Honda Element Complaints (2005)

159 consumer complaints on file.

#11761238September 1, 2026
AIR BAGS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749776July 11, 2026
SUSPENSION
Left rear trailing arm mount has rusted and trailing arm is not intact.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721613March 3, 2026
TIRES:MARKINGS, TIRES:SIDEWALL, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
"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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676962July 29, 2025
SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637053January 20, 2025
AIR BAGS
Air bag in drivers seat deployed when I shut rear door. Car was running at the time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11612597September 4, 2024
SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582236April 10, 2024
SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11579056March 23, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555888November 19, 2023
SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11552468October 29, 2023
SUSPENSION
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!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11523545May 23, 2023
SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521261May 9, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509959March 3, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500896January 9, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, STEERING, SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456698March 14, 2022
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11419306June 2, 2021
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11405632March 30, 2021
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11386038January 1, 2021
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, SUSPENSION
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11375667November 20, 2020
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11364819October 17, 2020
AIR BAGS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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