Honda Element Complaints (2006)

122 consumer complaints on file.

#10375869December 31, 2010
VISIBILITY
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10369910December 10, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357692September 26, 2010
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10355096September 12, 2010
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10355099September 12, 2010
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10354491September 8, 2010
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354343September 7, 2010
VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD ON 2006 HONDA ELEMENT CHIPS VERY EASILY AND CRACKS APPEAR WITHOUT ANY IMPACT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10328686May 3, 2010
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325557April 13, 2010
VISIBILITY
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10321716March 24, 2010
AIR BAGS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295085December 9, 2009
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276746July 14, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276765July 14, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276351July 10, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275612July 2, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259856February 24, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEAT BELTS
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10242880September 19, 2008
WHEELS, SUSPENSION
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236968August 5, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
ACCIDENTAL SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT: THE SIDE AIR BAD HAS DEPLOYED TWICE (~12 MONTHS APART) WITHOUT ANY SIDE IMPACT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10236234July 29, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227145May 9, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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