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Air bagsPart report

2008 Honda Element Air bags Problems

Complaints
24about this part
Share
21%of 113 total for the year
Median mileage
98,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Honda Element, 21% of the 113 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 98,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 7 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.

“I am following up on my recent replacement of the recalled driver's side air bag. Worried that the same problem could exist on the passenger side, I have contacted Honda to inquire if the passenger side airbag is similar to the recalled item and also in need of replacement. Honda has told me that the passenger side air bag is a takata brand but a different model. Upon research on your site, I found that Honda Element years 2003-2004 have had a recall for a similar design and vintage air bag under NHTSA campaign 14v700000. …”

NHTSA complaint #10702685, filed 2015-03, 40,000 miles

“Passenger frontal airbag inflator had a recall in july 2016. Finally, in march 2017, the part is available and can be replaced, more than 8 months later”

NHTSA complaint #10969190, filed 2017-03, 98,000 miles

“while driving 65 mph on the freeway my side passenger curtain airbag and the airbag in the from passenger seat deployed. We did not hit anything nor is there any visible damage to the exterior or underside of the car”

NHTSA complaint #11446665, filed 2022-01

“Takata inflators, I have been trying to get Honda to fix the airbag problem since we got the first letter in the mail and even had people from Honda come to our house and we have set up various appointments for them to come out to replace airbags to only have an excuse or no show, as I type this I have been on the phone for 40 min now trying to get theair bags fixed but still no response, I am not the only person getting the same treatment from Honda”

NHTSA complaint #11253380, filed 2019-09

“There has been no crash as such--I am complaining about Honda's lack of responsiveness to the airbag inflator recall. I have been trying to get this recall taken care of for some time. Currently, a Honda dealership has my car but I can get no information from them about when the part will be in--they did not even seem familiar with the recall when I took the car in for service & showed them the letter. I do have a rental car for now, but this is not acceptable as a long-term solution. …”

NHTSA complaint #10713246, filed 2015-04

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2011655%
2010723%
2009516%
20082421%
20072724%
20065545%
20057648%
20047326%
20034912%

Other parts of the 2008 Honda Element

Brakes
34 complaints
Suspension
24 complaints
Body and structure
14 complaints
Electrical system
6 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Tires
4 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Electronic stability control
2 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints
Engine
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Honda Element

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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