CarRecallWatchThe 2005 Honda Element has 7 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA, including 13 crashes, 5 fires, 19 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Air Bags (78 reports).
2005 Honda Element recalls
Driver Airbag Inflator Can Explode, Sending Metal Shrapnel
The driver-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles may rupture because its propellant can degrade over time after long-term exposure to high humidity, heat and temperature swings.
Passenger airbag may explode and spray metal shards
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in certain vehicles may rupture due to propellant degradation after long-term exposure to high humidity, heat and temperature cycling.
Driver airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
The driver's frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles may rupture during deployment because of a manufacturing error.
Passenger Front Airbag Can Rupture and Spray Metal Fragments
The passenger-side front airbag inflator in these vehicles may rupture during a crash that requires the front airbags to deploy.
Passenger Airbag May Rupture and Spray Metal Fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Driver Airbag Inflator Can Rupture, Sending Metal Fragments
The driver's frontal airbag inflator can be affected by moisture intrusion and manufacturing variability.
Most common 2005 Honda Element problems
Problem areas named in the 159 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 78 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Suspension | 13 |
| Visibility | 12 |
| Seats | 12 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Structure | 8 |
| Seat Belts | 8 |
| Steering | 7 |
What owners report
On 8.31.26, while driving my 2005 Honda Element Mileage: Approximately 125,000), the front passenger-side airbag spontaneously deployed without warning.There was absolutely no vehicle collision, physical impact, pothole, undercarriage strike, or jarring event to trigger a deployment. Approximately 10 hours prior to the spontaneous deployment, the airbag warning light illuminated on the instrument cluster and remained solid, indicating an active system fault. The car then sat parked for about 8 hours, before driving again. The light remained on.The uncommanded deployment filled the cabin with a smell and gases while the vehicle was in motion between towns. A VIN lookup shows no currently outs
Left rear trailing arm mount has rusted and trailing arm is not intact.
"Reporting a Material Compound Failure on a set of 4 Falken Wildpeak AT Trails tires (size 215/70/16) sold as 'new' but manufactured in 2021 (DOT 3921). Despite 8/32" tread remaining (75% life), from there original 10/32'' tread the rubber is failing with severe dry rot/cracking through the sidewall and markings on all 4 tireson the outside,and inside of the tire walls. This is a safety hazard involving undisclosed 'New Old Stock' this is premature failure ,and was confirmed by Mavis Tire,and Brake center inspection that is also a Falken authorized dealer.
The contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle began to tilt sideways while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled off to the shoulder of the roadway. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear driverâs side control arm had separated from the frame of the vehicle, causing the rear wheel to tuck in underneath the wheel hub. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it remained undiagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that based on the pictures, the entire suspension needed to be replaced.
Air bag in drivers seat deployed when I shut rear door. Car was running at the time.
2005 Honda Element questions
Does the 2005 Honda Element have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2005 Honda Element: Driver Airbag Inflator Can Explode, Sending Metal Shrapnel; Passenger airbag may explode and spray metal shards; Driver airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger Front Airbag Can Rupture and Spray Metal Fragments; Passenger Airbag May Rupture and Spray Metal Fragments. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Honda Element?
Based on 159 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (78), Electrical System (16), Suspension (13).
How do I check if a recall on my 2005 Honda Element has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.