10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,292 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Honda Element seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2003 Honda Element Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #40

Jun 262024

Element

  • 200,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V370000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that the vehicle was at the dealer for a week for the recall repair. The contact stated that while the vehicle was still at the dealer, the vehicle was started, and the air bag warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

- Sammamish, WA, USA

problem #39

Jan 292024

Element

  • miles
While driving on a rough road the driver's seat airbag deployed injuring my arm (big bruise and tennis-ball size laceration). I plan to take the vehicle into the dealership to find out why this happened.

- Myrtle Point, OR, USA

problem #38

Nov 102022

Element

  • miles
Seems Honda is hiding specific vin needing recal replacement of airbag fue to fact it's deployed. Attempt to cover up recall regarding this specific vin possibly aware that damage is done and if airbag deployed, vin check results "no current recalls" for vehicle. 2003 Honda Element had first recall replacement done. At that time Honda had person come to house to notify. This time, second recall, too late. It deployed and air bag is on recall list. Please provide honest facts. Correct me please if I misunderstood.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #37

May 012020

Element

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Airbag lights keeps turning on and off and has now stayed on permanently. This is a safety issue if airbags fail to deploy.

- Stevens Point, WI, USA

problem #36

Feb 012020

Element 4-cyl

  • miles
2003 Honda Element. Consumer writes in regards to passenger side airbag and ignition switch safety recall. The consumer stated the vehicle was improperly repaired during the recall repair process. The consumer stated the manufacturer was contacted but, did not offer any assistance.

- Menlo Park, CA, USA

problem #35

May 192018

Element

  • miles
Takata recall: I sold this vehicle (2003 Honda Element) in early 2011. When the airbags were recalled, I began receiving notices form Honda about the recall. I have returned the mailings and also called the 800 number (at least 4 times in total), each time letting them know that I no longer own the vehicle. I continue to receive recall notices, despite notifying them that I am not the owner. This would point to the fact that the actual owner of the car is not receiving notices. If Honda is not accurately updating their database, owners at risk from this recall may be oblivious to it.

- Brunswick, MD, USA

problem #34

Aug 012016

Element

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had a minor accident and the airbag's powder, white substance burned my skin.

- Skokie, IL, USA

problem #33

Jul 012016

Element

  • miles
Takata recall since receiving the first recall notice in June if 2016, I've called the Honda dealership where I purchased my vehicle(ourisman Honda, bethesda md.) - and where I have it regularly serviced - 3 times. They promise to call me when they can replace the defective part, but have yet to call me with a service appointment. I've waited ten months since receiving thenrevall notice, and just today received a second recall notice for the same issue.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #32

Mar 272017

Element

  • miles
Takata recall, received notice of this recall in July, 7 2016, mechanicsville Honda contacted and part was ordered 7/7/16. Never received notice to return to dealership to replaced defective part under recall. Received second recall notice 3/27/17

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #31

Jun 092016

Element

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V344000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Mayville, NY, USA

problem #30

Sep 222016

Element

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I received notice in late June 2016 regarding the recall, and called at the beginning of July, scheduled an appointment for July 13, 2016. I received a call on the day of the appointment from the dealer saying they did not have the parts to fix the recall. I was told they would call me back when parts were available. I called in August and again on September 22, 2016 and I received the same response. On the recall it suggests for no one to ride in the passenger's seat until the air bag is replaced. I feel that we are approaching 90 days with no resolution is a bit too long.

- Mayfield, KY, USA

problem #29

Sep 132016

Element

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V344000 (air bags) however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced any failures. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #28

Jun 132016

Element

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V344000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- East Hartford, CT, USA

problem #27

Jun 142016

Element

  • miles
Takata recall : airbag recall slip, no parts available, steering seems to have issues on drivers front, while in motion, transmission whines, while backing and driving any road style, remote key lock issues, stationary

- Wheeling, WV, USA

problem #26

Jun 012016

Element

  • miles
Takata recall: I have received a recall notice for this vehicle. I note that the dealer is required to address the issue within 60 days of an appointment date. Our dealership is garcia Honda in albuquerque nm. Over the last two weeks I have tried numerous times to schedule an appointment. When I call I am forwarded to a number which rings, and rings, and rings.... and no one ever picks up. Seems inappropriate to try to get around the 60 day requirement by never allowing someone to schedule an appointment.

- Hillsboro, NM, USA

problem #25

Apr 082016

Element

  • miles
My airbag light is on and will not go off and I also have a knocking and ticking noise on the front passenger side when turning my steering wheel.

- Garland, NC, USA

problem #24

Mar 232016

Element

  • 180,000 miles
Takata recall. At less than speed limit of 35 mph, vehicle encountered icy conditions on hill, and vehicle rolled approximately 100 feet off of road into gently graded area. Vehicle was able to drive straight out without any significant body damage, yet airbags both deployed upon exiting the road, most likely due to rolling over a small curb before leaving roadway. This was a city street, early in the morning of March 23, 2016, with my licensed and insured 16 year old daughter driving. But for the airbag deployment she would have driven away without incident, but dual deployment resulted in burns to her jacket and right arm and a laceration to her left knee due to her reaction to the unexpected deployment. I believe the airbag initiators were overly sensitive or on a hair trigger. Estimated speed at time of deployment is 25mph or less. Vehicle was previously owned and registered in New Mexico and apparently in storage for a period where it would have been extremely hot and/or humid at times, but at time of incident was owned and registered in North Dakota. Police and insurance reports are pending at this time. Police, insurance and ambulance reports would not even exist but for shock of airbag deployment as there was no impact, no other vehicles involved, and no tickets issued or driving cited.

- Watford City, ND, USA

problem #23

Mar 012016

Element

  • miles
2003 Honda Element. Consumer writes in regards to unsatisfactory customer service at dealership with ignition switch and airbag repairs. The consumer stated the air bag light would come on occasionally. Also, the key would get stuck in the ignition and the vehicle would not start at times when the consumer turned the key in the ignition.

- Wallington, NJ, USA

problem #22

Jan 202016

Element

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. While driving 30 mph, the contact's vehicle struck another vehicle on the driver side. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V351000 (air bags) a month ago and stated that the vehicle was repaired. The contact sustained three broken ribs and liver damage, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 103,000.

- Scottdale, AZ, USA

problem #21

Apr 202015

Element 4-cyl

  • 183,645 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V353000 (air bags) and 15V320000 (air bags) and stated that the parts needed were unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 11/18/15 updated 01/11/16. Updated 1/12/2016

- Limor, CA, USA

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