2004 Honda Element in a recent crash (October 26th, 2026) in which the vehicle was a total loss. The passenger side airbags did deploy, however the driver side airbag did not deploy. Recalls had been issued for both airbags and both times it was sent to a dealer for replacement. The vehicle is currently sitting in the yard of Happy Hills Towing near Lexington, North Carolina. As of this moment, the insurance adjuster for Erie Insurance Group has not inspected the vehicle nor contacted me, the driver, about it. My chest did impact the steering wheel, however my injuries were limited to severe bruising and minor rib and sternum injury.
2004 Honda Element: airbags did not deploy in a crash
11 of the 282 complaints about the 2004 Honda Element describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 103,476
- recalls
- 8
Is there a fix? There are 8 recalls and 44 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year
What owners say
I drive a 2004 Honda Element and on Friday 2/3/23 I was in a car accident where I t-boned a car going 25 mph and my airbags did NOT deploy.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 honda element. While attempting to operate the vehicle, the driver's foot slipped off the brake pedal and depressed the accelerator pedal. As a result, the contact crashed into the front passenger side of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The driver suffered headaches, but did not require medical attention. The vehicle was totaled and towed to the nearest independent auto yard. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
"takata recall " I was in a wreck hit a car from behind and airbag did not deploy but was also sent a letter in the mail stating that the air bag was recalled due to shards of metal coming out when the air bag does deploy ....
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda element. The contact stated that the driver crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and later towed to an independent mechanic for body repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda element. While driving at an unknown speed, another vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained whiplash, cervical strain, neck pains, x-rays, and further medical treatment. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken by the insurance company for body repairs and the air bag failure was not diagnosed. The dealer had not diagnosed the vehicle. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v700000 (air bags) and 14v351000 (air bags). The contact received the notification on april 15, 2015, but was unable to schedule the recall repairs within a reasonable timeframe because the parts were not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda element. The contact stated that a vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle, causing the contact to crash into a preceding vehicle. The front driver side seat belt did not restrain the contact and caused the contact to be injured. A passenger was also reported injured. In addition, the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and was not inspected to for the seat belt and air bag failures. The failure and the current mileage was 108,000. Updated 03/05/12*lj the consumer also stated the seat went from an upright position to a reclining position. Updated 03/07/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda element. The contact was involved in a crash in which the vehicle was destroyed and the air bags did not deploy. The contact was injured and was knocked unconscious during the crash. A police report was filed. The manufacturer and dealer were both contacted in regards to the failure. The failure and current mileages were 123,000. Updated 11/01/11.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 honda element. While driving 65 MPH, the contact had to swerve to avoid hitting a deer and the left rear struts snapped causing the vehicle to roll over 250 feet. The frontal air bags did not deploy but the side air bags did. The contact suffered injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was 103,476.
Driving 30 MPH on 2-way road. Driver coming other way cut me off, I swerved, he hit my left front with his right front. My driver airbag didn't deploy although passenger did. I sustained whiplash and chest trauma as a result. Honda 2004 element.
During a 45 MPH frontal collision front air bags did not deploy. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak
Service bulletins that may apply
- Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator.
- This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators
- This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators
- This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating to airbag inflators
- AS THE RESULT OF TAKATA DEFECT DETERMINATIONS AND the federal safety agency DIRECTIVES, AMERICAN HONDA HAS...
- Advertisement in hawaiian newspapers to remind owners of the takata recall and to schedule an appointment...
- AS THE RESULT OF TAKATA DEFECT DETERMINATIONS AND the federal safety agency DIRECTIVES, AMERICAN HONDA HAS...
- AS THE RESULT OF TAKATA DEFECT DETERMINATIONS AND the federal safety agency DIRECTIVES, AMERICAN HONDA HAS...
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (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 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
Recall number 19V499000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (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, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
Recall number 19V501000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (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, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
- Risk
- An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
Recall number 19V182000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (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, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- Risk
- An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are K1P, and M1O.
Recall number 18V268000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (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 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2008 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2008 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2008 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling model year 2002-2004 Odyssey and model year 2003-2004 Acura MDX, Honda Element, and Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KA0, KA1, KA2, and KA3.
Recall number 16V344000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Honda (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, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1‑800‑382‑2238, select option 4. Note: Vehicles that have had their driver frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy prior to September 12, 2014 need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Vehicles that, on or after September 12, 2014, received a remedy for a prior driver frontal air bag inflator recall already received an inflator of a different design, and therefore are not included in this recall and do not require additional servicing. Note: This recall fully supersedes recalls 08V‑593, 09V‑259, 10V‑041, 11V‑260, 14V‑351 and 15V‑153. Honda's numbers for this recall are JQ9, JR0, JR1, JR2, JR3, JR4, JR5, JR6, JR7, and JR8.
Recall number 15V320000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- American 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, 2003-2005 Accord, Pilot, Civic Hybrid, and Acura MDX, 2005 Acura RL and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in geographic locations associated with high absolute humidity. Specifically, vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa are addressed by this recall. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 14V700000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- American 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 MDX, model year 2003-2004 Odyssey and Element, and model year 2005 Acura RL, and 2006 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in California, and equipped with Takata-brand air bag inflators. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passengers frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflators in all affected vehicles, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2014. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 14V353000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2004 Honda Element no deployment
Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2004 Honda Element?
11 of 282 owner complaints about the 2004 Honda Element (4%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2004.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2004 Honda Element?
There are 8 recalls and 44 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2004 Honda Element
Windshield crack 66Wipers 25Airbag light 23Seat belt 8Ball joint 5Headlights 5
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