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Body and structurePart report

2006 Honda Element Body and structure Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
9%of 122 total for the year
Median mileage
109,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the body and structure of the 2006 Honda Element, 9% of the 122 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I am located in ohio and the rear trailing arm has rusted out to the point that it is on the verge of breaking off on the passenger side. This was found out because I was driving and the car would sway back and forth in the rear every time I hit a bump in the road. I went to my nearest tire shop thinking it could be a wheel alignment issue and they brought me to the back and showed me the issue. It is being held by about 4-5 inches of the frame. They advised me to have the car towed as it was not safe for me to drive home. …”

NHTSA complaint #11403002, filed 2021-03, 163,000 miles

“I was driving approximately 25 MPH vehicle in front suddenly stopped I rear ended vehicle causing damage to front bumper, hood and driver side panel, there was no injuries thank god driver air bags did not deploy also passenger on rear side seat belt snapped this was my second fender bender in three years where front air bags did not deploy, this is a major concern because my family's safety is my priority and Honda should look into this seriously before major injuries or deaths occurs.”

NHTSA complaint #10543812, filed 2013-09, 161,000 miles

“I hit a deer last december and the only reason the insurance company did not total it was because the air bags did not deploy. There was just about $10,000 worth of damage to my car. After waiting a month and a half, traveling 18 hours & spending an extra $200 for travel to go get my car I finally got it back. Also, my car does not idle like it should. It will also go dead when I come to a stop. It doesn't happen all the time but it will happen in the middle of traffic and I will be stuck there for a few minutes.”

NHTSA complaint #10606014, filed 2014-06, 96,000 miles

“We got a letter in the mail about the recall on the airbags. Air bag light always on. We have a knocking sound in the engine ,the driver door gets stuck, we have no A/C , one fan under the hood work,shocks missing up tires, battery die all the time, and have had problems with the car just cutting off at lights or when stoped by itself.”

NHTSA complaint #11129519, filed 2018-09

“These cars have severe issues with their frames and they rot. There are TONS of recalls in Canada and I am wondering why the same recalls are not in the US - this is equally dangerous regardless of location - especially upstate NY where the climate is extremely similar to Canada. I have had TWO LIFE THREATENING INCIDENTS recently - one with the front axel completely breaking several months ago, and yesterday when the frame and rear axel fell apart. Fortunately both times, I was barely moving or I would likely not be here to be typing this. …”

NHTSA complaint #11537675, filed 2023-08

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201027%
2009516%
20081412%
200765%
2006119%
200585%
2004135%
2003328%

Other parts of the 2006 Honda Element

Air bags
55 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Suspension
10 complaints
Seats
9 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Seat belts
5 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
5 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Engine
3 complaints
Equipment
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 Honda Element

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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