Problems · NHTSA complaints

2006 Honda Element problems

Owners filed 122 complaints about the 2006 Honda Element with NHTSA between Jul 2006 and Jul 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (55).

Complaints
122
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
17
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
16
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags55
  2. Visibility12
  3. Structure11
  4. Electrical system11
  5. Suspension10
  6. Seats9
  7. Power train5
  8. Seat belts5
  9. Exterior lighting4
  10. Engine3
  11. Equipment3
  12. Wheels2
  13. Service brakes2
  14. Fuel system, gasoline2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200610
200711
20085
20096
201010
20116
20126
20133
201411
20158
20168
20176
20188
20194
20205
20211
20220
20233
20243
20256
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

55 reports15 crashes7 related recalls
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11714865

Visibility

12 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2011Visibility, Seats, EquipmentODI 10417208

Structure

11 reports2 crashes
“The check engine light indicated a "gas cap" code, and the "side airbag off" light was illuminated. Upon diagnosis, the technician identified significant rust and cracked transmission components, resulting in fluid leakage. The service department assessed the vehicle as unsafe for operation, waived the diagnostic fees, and replenished the transmission fluid to prevent the risk of being stranded due to a lack of fluid on the return trip. Honda Service Department took the attached photos and documented the vehicle's safety violations.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 25, 2024Power train, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11632315

Electrical system

11 reports1 crash
“WINDOW MOTOR DIDNT LET WINDOW GO UP.. WINDOW WENT DOWN N WASN'T ABLE TO ROLL UP.. LOUD NOISE FROM DRIVER WINDOW MOTOR..MY CAR WAS PARKED N WHEN TURN ON CAR WINDOW DROPPED ALSO POWER STEERING N KNOCK SENSOR CAUSING NO PRESSURE TO MOVE. HESITATION LOSS OF FUEL”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2020Steering, Electrical systemODI 11340303

Suspension

10 reports1 crash
“Honda Canada recognized the safety risks from salt damage to the frames and rear suspension of Honda Elements and recalled all years of the Element for warranty repairs, or if the damage was too severe, buy back of the vehicles. Yet they have not in the USA in rust belt states where salt damage is prevalent. As you will note from the attached photos, severe injury or death could occur in a major collision, which falls into the scope of your agency. All Elements in areas where corrosive salty and liquid brine is used are at risk, posing a significant safety hazard. Contacting local Honda dealers confirm the absence of a recall for this issue which puts motorists in this country at risk.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2025SuspensionODI 11706003

Seats

9 reports1 crash
“THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT ROCKS DANGEROUSLY BACK AND FORTH. I ONLY WEIGH 108 POUNDS SO IT'S NOTHING I HAVE DONE TO CAUSE THIS. WHEN I LOOK ONLINE, THOUSANDS OF ELEMENT OWNERS HAVE THIS SAME COMPLAINT. IT IS PRETTY EXPENSIVE TO GET THE SEAT ASSEMBLY REPLACED. I HAVE DRIVEN HONDAS FOR 30 YEARS AND NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE. IT BEGAN A YEAR OR SO AGO AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2020SeatsODI 11338587
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.