs, or if the damage was too severe, buy back of the vehicles. Yet they have not in the USA in rust belt states where salt damage is prevalent. As you will note from the attached photos, severe injury or death could occur in a major collision, which falls into the scope of your agency. All Elements in areas where corrosive salty and liquid brine is used are at risk, posing a significant safety hazard. Contacting local Honda dealers confirm the absence of a recall for this issue which puts motorists in this country at risk.

left rear rear trailing arm rusted out. had car checked due to rough ride & was informed said part so rusted it was dangerous to drive. damage so severe repair not feasible. appears this is a problem with elements & some crvs. canada apparently has a recall for this, & US should, too.

There's an electrical problem. The car sometimes will not start right away. We have to give it several tries and usually after 5 minutes it will start. We've already replaced the starter and problem still persists. We thought last recall would have fixed the problem, because this issue was mentioned. But, the same problem still continues after last recall.

2006 Honda element had a gas leak only after being five months old. Honda said that they have not seen this occur before however this is the second brand new Honda that I have had issues with. I had to breath in gas fumes for two months while Honda tried to figure where the gas was coming from. *jb

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Honda element. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the engine idle was not stable causing it to fluctuate from 2000 rpms to 4000 rpms. The dealer was contacted who informed the contact that the throttle body would need to be replaced. The contact did not inform the manufacturer of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000 and the current mileage was approximately 30,000.

Poor radio performance on am stations only when car is moving. Not static. Sounds like loose wire to antenna. Dealer says no information on failure. *nm

Vehicle sustained multiple dents throughout the roof and hood from "simple" acorns falling from a tree. Damage is unacceptable and was basically told by Honda motor corp. That I "shouldn't" park under trees that damage my car. The car parked next to mine sustained "no" damage. No other cars seem to sustain this kind of damage. Absolutely unacceptable structural "intolerance" on this vehicle. My seven previous cars never sustained "any" damage from acorns. I would never have purchased this vehicle, had I known it had such thin metal on its exterior. I was left high & dry by Honda case management as well as by Honda of danbury service department. I am very disappointed with how they were unwilling to help me with my situation. *nm