2003 Honda Element Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Side/window
  6
• Frontal
  3

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  29%
• 25k–50k
  313%
• 50k–75k
  313%
• 75k–100k
  626%
• 100k–150k
  313%
• 150k+
  626%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Honda Element owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V370000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that the vehicle was at the dealer for a week for the recall repair. The contact stated that while the vehicle was still at the dealer, the vehicle was started, and the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Seems Honda is hiding specific vin needing recal replacement of airbag fue to fact it's deployed. Attempt to cover up recall regarding this specific vin possibly aware that damage is done and if airbag deployed, vin check results "no current recalls" for vehicle. 2003 Honda Element had first recall replacement done. At that time Honda had person come to house to notify. This time, second recall, too late. It deployed and air bag is on recall list. Please provide honest facts. Correct me please if I misunderstood.

While driving on a rough road the driver's seat airbag deployed injuring my arm (big bruise and tennis-ball size laceration). I plan to take the vehicle into the dealership to find out why this happened.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. While driving 30 MPH, the contact's vehicle struck another vehicle on the driver side. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V351000 (air bags) a month ago and stated that the vehicle was repaired. The contact sustained three broken ribs and liver damage, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 103,000.

Takata recall. At less than speed limit of 35 MPH, vehicle encountered icy conditions on hill, and vehicle rolled approximately 100 feet off of road into gently graded area. Vehicle was able to drive straight out without any significant body damage, yet airbags both deployed upon exiting the road, most likely due to rolling over a small curb before leaving roadway. This was a city street, early in the morning of March 23, 2016, with my licensed and insured 16 year old daughter driving. But for the airbag deployment she would have driven away without incident, but dual deployment resulted in burns to her jacket and right arm and a laceration to her left knee due to her reaction to the unexpected deployment. I believe the airbag initiators were overly sensitive or on a hair trigger. Estimated speed at time of deployment is 25mph or less. …

Happened in nyc, afternoon, weather drizzling/raining and humid. Slid on an oil slick on the road, swerved sideways and hit an exit ramp concrete barrier full front (w/ my front against it, perpendicular to the barrier). Passenger side airbag deployed, mine did not. The thing is, I was the only person in the car, there was no passenger in the passenger seat. Car was always driven in ny, I am original owner. Didn't report it earlier bec news always said it's only an issue w/ cars in the south, and Element didn't appear in the recall lists in the papers (only saw it listed this minute on the gov site, after hearing so much talk about it on the news and decided to check). I think the car manuf's should have notified all owners of that airbag of the possibility of an issue, even if they didn't live in the south, just in case, it's not expensive to do, just a stamp. Anyway, that's my feeling.

While driving 45 MPH consumer swerved to avoid rear ending another vehicle, and hit a phone pole dead center. Upon impact, only the passenger's side air bag deployed. The passenger side air bag was reinstalled by the dealership. Also while driving at 45 MPH consumer swerved to avoid hitting a motorist who pulled in front of him. . Consumer's vehicle hit the other vehicle on the front driver's side. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. After inspecting the vehicle dealership indicated that the sensor was showing that driver side air bag deployed.

In my 2003 Element I hit a 500 pound cow in the road at between 50-60 MPH from the center of my car to the drivers side. The front fender where the airbag sensor is located was destroyed, as was the hood and bumper. The police were all surprised the airbags hadn't deployed. I contacted Honda, the insurance company, and the body shop to inform them of the fact that the airbags didn't deploy in such an accident, and no one seemed overly concerned other than the police and myself.

I own a 2003 Honda Element and was involved in an accident where I hit a pickup truck and both vehicles were total losses. The drivers side airbag did not deploy even though it was a frontal impact which pushed the front of the vehicle in by 24 inches and bent the frame - the passenger airbag did deploy even though no other passengers were in the vehicle. I reported the problem twice to Honda America but they are refusing to acknowledge a problem exists.

I was traveling north on nc hwy 12 on my way to work, alone, and I rear ended another vehicle traveling between 35-40 MPH, when I glanced down to scratch my leg and when I glanced back down, the car in front of me was at a dead stop and I rear ended it. My passenger airbag deployed, however I had no passenger with me, my drivers side airbag failed. Luckily I was wearing my seatbelt and only received minor injuries.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Element years