Honda Element 2005 — Reported problems

On 8.31.26, while driving my 2005 Honda Element Mileage: Approximately 125,000), the front passenger-side airbag spontaneously deployed without warning.There was absolutely no vehicle collision, physical impact, pothole, undercarriage strike, or jarring event to trigger a deployment. Approximately 10 hours prior to the spontaneous deployment, the airbag warning light illuminated on the instrument cluster and remained solid, indicating an active system fault. The car then sat parked for about 8 hours, before driving again. The light remained on.The uncommanded deployment filled the cabin with a smell and gases while the vehicle was in motion between towns. A VIN lookup shows no currently outstanding recalls for this vehicle, indicating the failure occurred within a previously remedied issue. Remedied in 2016. The vehicle is currently grounded and parked at my residence due to safety hazards. I am requesting an investigation into this uncommanded deployment and potential SRS control module or short-circuit failure, as it poses an immediate, severe risk of driver-side deployment and physical injury. A report has been filed with honda and a case opened.

Left rear trailing arm mount has rusted and trailing arm is not intact.

"Reporting a Material Compound Failure on a set of 4 Falken Wildpeak AT Trails tires (size 215/70/16) sold as 'new' but manufactured in 2021 (DOT 3921). Despite 8/32" tread remaining (75% life), from there original 10/32'' tread the rubber is failing with severe dry rot/cracking through the sidewall and markings on all 4 tireson the outside,and inside of the tire walls. This is a safety hazard involving undisclosed 'New Old Stock' this is premature failure ,and was confirmed by Mavis Tire,and Brake center inspection that is also a Falken authorized dealer.

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle began to tilt sideways while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled off to the shoulder of the roadway. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear driver’s side control arm had separated from the frame of the vehicle, causing the rear wheel to tuck in underneath the wheel hub. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it remained undiagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that based on the pictures, the entire suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.

Air bag in drivers seat deployed when I shut rear door. Car was running at the time.

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear trailing arm mount was severely rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent frame mechanic, where the contact was informed that the rear trailing arm mount could fracture. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in an unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

The left rear control arm pulled out of the subframe and floor panel and hit the pavement facing forward, the direction in which the car was moving. The left rear tire pulled out and away from the vehicle, and the car lurched downward. There were sparks. I was pulling away from a gas pump at a service station. I stopped the car immediately and had it towed to a mechanic. There was no warning. There were no unusual sounds or movements prior to the incident. Approximately 100 miles before the incident, a licensed mechanic did a safety inspection and test drove the vehicle prior to doing maintenance on other parts of the car. Two different mechanics inspected the vehicle and determined it was unsafe to repair it. The control arm broke off due to excessive rust and corrosion, which was not visible during the safety inspection, because the area was visually blocked by a strut.

Rear unibody rust through allowing the drivers side rear trailing arm to become detached. Pulling up to stop sign very slowly luckily. At speed this failure would have assuredly led to a crash from loss of control. Calls have been placed to local Honda dealer as well as American Honda where I was informed there was no recall for this problem in the USA.

I was driving and all of a sudden vehicle became hard to control. I got it stopped and noticed drivers side rear tire was sideways. upon inspection I noticed trail arm was broke loose at frame. apparently it had rusted through at the frame.

I was driving and left rear trail arm connecting wheel to frame broke loose. upon inspection I noticed the frame was so rusted in that one spot causing trail arm to break loose which caused me to lose control of vehicle very dangerous!

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and making a right turn, the rear driver’s side wheel assembly separated from the vehicle. The contact was able to park the vehicle in a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the rear driver’s side wheel assembly separated from the hub and needed to be replaced. The dealer was contact and stated that the vehicle was not under the recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and case was filed but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 14,000.

Defect where rear controller arm connects to frame is rusted out. This would cause the rear tires to fall off. The rest of the car isn’t that bad. Canada there is a recall for this but not in the USA.

Vtec oil pressure switch low voltage threw a code so I replaced entire mechanism, I don't know the name buy removed wire snaps and three bolts and replaced with brand new, and reattached. Unplugged battery till all reserve was gone. Plugged back up [battery] drove, but still as I hit 3000 rpm and vtec turns on shoots check engine light and vehicle jukes. I have already changed oil, made sure proper level proper weight had flushed as to clean out any debris. Made sure all connections were tight, but nothing fixes problem.

I have a 2005 Honda Element, undercarriage and suspension components have severe rust. I tried to get an inspection from Virginia and it failed immediately due to the rust. The mechanic lowered the vehicle as quickly as he could because of it falling off the lift. ultimately he told it is unsafe to drive. After doing some research I found out that Honda Canada has done a recall on Honda elements from 2003-2010 due to this common issue and here is what they wrote. Issue: On certain vehicles, the rear frame could rust. In extreme cases, this could result in a rear trailing arm separating from the vehicle. This recall applies to vehicles originally sold or currently registered in areas of heavy road salt usage (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador). Safety Risk: A rear trailing arm that separates could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Honda will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for an inspection of the rear trailing arm front mount bolts. If the vehicle passes the inspection, the dealer will apply corrosion protection and install support braces. Honda will offer to repurchase vehicles that do not pass the inspection. In the event the repurchase is declined by an owner, a secondary inspection and body shop repair method may be possible.

Having rust issue with my 2005 Honda Element causing steering and handling issues Unsafe to drive per my mechanic This model has been recalled in Canada to address this issue Is there anything investigating ongoing in the USA as this problem is affecting many elements in the USA as well

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. The contact stated that while his vehicle was parked in a parking lot, the vehicle independently drifted backwards without warning. Due to the failure, the vehicle collided with another vehicle which resulted in the injury of the occupant inside the other vehicle. The other occupant claimed to have sought medical treatment for his injuries(injuries unknown). There was rear bumper damage to the other vehicle as a result of the failure. A police report was filed and neither vehicle was towed from the scene. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that they were unaware of such a failure occurring with this model vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure had yet to reoccur and the vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 208,000.

MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT CONSTANTLY DISPLAY AIRBAG OFF, WHEN IT'S INACCURATE, DASHBOARD LIGHT DOESN'T WORK. THERE'S SOME KIND OF SHORTAGE BECAUSE IT BLINKS, COME ON AND GO OFF AND STAY OFF. IT SHOWS THE SAME INFORMATION, RATHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY. ARE THERE RECALLS ON THIS CAR? IT'S BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER.

THE AIR BAG STAYS ON EVEN AFTER A THE LEFT AIR BAG ASSEMBLY REPLACED. THERE IS A LOUD KNOCKING FRONT END WHICH IS WORSE WHEN IT IS GOING ABOUT 15-30 MILES.

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS WILL COME ON FOR NO REASON SAYING PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF AND IT IS NOT OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. THIS HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES, CRANKING VEHICLE, DRIVING VEHICLE, THERE IS REALLY NO SPECIFIC SITUATION . IT'S SPORADIC. HEADLIGHTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DIM. SOMETIMES I CAN'T EVEN TELL IF THEY ARE ON. THE CARGO LIGHTS, FRONT MIDDLE AND BACK WORK SOMETIMES AND MOST TIMES THEY DON'T. ALSO BRAKE LIGHTS SEEM TO HAVE A MIND OF THERE OWN AND WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO BUT DEFINITELY NOT WHEN I WANT THEM TO. IN FACT I AM PRETTY SURE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE SOMEWHERE.

WAS DRIVING ON A GRAVEL ROAD AROUND 30 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND NOTICED THAT SOMETHING HIT MY LEFT ARM. I LOOKED TO THE SIDE AND SAW THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAD DEPLOYED. I DID NOT GET HIT NOR DID I HIT ANYTHING.

IN A PARKING LOT MOVING SLOWLY. I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE CAR. THE AIR BAG ON THE REAR OF THE PASSANGER SEAT DEPLOYED. NOTHING WAS HIT OR WAS I HIT BY ANYTHING. THE SEAT WAS MOVED FORWARD AS FAR AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I HAD SOMETHING IN THE BACK.

THE UNDERBODY FRAME IS RUSTED SEVERELY CAUSING LEFT REAR WHEEL TO BE LOOSE MAKING IT UNFIT TO DRIVE AS IS. DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT RUST AND CORROSION DISCOVER WHEN TOOK TO MY MECHANIC TO EVALUATE POOR HANDLING AND LOOSENESS WHEN DRIVING TOLD ME UNSAFE TO DRIVE AWAY

PURCHASED FROM PRIVATE SELLER. ADVERTISED AS 2005, WITH 55,000 MILES, 4WD, ONE OWNER, NO ACCIDENTS. SELLER PROVIDED FABRICATED CARFAX REPORT, ALTERED TITLE AND THE ODOMETER WAS TAMPERED WITH AND THE CAR IS FWD, HAS HAVE 5 OWNERS AND HAS A REPORTED ACCIDENT. *TR

I DO NOT HAVE THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. IT WAS TOTALLED IN 2015 AND SOLD TO A SALVAGE COMPANY IN JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN. I HAVE TRIED MANY, MANY TIMES TO REPORT THIS TO VARIOUS ENTITIES IN VARIETY OF WAYS, BUT I KEEP GETTING NOTICES. IT HAS BEEN 4 YEARS, AND I KEEP GETTING THESE LETTERS/NOTICES. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT. STOP THE MAILINGS, I NO LONGER OWN THE VEHICLE.

AIR BAG REPLACED AROUND AUG. 1, 2016. I BELIEVE THE AIR BAG WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY AS IT RATTLES INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. RATTLES WHILE IN MOTION.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE DASHBOARD. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW LOT. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR AND INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.

THIS OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING FUELED AT GAS PUMP. WHENEVER THE GAS TANK IS FILLED COMPLETELY BY AUTO-SHUT OFF AT PUMP, GASOLINE LEAKS FROM VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A REPEATED FAILURE MODE FOR THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VENT SYSTEM FAILURE REQUIRING A REPLACEMENT OF FUEL TANK SYSTEM BY DEALER TO RENDER SAFE. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES EXTANT UNDER 15 YEARS, BELIEVE SOME SORT OF SAFETY NOTICE IS WARRANTED.

TURNED ON VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN FIRST GEAR AND WAS GOOD AND SEMICONDUCTORS THEN NOTICE GOT STUCK IN GEAR AND WOULDN'T COME OUT. STANDARD TRANSMISSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER (MIKE MAROONE HONDA, 1103 ACADEMY PARK LOOP, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80910, (719) 888-2995) STATED THAT THE CONTACT MUST HAVE STRUCK SOMETHING TO TRIGGER THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $3,200. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,050.

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2005 HONDA ELEMENT AROUND 50MPH AND HIT A SMALL POT HOLE AND THEN HEARD A LOUD BANG. AFTER SEEING SMOKE SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE CAR AND FOUND NO OUTSIDE DAMAGE. WHEN GETTING BACK IN STILL SEEN AND SMELLED SMOKE AND NOTICED PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. HOW DOES AN AIRBAG DEPLOY WITHOUT A FRONT OR SIDE IMPACT?

REPEATED (7 SHOP VISITS) ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE SRS (AIRBAG) INDICATOR ACTIVATING. TWO SEAT BELT CLASP REPLACEMENTS, I CAN RECALL. HONDA REFUSES TO HONOR VEHICLE OCCUPANT SAFETY WARRANTY TO REMEDY REPEATED FAULTS TIED POSSIBLY TO DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT HARNESS WIRING ESTIMATED TO COST $400-$1,100.

AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGJHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED CAR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. AFTER THE CONTACT PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LATER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. AN INVESTIGATOR WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,500. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE COUNTY ROAD AT 60 MPH AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF. I TURNED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR A COUPLE DAYS. THIS HAPPENED 5 OR 6 MORE TIMES AND NOW THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT TURN BACK ON UNLESS I SWITCH TO HIGH BEAMS. HIGH BEAM WORKS FINE, THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE NOT BULB FAILURE. "THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY".

SOMETIMES THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLAMS HARD WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR INTO SECOND GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE. ALSO WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED AND PLACED IN GEAR IT WILL TAKE OFF AND GO 20MPH WITH OUT DEPRESSING EXCELERATOR. WHEN ENGINE RUNS ABOUT 10 MINUTES IT WILL OPERATE AS IT SHOULD . THIS VEHICLE HAD A TRANSMISSION RECALL EARILER AND WONDER IF THE PROBLEMS WERE TRULY RESOLVED OR NOT EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE GLARE FROM THE SUN IMPAIRED THE CONTACT'S VISION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE, WHICH THEN CRASHED INTO A THIRD VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER (MILLER HONDA, 3985 VALLEY PIKE, WINCHESTER, VA 22602) WAS CALLED AND THE CONTACT LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,549. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I CONTACTED HONDA, AFTER OF SOME STRUGGLES THEY SET ME AN APT, AT 1ST THEY TOLD ME IS A FREE RECALL, THEN THEY CALLED ME TELLING ME IT HAS OTHER ISSUES THAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIR BEFORE THEY WORK ON THE RECALL, IT WOULD COST ME $4,110.13, I SAID NO, I WOULD GO PICK UP THE CAR, MY CAR WAS IN GREAT WORKING CONDITIONS, I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE WORK ON IT $$$ IS WHY I FIND HARD TO BELIEVE HONDA RETURNED MY CAR BROKEN, I HAVE TO TOW IT TO MY MECHANIC. I'M SAVING FOR AN ATTORNEY, STILL A WAY TO GO BUT IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO MY ALREADY DISABLE (DEAF) DAUGHTER BETWEEN THAT TIME OF ME SAVING AND THEN I'M GOING TO GO ALL THE WAY. I'M CONTACTING YOU TODAY BECAUSE HONDA ASKED ME ON FACEBOOK TO SEND A PRIVATE MSG, WHICH I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO, HERE IS THE MSG: [XXX] MI VAN NECESITA LE CAMBIEN ESA BOLSA DE AIRE PERO HONDA QUIERE QUE YO PAGE $4,110.13 X EL TRABAJO ME GUSTA RESPONDER 3 DE DICIEMBRE A LAS 22:59 ADMINISTRAR HONDA HOLA [XXX], POR FAVOR MANDENOS UN MENSAJE PRIVADO CON SU VIN, NUMBERO DE TELEFONO, DIRRECION, Y EL NOMBRE DE SU CONCESSIONARIO DE HONDA PARA INVESTIGAR PORQUE EL CONCESSIONARIO LE QUIERE COBRAR. GRACIAS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHEN DECELERATING AT A STOP LIGHT OR AT A STOP SIGN AND/OR WHEN PERFORMING A TURN . IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP OR TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 03-032) WAS ISSUED YET HONDA CLAIMS THEY DO NOT SEE THIS AS AN ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH INFORMALLY VERIFIES THIS HAPPENS WITH OTHER MODELS OF HONDA VEHICLES (CIVIC, CRV, ELEMENT). THIS IS A CONSTANT ISSUE FOR ME WHEN DRIVING ESPECIALLY DURING STOP AND START AND TURNING. THIS PRESENTS A DANGER WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND BRAKE DURING DRIVING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS). THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED ON JULY 24, 2017 BY A LOCAL DEALER (GWINNETT PLACE HONDA, 3325 SATELLITE BLVD NW, DULUTH, GA, 30096). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER BEING SERVICED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,737.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A LOUD BOOMING NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT ARM AND THERE WAS A RINGING NOISE IN HER LEFT EAR. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT SOUGHT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT CALLED HINSHAW'S HONDA (2605 AUBURN WAY N, AUBURN, WA 98002 (253) 833-7900) WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,055.