2006 Honda Element Problems & Complaints

Most common 2006 Honda Element problems

• Air bags~78,000 miles
  5545%
• Windows, wipers & sunroof~23,000 miles
  1311%
• Body & structure~123,000 miles
  119%
• Electrical system~96,000 miles
  119%
• Suspension~163,000 miles
  108%
• Seats~150,000 miles
  97%
• Other / not specified~119,000 miles
  76%
• Lights~96,000 miles
  54%
• Seat belts~22,000 miles
  54%
• Engine & cooling~88,000 miles
  54%
• Transmission & drivetrain~160,000 miles
  54%
• Equipment & accessories~30,000 miles
  32%
• Wheels & tires~22,000 miles
  32%
• Fuel & propulsion system~137,000 miles
  22%
• Speed control & acceleration~26,000 miles
  22%
• Brakes~72,000 miles
  22%
• Locks & latches~23,000 miles
  11%
• Stability & traction control~100,000 miles
  11%
• Steering~170,000 miles
  11%

Share of the 122 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Honda Element complaints by model year

Best Element years: 2011, 2009, 2010. Years to avoid: 2003, 2004. Compare all years →

2006 Honda Element recalls (9)

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2006 Honda Element:

What 2006 Honda Element owners say

Air bags all 55 →

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Element. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the passenger's side door air bag deployed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact and her mother heard a loud explosion, and the passenger's side door air bag deployed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed. There was no impact GTC system scanned -1 completed troubleshooting found no damage while SRS and air bag unit need to be replaced. The vehicle had previously been repaired, a year and a half prior to the failure under an unknown recall associated with the air bags. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 155,500.

Vehicle (2-owner, all svc records), involved in a head-on collision, with approximately 75% of impact/damage to the Driver's front (see photos). The passenger front (25% of impact) airbag deployed, the DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG did NOT deploy. The Takata airbag recall service/replacement (see invoice) was performed by a local Honda dealership on 01/08/2018. (Factory recall: 16-047; Kit Inflator: 06999). The vehicle is in my (owner's) private possession since the time of the incident, I have deliberately not yet had it serviced or inspected for damage/repair estimates in any way, as my priority is to FIRST go through proper, qualified channels to have it properly inspected and diagnosed in regards to the AIRBAG FAILURE.

Windows, wipers & sunroof

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! 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.

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.

Body & structure

The contact owns a 2006 Honda Element. The contact stated that while HIS son was driving approximately 55 MPH, the driver heard a loud clunking sound, and the rear of the vehicle suddenly became unstable. The driver stopped and inspected the vehicle, and it was discovered that the driver's side rear wheel was turned outward, and the rear driver's side trailing arm had detached from the frame of the vehicle due to severe rust. The vehicle was later towed to a welding shop. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 123,000.

These cars have severe issues with their frames and they rot. There are TONS of recalls in Canada and I am wondering why the same recalls are not in the US - this is equally dangerous regardless of location - especially upstate NY where the climate is extremely similar to Canada. I have had TWO LIFE THREATENING INCIDENTS recently - one with the front axel completely breaking several months ago, and yesterday when the frame and rear axel fell apart. Fortunately both times, I was barely moving or I would likely not be here to be typing this. My frame is so rusted, it is disintegrating and beyond repair. I was advised by my local Sheriff to check on the recalls in Canada and there are so many, basically the whole frame is recalled - I am writing to report that I am in several Honda Element groups here in the US, and there are hundreds of life threatening posts in these groups regularly. …

2006 Honda Element engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.