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2006 Honda Element: airbags did not deploy in a crash

11 of the 122 complaints about the 2006 Honda Element describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.

owner complaints
11
of this car's complaints
9%
typical mileage
58,811
recalls
7
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls and 30 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year

What owners say

Filed Feb 1, 2026 · Airbags · FL · crash · 1 injury

Vehicle (2-owner, all svc records), involved in a head-on collision, with approximately 75% of impact/damage to the Driver’s front (see photos). The passenger front (25% of impact) airbag deployed, the DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG did NOT deploy. The Takata airbag recall service/replacement (see invoice) was performed by a local Honda dealership on 01/08/2018. (Factory recall: 16-047; Kit Inflator: 06999). The vehicle is in my (owner’s) private possession since the time of the incident, I have deliberately not yet had it serviced or inspected for damage/repair estimates in any way, as my priority is to FIRST go through proper, qualified channels to have it properly inspected and diagnosed in regards to the AIRBAG FAILURE.

Filed Jul 14, 2018 · Airbags · 150,000 miles · TX · crash

Daughter was driving on a highway with stop and go traffic and hit the car in front of her. The passenger air bag went off, which we had fixed on a recall notice years before. However the driver air bag did not go off. My daughter went forward and it affected her jaw. We are concerned that the driver airbag did not even go off to protect her. The police even commented on it. Her car may be unfixable we will know soon. We want to report this for others safety.

Filed Feb 24, 2015 · Airbags · 58,811 miles · NC · crash · 1 injury

This vehicle was making a left turn into a neighborhood when it collided with an oncoming vehicle which was traveling approximately 45 MPH. The impact was front driver's side to front driver's side. The driver's side airbag did not deploy which resulted in the driver losing consciousness and suffering a concussion.

Filed Jun 25, 2014 · Airbags, Body · 96,000 miles · CA · crash

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.

Filed Sep 16, 2013 · Airbags, Body · 161,000 miles · NY · crash

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.

Filed Dec 17, 2012 · Airbags · 78,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

I was driving on a curvy road where it had recently rained - only driver was in vehicle. The element SUV skid and possibly hydroplaned a little. The SUV jumped the curb and crashed into a concrete column of a freeway overpass. The front end was smashed in and the radiator was destroyed. The passenger side airbag deployed but the driver airbag did not deploy. The collision was more on the driver side and it still did not deploy the airbag. The seatbelt I had on tensed up and kept me from crashing into the steering wheel. I did bounce a little and hit my head either on the side column or the frame above the window. The airbag may have prevented that. I am shocked it did not deploy.

Filed Jan 31, 2011 · Airbags · 39,675 miles · OR · crash · 2 injuries

I ran head on into the side of a mitsubishi montero going 40 MPH. The passenger airbag deployed even though there wasn't a passenger. The driver airbag did not deploy. The police, firemen, paramedics, and insurance adjusters were all shocked when they saw the car with the airbag not deployed. I have a photo of the damage to the front of the car that I can e-mail to you which will show the amount of damage. I have a photo of the inside showing the passenger airbag deployed and the driver airbag intact.

Filed Feb 24, 2009 · Airbags, Seat belts · 21,800 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

While sitting behind a car waiting to make a left hand turn 2006 honda element was struck from behind by a car traveling approx. 45 MPH. 2006 element then struck the car in front of it. Driver's side airbag did not deploy, nor did the seat belt grab, resulting in driver smashing face and ribs against steering wheel.

Filed Jan 23, 2008 · Airbags · 26,500 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

My 2006 honda element was involved in an accident. My front end impacted the passenger side of the other vehicle. The entire front end of the element was crushed and part of the frame damaged beyond repair. The driver's airbag failed to deploy while the passenger's airbag did inflate. Driver has suffered bruising in the chest area from the seat belt. Car is currently in an autobody shop in arlington waiting for the insurance company to declare it unrepairable.

Filed Jun 4, 2007 · Airbags · 9,139 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 honda element. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The air bags failed to deploy. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of failure and advised the contact to call the manufacturer and the federal safety agency. The contact sustained an injury to her collar bone. A police report was filed. The engine size and # of cylinders were unknown. Updated 08/16/07.

Filed Oct 25, 2006 · Airbags, Seat belts · 5,300 miles · NM · crash

Driver ran into stopped car in front of him. Speed was sufficient to flatten the car up to the front of the engine - little damage behind that. Car is 2006 honda element. Air bag did not deploy. Safety belt did not lock up quickly - driver struck the steering wheel, and chest was bruised by top of steering wheel. Passenger seat moved to the full forward position, almost touching the dashboard. No significant injuries resulted, but safety systems did not work as expected.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported June 27, 2019 · 3,947 vehicles affected
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 moduleReported June 27, 2019 · 1,657,752 vehicles affected
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 moduleReported March 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles affected
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 moduleReported April 26, 2018 · 1,335 vehicles affected
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 moduleReported January 10, 2017 · 308,884 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever 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, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2009 Acura RL and Honda Element vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles and 2006-2009 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever 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." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2008 Acura RL, Honda Element and Honda Pilot vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2006-2008 Honda Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or ever 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 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 front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

Recall number 17V029000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator moduleReported May 23, 2016 · 1,790,894 vehicles affected
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 moduleReported May 28, 2015 · 6,281,043 vehicles affected
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

Questions about the 2006 Honda Element no deployment

Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2006 Honda Element?

11 of 122 owner complaints about the 2006 Honda Element (9%) 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 2006 Honda Element?

There are 7 recalls and 30 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2006 Honda Element

Airbag light 11Headlights 5Power windows 5Stalling 5

All model years of the Honda Element

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