2006 Honda Element Complaint Log

THIS VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO A NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE WHICH WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. THE IMPACT WAS FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TO FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHICH RESULTED IN THE DRIVER LOSING CONSCIOUSNESS AND SUFFERING A CONCUSSION. *JS

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELTS WERE CONNECTED TO THE DOORS WHICH CAUSED A SAFETY CONCERN UPON ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

BRAKE PEDAL LOSSES PRESSURE WHEN PRESS FOR A HARD STOP. *TR

MY CARS HAS BEEN HESITATING WHEN DRIVEN AND STALLING, I REPLACED THE BATTERY, THEN IT STALLED TWO MORE TIMES. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE CASEY DEALERSHIP THEY PUT IN ON THE COMPUTER AND TEST DROVE THE CAR THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND INFORMED ME IT MAY BE MY FUEL PUMP BUT THE ENGINE IS NOT THROWING A CODE SO I WAS BASICALLY TOLD TO WAIT UNTIL THE CAR WILL NO LONGER START THEN THEY CAN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. 7-27-14 THE CAR HAS STALLED ON ME THREE TIMES TODAY I SENT FOR TOW TRUCK TO TOW IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER JUST WANTED TO SEE IF IT WOULD START AND IT DID OF COURSE. SO NOW I AM BACK TO WAITING FOR IT TO STALL AGAIN AND NOT LET ANYONE ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STREET AT THE RATE OF ABOUT 20 MPH AND HEARD A POP AND I LOST HEARING AND SENSES AND MY ARM FLEW SIDEWAYS BECAUSE MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED. AFTER REGAINING MY SENSES, I GOT OUT OF MY HONDA ELEMENT TO CHECK TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT AND I SAW NO DAMAGE. MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON AND INJURED MY ARM. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE HONDA DEALERSHIP BEING INSPECTED. *TR

DRIVING ON GRAVEL ROAD 30 MPH DRIVERS SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ROAD IN FAIR-TO GOOD CONDITION. NO CONTACT MADE WITH ANY OBJECT. DRIVER WAS STUNNED WITH SURPRISE COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. HONDA CHECKED OUT BY DEALER AND HONDA REFUSED TO PAY SAYING NOT A DEFECT IN CAR. *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 GETTING IMPACTED BY THE DOOR, THEN LAUNCHING INTO THE SEAT AND HITTING THE FOOT PEDAL BRAKE. IT IS A FRIGHTENING HAZARD, BUT THE $800-1K TO FIX IS A BARRIER TO MANY PEOPLE. I CHOOSE TO ALWAYS USE THE PARKING BREAK INSTEAD OF PAY THAT MUCH. I FIND THIS A FRIGHTENING PROBLEM THAT IS AN ABSOLUTE SAFETY ISSUE HONDA KNOWS ABOUT AND SHOULD FIX.

I HIT A DEER LAST DECEMBER AND THE ONLY REASON THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT TOTAL IT WAS BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS JUST ABOUT $10,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR. AFTER WAITING A MONTH AND A HALF, TRAVELING 18 HOURS & SPENDING AN EXTRA $200 FOR TRAVEL TO GO GET MY CAR I FINALLY GOT IT BACK. ALSO, MY CAR DOES NOT IDLE LIKE IT SHOULD. IT WILL ALSO GO DEAD WHEN I COME TO A STOP. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT WILL HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND I WILL BE STUCK THERE FOR A FEW MINUTES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE DEPLOYMENT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED I REAR ENDED VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO FRONT BUMPER, HOOD AND DRIVER SIDE PANEL, THERE WAS NO INJURIES THANK GOD DRIVER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ALSO PASSENGER ON REAR SIDE SEAT BELT SNAPPED THIS WAS MY SECOND FENDER BENDER IN THREE YEARS WHERE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN BECAUSE MY FAMILY'S SAFETY IS MY PRIORITY AND HONDA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS SERIOUSLY BEFORE MAJOR INJURIES OR DEATHS OCCURS. *TR

2006 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT COMBINATION SWITCH WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER HEADLIGHTS AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED DUE TO THE VERY LOW FAILURE RATE IN THE ELEMENTS, THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM CREATES OVERHEATING ON THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF LOW BEAM FUNCTIONALITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

DRIVER'S SEAT IS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS CONDITION DURING DRIVING AS IT MAY AFFECT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SAFETY INSPECTOR ALSO SAYS THAT THE SEAT MAY COME LOOSE -- THEREFORE THAT VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTOR FAILED MY VEHICLE DURING ITS ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION. ALL OF THESE COMMON COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE SUBJECT OF A RECALL SINCE THE SEAT'S DESIGN WAS FAULTY. THIS IS EVIDENCED BY HONDA'S TSB STATING THAT AN ADDITIONAL SPACER SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE WORN OUT BUSHINGS TO PREVENT FUTURE OCCURRENCE OF THIS INCIDENT. ISN'T THAT EVIDENCE THAT THEIR DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE FROM THE BEGINNING? NHTSA SHOULD LIKEWISE DO ITS JOB BY FORCING A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES. WOULD THEY RATHER HAVE A CONSUMER ACCIDENT OCCUR FIRST BEFORE THEY DO THEIR JOB? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE LOW BEAN ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V136000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 05/15/13*LJ UPDATED 05/30/2013 *JS

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

THE SUN VISOR MOUNT HAS LOOSENED UP OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO. TODAY, I PULLED DOWN THE SUN VISOR TO BLOCK THE SUN AND WHEN I ACCELERATED THE ENTIRE THING FELL ON MY FACE WHILE I WAS DRIVING, TEMPORARILY BLOCKING MY VISION. THE ENTIRE MOUNT AND VISOR CAME OUT OF THE CEILING OF MY CAR AND FELL ON ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OR ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST SIX TIMES WHO RAN SEVERAL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE REPEATED THREE TIMES AFTER THE INITIAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,300. UPDATED 06/05/12*LJ UPDATED 06/06/12 *JS

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BOOM. MY ARM WENT NUMB AND MY LEFT EAR WAS SILENT. AS I LOOKED DOWN, I NOTICED THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. NOTHING HIT ME. THERE IS NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE SEAT RIPPED OPEN WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND THE AIRBAG LEFT A SIZABLE WELT AND BRUISE ON MY ARM. THERE IS NO REASON THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP YET BUT HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A FEW MECHANICS AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY REASON THAT THE AIRBAG HAS DEPLOYED. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THIS WEEK. FROM MY PERSONAL RESEARCH, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. HONDA IS AWARE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH A UNEXPLAINABLE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND HAS MADE NO ACTION TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. AS IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN, IT WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE WILL BE FATALLY INJURED. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

IN COLD WEATHER AND COLD STARTS. ENGINE STALLS AT STOPS. SLOWING DOWN BETWEEN 15 MPH AND 0 MPH ENGINE STALLS. SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN ENGINE WILL STALL DURING TURN. LOSE STEERING ABILITY WHEN ENGINE STOPS. *TR

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT FAILURE - THE HEADLIGHTS ON THIS 2006 HONDA ELEMENT FAILED IN MUCH THE SAME MANNER AS DESCRIBED IN THE 2007 HONDA FIT RECALL AND THE 2002-2003 HONDA CIVIC RECALL. THE HEADLIGHT WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR IS BURNT ON THE SECOND PIN FROM THE LEFT-HAND SIDE, ON THE TOP OF THE CONNECTOR, IF ONE LOOKED AT IT AS IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE SWITCH. *TR

I RAN HEAD ON INTO THE SIDE OF A MITSUBISHI MONTERO GOING 40 MPH. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH THERE WASN'T A PASSENGER. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE, FIREMEN, PARAMEDICS, AND INSURANCE ADJUSTERS WERE ALL SHOCKED WHEN THEY SAW THE CAR WITH THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYED. I HAVE A PHOTO OF THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR THAT I CAN E-MAIL TO YOU WHICH WILL SHOW THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE. I HAVE A PHOTO OF THE INSIDE SHOWING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND THE DRIVER AIRBAG INTACT. *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.

CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AFTER PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACE. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WITH BRAKE, STOP AND TURN OFF THE CAR. HAS NOT OCCURRED SINCE. *LN

HONDA ELEMENT (2006) HAS A POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE, DRIVER'S SIDE (FRONT LEFT). DIAGNOSED AS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDOW REGULATOR CABLE. REPAIR EXPECTED TO BE AROUND $300 - $400 AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP ($500 PLUS AT THE DEALERSHIP). THIS SAME HONDA ELEMENT HAS A CRACKED WINDSHIELD THAT SPONTANEOUSLY CRACKED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A TOLL ROAD WITH NO OTHER CARS WITHIN 20 CAR LENGTHS AND NO VISIBLE ROCKS OR OTHER OBJECTS IN THE ROADWAY. HONDA ACCORD (1998) HAS ALL FOUR WINDOWS WITH POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE. EACH REPAIR IS JUST UNDER $500 WITH TAX AT THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

ON 9/7/10 WHILE DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON I-15 SOUTH OF LAS VEGAS, NV THE RIGHT FRONT. PASSENGER AIRBAG ON MY 2006 HONDA ELEMENT INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR COLLISION OF ANY KIND.MY WIFE WAS SITTING IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT BLEW A HOLE THROUGH A BLANKET MY WIFE HAD WRAPPED AROUND HER INJURING HER RIGHT ARM AND SHOULDER. UPON RETURNING TO MY HOME IN VENTURA, CA I CONTACTED A LOCAL HONDA DEALER IN OXNARD, CA. THEY WERE VERY CIRCUMSPECT IN THEIR DISCUSSIONS WITH ME AND I WAS ASKED TO VISIT THEM ON 9/13/10 WITH ANY "ADDITIONAL INFORMATION" I MAY HAVE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH SINCE THE INCIDENT IN QUESTION AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT OTHER INCIDENTS SUCH AS MINE HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PAST AND HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO YOUR AGENCY, BUT WITH LITTLE OR NO RESULTS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT NORTH AMERICAN HONDA HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEM(S). SO FAR AS I CAN TELL FROM MY RESEARCH NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET BY PREVIOUS INCIDENTS IN A HONDA ELEMENT SUCH AS MINE. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE YOU CAN PUT AN "X" IN THE DEATH OR FATALITY BOX ON YOUR FORM. IT'S TIME YOUR AGENCY STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AND DID SOMETHING TO FORCE HONDA TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR

ON 9/7/10 WHILE DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON I-15 SOUTH OF LAS VEGAS, NV THE RIGHT FRONT. PASSENGER AIRBAG ON MY 2006 HONDA ELEMENT INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR COLLISION OF ANY KIND. MY WIFE WAS SITTING IN THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT BLEW A HOLE THROUGH A BLANKET MY WIFE HAD WRAPPED AROUND HER INJURING HER RIGHT ARM AND SHOULDER. UPON RETURNING TO MY HOME IN VENTURA, CA I CONTACTED A LOCAL HONDA DEALER IN OXNARD, CA. THEY WERE VERY CIRCUMSPECT IN THEIR DISCUSSIONS WITH ME AND I WAS ASKED TO VISIT THEM ON 9/13/10 WITH ANY "ADDITIONAL INFORMATION" I MAY HAVE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH SINCE THE INCIDENT IN QUESTION AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT OTHER INCIDENTS SUCH AS MIN E HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PAST AND HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO YOUR AGENCY, BUT WITH LITTLE OR NO RESULTS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT NORTH AMERICAN HONDA HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEM(S). SO FAR AS I CAN TELL FROM MY RESEARCH NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET BY PREVIOUS INCIDENTS IN A HONDA ELEMENT SUCH AS MINE. IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE YOU CAN PUT AN "X" IN THE DEATH OR FATALITY BOX ON YOUR FORM. IT'S TIME YOUR AGENCY STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AND DID SOMETHING TO FORCE HONDA TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR

DROVE CAR ON A 6 HR TRIP WITH ONE STOP FOR GAS DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS THEREFORE THERE WAS NO NEED TO TURN HEADLIGHTS ON. WHEN REACHING DESTINATION, HEADLIGHTS HAD TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES ALTHOUGH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON THE STEERING COLUMN REMAINED IN THE 'OFF' POSITION AND WAS NEVER TURNED ON BY THE DRIVER THAT DAY. CAR HEADLIGHT WARNING WOULD NOT SOUND WHEN CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND DOOR OPEN EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON. REMOVED HEADLIGHT FUSE THAT NIGHT. THE NEXT DAY, INSERTED FUSE AND HEADLIGHTS WERE STILL ON. TOOK TO HONDA DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED HEADLIGHT RELAY BUT THAT SAME DAY HEADLIGHTS CONTINUED TO TURN ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. DEALERSHIP REPLACED ENTIRE FUSE BOX TO FIX THE PROBLEM. LESS THAN ONE WEEK LATER, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WILL NOT GO OVER3,000 RPM. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHO STATED THAT THE VTECH SENSOR FOR OIL PRESSURE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IN AUG 2006 SO ONLY HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY ONE OWNER FOR 4 YEARS WITH DEALER RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED. *TR

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.

ABOUT 3 - 4 TIMES PER YEAR, THE CAR ENGINE RACES WITHOUT ANY REASON WHY. IT IS NECESSARY TO STAND ON THE BRAKE & SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL; AND THEN WAIT TIL THE ENGINE STOPS RACING (USUALLY 15 - 25 SECONDS). UNTIL 2 DAYS AGO (8/21/2014), IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN BEING ALONE IN THE CAR. HOWEVER, ON THIS OCCASION MY WIFE WAS A PASSENGER. SHE WAS QUITE UPSET OVER THIS THERE IS USUALLY NO INDICATION WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT ON THIS OCCASION, THE BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING PROPERLY WHEN I PULLED INTO A STORE PARKING LOT. CAME TO A STOP SIGN, AND THE ENGINE BEGAN IT'S RACING. SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WAITED ABOUT 15 SECONDS, WHILE ALSO APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CAR THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL. EXCEPT FOR NOTICING SOME DIFFICULTY WITH THE BRAKES, THIS WAS THE USUAL RACING INCIDENT THAT HAS BEEN ENCOUNTERED OVER THE YEARS. SINCE IT HAS ONLY BEEN ME IN THE PAST IN THE VEHICLE, I DID NOT FEEL A NEED TO REPORT THE INCIDENTS. *TR

POWER WINDOW REGULATOR ON FRONT LEFT WINDOW HAD TO BE REPLACED 11/2009. POWER WINDOW FAILED TO GO UP, DIAGNOSED AS BROKEN WINDOW REGULATOR CABLE. 5/2010 FRONT RIGHT WINDOW FAILED TO LIFT. SEEMS TO BE SAME PROBLEM WITH POWER WINDOW MECHANISM. *TR

WINDSHIELD ON 2006 HONDA ELEMENT CHIPS VERY EASILY AND CRACKS APPEAR WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH, WITHIN AN HOUR, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE NOR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WAS NOT WILLING TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,601 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,704. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

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

2006 HONDA ELEMENT. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TRANSMISSION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE IS SUBMITTING A COMPLAINT AGAINST HONDA, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT PROVIDE A REASONABLE EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE SAME MODULE SOFTWARE DESCRIBED IN RECALL 11V395000. IN NOVEMBER 2009, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO CHECK A RATTLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE DEALER FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION CARRIER BEARING AND QUOTED A PRICE OF $3,300. AFTER COMPLAINING, HONDA AGREED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY THE LABOR. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED HONDA IN OCTOBER 2011 BECAUSE HE DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER. HONDA STATED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER IS NOW CONCERNED THAT HIS VEHICLE HAS THE PROBLEM AS STATED IN THE RECALL. *JB

I NOTICED THAT THE SIDE DOORS LATCH ALONG THE RUNNING BOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY 2006 HONDA ELEMENT HAD COME LOOSE. THE TWO SIZABLE BOLTS THAT SHOULD SECURE THE LATCH TO THE VEHICLE BODY FLOAT FREELY WHEN THE LATCH CAN BE MOVED BY HAND. VISUALLY, THE ONLY THING THAT SEEMS TO BE KEEPING THE LATCH FROM FALLING ONTO THE STREET IS THE BLACK PLASTIC INTERIOR STRIPS THAT OVERLAP THE FLANGE OF THE LATCH. LOOKS TO ME THAT IF THAT LATCH COMES FREE FROM THE VEHICLE THEN BOTH DOORS COULD POTENTIALLY SWING OPEN CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE DEPLOYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF AIR BAGS DEPLOYING WITHOUT AN IMPACT OCCURRING AND WOULD NOT ASSUME LIABILITY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 26,000.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 HONDA ELEMENT DOWN THE ROAD TO GET OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE CAR ONLY HAS 24,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS IN ARROWHEAD HONDA IN PEORIA, AZ ON JUNE 30TH 09 FOR A OIL CHANGE. AS I WAS DRIVING THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG(SEAT AIRBAG) DEPLOYED. IT WAS AN EXTREMELY LOAD BANG. I PULLED OVER TO SEE IF IT WAS MY TIRE OR WHAT HAD HAPPENED. THERE WAS NO DEBRIS ROAD AT ALL. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN. I TOOK IT BACK TO ARROWHEAD HONDA, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. THEY SAID I HAD TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM FOR THIS. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. HONDA NEEDS TO FIX THIS. *TR

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO SCHOOL WHEN SUDDENLY THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG EXPLODED INTO HER SIDE. SHE HADN'T HIT A POT HOLE AND HADN'T RUN OVER ANYTHING. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CHECKED TO SEE IF SHE HAD BEEN SHOT. SHE SAID SMOKE OR A GAS RELEASED FROM THE AIRBAG. SHE TOOK IT TO THE CLOSEST HONDA DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALERSHIP DID AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SENSORS AND EXAMINED UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THEY SAID THAT THE CAR MUST HAVE RUN OVER AN OBJECT THAT SET THE SENSORS OFF BECAUSE THEY SAID THERE WAS A SMALL GASH THAT RAN PARALLEL TO THE CAR;S BODY. MY DAUGHTER DID NOT NOTICE ANY DEBRIS ON THE ROAD. EVEN IF SHE DID RUN OVER ROAD DEBRIS, WHY ARE SENSORS PLACED IN THIS SPOT UNDER THE SIDESTEP WHERE ANY LITTLE BUMP CAUSES THE SENSORS TO MAKE THE AIRBAG EXPLODE. THEY OFFERED TO HAVE THE SENSORS AND SEAT AIRBAG REPLACE AT A COST TO US. WE DECLINED AS WE FEEL THAT HONDA SHOULD PAY FOR THIS SINCE THE SENSORS ARE PLACED IN A DANGEROUS ACCIDENT CAUSING POSITION WHERE ANY BUMP CAN SET IT OFF CAUSING THE AIRBAG TO EXPLODE WITHOUT NECESSARILY BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

WHILE SITTING BEHIND A CAR WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN 2006 HONDA ELEMENT WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND BY A CAR TRAVELING APPROX. 45 MPH. 2006 ELEMENT THEN STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR DID THE SEAT BELT GRAB, RESULTING IN DRIVER SMASHING FACE AND RIBS AGAINST STEERING WHEEL. *TR

I NOTICED A HORIZONTAL CRACK IN MY HONDA ELEMENTS WINDSHIELD, ABOUT 7 INCHES IN LENGTH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, ABOUT HALFWAY UP STARTING AT THE RIGHT SIDE PILLAR. I TOOK IT TO THE GLASS PLACE AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT STOP IT FROM SPREADING. I THEN NOTICED THAT ANOTHER CRACK WAS STARTING ON THE LEFT SIDE HALF WAY UP. THE CRACKS HAVE MET IN THE MIDDLE ALMOST TOUCHING. IT HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT. *TR

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

OUR CAR, TRAVELING AT 40 MPH WAS HIT FROM THE SIDE AT THE LEFT FRONT, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT. THE TIRE AND PART OF THE AXLE WERE DETACHED AND ABOUT 10 FEET FROM THE CAR. THE SHERIFF TOLD US THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS TYPE OF CAR IN SIMILAR ACCIDENTS WHERE THE TIRE AND AXEL HAVE DETACHED FROM THE CAR AND FOUND IT UNUSUAL IN THIS TYPE OF CRASH. *TR

AIR BAG WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY... AIR BAG WENT OFF FOR NO REASON JUST DRIVING DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG BURNED AND BRUISED ARM..CAR AT THE HONDA DEALER THEY ARE DECIDING TO FIX OR NOT TO FIX THE CAR. DON'T KNOW IF HONDA WILL FIX THE CAR. *TR

ACCIDENTAL SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT: THE SIDE AIR BAD HAS DEPLOYED TWICE (~12 MONTHS APART) WITHOUT ANY SIDE IMPACT. *TR

DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER MINOR NON-DAMAGING BOTTOM IMPACT. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN OVER A PILE OF ASPHALT AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED (>5MPH) AND WHEN IT CAME DOWN IT BOTTOMED OUT ON THE PILE. THE SIDE (PASSENGER SEAT) AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE IS NO EXTERNAL BODY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN SOME SHALLOW SCRATCHES ON THE BOTTOM FRAME AT THE POINT OF IMPACT. I DON'T DENY IMPACT, BUT COMPLAIN THAT A $1000 REPAIR AND THE POTENTIAL FOR PASSENGER INJURY (NO ONE IN SEAT AT TIME) RESULTED FROM A NON-DAMAGING, NON-SEVERE, NON-INJURY THREATENING BOTTOM IMPACT. AN AIRBAG SHOULD NOT DEPLOY WITH SUCH MINOR IMPACT. MY BAG SYSTEM IS NOW INOPERATIVE AND MY SIDE BAG IS BLOWN OUT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK. AIRBAGS ARE THERE TO PROTECT FLESH FROM CRUSHING METAL AND SHATTERING GLASS. WHY DID A BAG GO OFF WHEN NO PROTECTION WAS NECESSARY? THE ONLY PROTECTION NEEDED AT THAT TIME WAS PROTECTION FROM A NEEDLESSLY EXPLODING AIR BAG! NOW MY ENTIRE SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE IN THE EVENT IT IS NEEDED FOR A VALID IMPACT. *TR

MY 2006 HONDA ELEMENT WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY FRONT END IMPACTED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE ELEMENT WAS CRUSHED AND PART OF THE FRAME DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHILE THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DID INFLATE. DRIVER HAS SUFFERED BRUISING IN THE CHEST AREA FROM THE SEAT BELT. CAR IS CURRENTLY IN AN AUTOBODY SHOP IN ARLINGTON WAITING FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO DECLARE IT UNREPAIRABLE. *TR

2006 HONDA ELEMENT PROBLEMS: I BOUGHT THIS HONDA BECAUSE OF THE REPUTATION FOR A SOLID CAR WITH VERY LITTLE MAINTENANCE ISSUES. THIS CAR HAS HAD MORE MAINTENANCE ISSUES THAN ANY OTHER I'VE EVER OWNED! *TT 1. DRIVER'S SEAT ROCK. THE SEAT HAS ROCKED LEFT TO RIGHT SINCE ABOUT 30,000 MILES. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY $300 TO FIX A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HONDA OBVIOUSLY KNOWS ABOUT. 2. AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING-THAT WAS A $700+ REPAIR FOR A NEW FAN MOTOR . 3. I HAVE GONE THROUGH ABOUT 5 WINDSHIELDS IN 90,000 MILES. GOOD THING I ALWAYS GET ZERO DEDUCTIBLE GLASS COVERAGE! THE LAST WASN'T EVEN DUE TO A CRACK, BUT BECAUSE IT BECAME SO PITTED IT WAS IMPAIRING VISIBILITY. 4. THIS VEHICLE HAS A HUGE BLIND SPOT IN THE DRIVER'S LEFT CORNER. I HAVE HAD COUNTLESS NEAR MISSES-ESPECIALLY PEDESTRIANS IN PARKING LOTS. THE BLIND SPOT IS LARGE ENOUGH TO BLOCK VISION COMPLETELY. *TT