2004 Honda Element Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 73about this part
- Share
- 26%of 281 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 108,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 73 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Honda Element, 26% of the 281 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,000 miles. 12 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 8 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Nhtsa recall 16v-344 the local dealer replaced my front passenger airbag on 07.06.2016. The dashboard warning light for my airbag system has been on since this date. I have emailed the local Honda dealer here in cedar rapids iowa 10 times with no response from them. I also found 2 screws on my floorboard after their work on my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10885740, filed 2016-07, 69,776 miles“Called local Honda dealer to schedule airbag replacement based on most recent recall. Dealer confirmed that they did not have the parts in stock and will follow up shortly. I waited several months - send another request for a status update on when the airbag would be replaced - still no response at all. I have the chat transcript from the initial call on october 21, 2014 provided by the dealer. Please let me know if you want a copy of this transcript.”
NHTSA complaint #10682019, filed 2015-02, 122,450 miles“Passengers seat, side airbag, deployed while traveling less than 10 MPH. I was turning into my driveway and getting ready to park. Vehicle was not involved in an accident, did not hit a pot hole, etc. Honda states that the vehicle is out of warranty and will not repair. Cost of repair estimated at over $2400.”
NHTSA complaint #10399511, filed 2011-05, 108,000 miles“I was driving down the freeway going 65 MPH and switching lanes when my seat airbag deployed. My seat is ripped. It hit me in the arm. No accident or collision happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11171484, filed 2019-01, 171,000 miles“While driving on a two lane highway, at highway speeds, the driver side,side airbag (the driver seat) deployed for no reason. It frightened me and caused me to swerve into the oncoming traffic lane, fortunately no cars were around me at the time and I was able to pull over and regain my composure. I shiver when I think of how badly this might have gone if opposing traffic was there at the time! A day later my left arm still hurts from deployment. My granddaughter was in the car with me at the time of incident.”
NHTSA complaint #11002340, filed 2017-06, 206,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V499000Jun 27, 2019Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005…Covers: Honda Element 2003–2011, Accord 2001–2007, Pilot 2003–2008 +9 more
- 19V501000Jun 27, 2019Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid…Covers: Honda Element 2003–2011, Ridgeline 2006–2014, Acura RL 2005–2012 +9 more
- 19V182000Mar 6, 2019Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL…Covers: Honda Element 2003–2011, Acura TL 2002–2006, 2009–2014, RDX 2007–2016 +14 more
- 18V268000Apr 26, 2018Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004…Covers: Honda Element 2003–2004, 2006–2008, 2011, Civic 2001–2011, CR-V 2002–2011 +7 more
- 16V344000May 23, 2016Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008…Covers: Honda Element 2003–2011, Acura RL 2005–2011, Honda Pilot 2003–2008 +5 more
- 15V320000May 28, 2015Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid…Covers: Honda Element 2003–2011, Accord 2001–2007, Pilot 2003–2008 +9 more
- 14V700000Nov 4, 2014American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic, 2003-2004 Civic CNG and Element, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2002-2004 Odyssey…Covers: Honda Element 2003–2004, Civic 2001–2005, CR-V 2002–2005 +7 more
- 14V353000Jun 20, 2014American Honda Motor Company, Inc.'s (Honda) is conducting a limited regional recall for certain model year 2003-2005 Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot and Acura…Covers: Honda Element 2003–2004, Civic 2003–2005, Pilot 2003–2005 +6 more
Related service bulletins
- 11034200Jun 30, 2026Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.
- 10172566Mar 10, 2020Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty…
- 10172561Mar 10, 2020Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty…
- 10141169Jun 1, 2018Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty…
- 10139567May 24, 2018Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators. American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty…
- 10107387Jun 21, 2017"service bulletin - as the result of takata defect determinations and nhtsa directives, american honda has moved the 2003-05 accord, 200305 civic, 200304 civic gx, and 200305…
- 10086306Sep 7, 2016Posters sent to hawaiian independent repair facilities, automotive part stores, car washes, and gas stations to remind owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment…
- 10086291Sep 7, 2016Flyer circulated to the residents of hawaii to remind owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment at their earliest convenience.
- 10086288Aug 29, 2016Letter sent in conjunction with the florida highway safety and motor vehicles department to remind florida owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment at their…
- 10086302Aug 21, 2016Advertisement in hawaiian newspapers to remind owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment at their earliest convenience.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 6 | 55% |
| 2010 | 7 | 23% |
| 2009 | 5 | 16% |
| 2008 | 24 | 21% |
| 2007 | 27 | 24% |
| 2006 | 55 | 45% |
| 2005 | 76 | 48% |
| 2004 | 73 | 26% |
| 2003 | 49 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2004 Honda Element
107 complaintsSeats
26 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsTires
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Honda Element
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology