Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Honda Element airbags problems
severe 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
4crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 23 airbags complaints filed for the 2007 Honda Element, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passenger's airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement front passengers airbag inflator only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The bulk of complaints center on Takata inflator recalls (campaigns 14V351000, 13V436000, 15V320000, 16V344000) issued between 2013 and 2016. Owners repeatedly describe receiving recall notices warning that the defect "could kill or injure you," only to find replacement parts unavailable for weeks or months. Dealers and Honda could not provide estimated repair dates, forcing owners to drive unsafe vehicles indefinitely. One owner waited at least four months; others faced three-week-plus backorders. One owner's recall wasn't completed until October 2016 after an extended delay.
Two owners report airbags that failed to deploy during rear-end collisions at 35–55 mph, resulting in occupant injuries (pain, soreness). One vehicle was totaled without diagnosis; the other was never examined.
Separate incidents show airbags deploying at low speed (20 mph, no collision) or, during crashes, causing chemical burns, cuts, and permanent hearing damage (50–70% hearing loss). One owner discovered cut and taped airbag sensor wires at purchase, with recurring sensor faults afterward. Service delays and Honda's unresponsiveness to urgent accommodation requests during recall waits frustrated several owners.
Same Honda Element airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Inflator Recall—Extended Parts Shortage
Honda issued multiple airbag recall notices (campaigns 14V351000, 13V436000, 15V320000, 16V344000) for defective Takata inflators. Owners repeatedly report that replacement parts were unavailable for extended periods—sometimes months—and dealerships and manufacturers could not provide estimated repair dates, leaving owners driving vehicles with known safety defects.
When: Recalls issued 2013–2016; repair delays reported through 2017
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received; No parts available to complete recall repair; Manufacturer unable to provide estimated parts availability date; Unreasonable delays in scheduling recall service
Codes mentioned: 14V351000, 13V436000, 15V320000, 16V344000
Repairs/costs cited: Takata inflator replacement parts; multiple owners report 3+ week backorders, some waiting 4+ months with no completion
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall notices issued; Honda provided case numbers on some complaints but failed to supply parts or timely repair appointments; one owner reports recall performed 10/18/2016 after extended delay
Airbag Failure to Deploy in Crash
Two owners report that airbags did not deploy during moderate-speed rear-end collisions (35–40 mph and 55 mph), resulting in occupant injury. One owner's vehicle was deemed a total loss; the other suffered neck, shoulder, and back pain. No diagnostic work was performed on either vehicle to determine root cause.
When: One incident at ~310,000 miles; another in 2012 at unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment upon impact; Vehicle struck rear of another vehicle at highway speed; Occupant neck, shoulder, and back pain; Occupant left arm pain
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle towed to insurance lot and declared destroyed (not diagnosed); other not taken for diagnosis
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Case number 09915922 provided to one owner; no other manufacturer response documented
Airbag Spontaneous or Unintended Deployment
One owner reported that both front and rear driver-side airbags deployed independently while braking at low speed (20 mph) with no collision. Another owner experienced airbag deployment during a crash, resulting in chemical burns and cuts on the wrist and thumb from the airbag propellant.
When: Low-speed incident at 50,000 miles; crash deployment timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags deployed without collision at 20 mph during braking; Front and rear driver-side airbags both deployed; Airbag deployment caused near third-degree chemical burns and cuts; Dark green substance (airbag propellant residue) on skin; Skin peeling and blistering weeks after deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not taken for diagnosis or repair after spontaneous deployment; second incident required medical care for chemical burn and wound treatment
Airbag Sensor Wiring Damage and SRS Light
One owner purchased a used Element from a dealer with airbag sensor wires intentionally cut and taped together as a patch. In December 2016, the airbag warning light illuminated. A Honda dealer confirmed the sensors were bad with the same fault codes as the original damage. Owner fears airbags will not deploy in a crash.
When: Discovered December 2016 (purchase date and original damage date unknown)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light on; Airbag sensor wires cut and spliced with tape; Same fault codes as original cut-wire damage
Repairs/costs cited: Wires were cut and taped as temporary repair; dealer diagnosed bad sensors
Airbag Deployment Causing Hearing Loss
One owner's airbags deployed during a crash when another vehicle ran a stop sign at approximately 40 mph. The owner reports permanent hearing loss in both ears—50% loss in left ear, 70% loss in right ear—attributed to airbag noise and concussive force.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployed during crash; Permanent hearing loss in both ears after deployment; Hearing loss: 50% left ear, 70% right ear
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I purchased a car from rausch motors in parker with the wires to the air bag sensors being cut and taped together, he patched it up and not dec 2016 my air bag light came on. I was told by a Honda dealer that the sensors are bad, same codes as before. I am worried that in case of a crash the airbags wont deploy. Rausch motors denies responsibility and tells me that sensors fail.
Driver airbag deployed in element when it hit rear end of vehicle that was stopped in lane of traffic due to having rear ended vehicle in from of it. Element driver suffered near 3rd degree chemical burns & cut on right wrist, burn on left thumb joint, bruise & cut under left ribcage. 2 weeks later still treating dollar size chemical burn & skin peeling on right wrist. Dark green substance was on…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 Honda element. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v344000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Had airbags trouble with your 2007 Honda Element?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2007 Honda Element?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 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?
Based on the 23 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 134,800 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Honda/Element.
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.