The Honda Element was manufactured for less than a decade, but it still has a cult following. The crossover is designed on a modified CR-V platform. Owners love the boxy shape and the cargo space. They claim its functionality can’t be beat.
However, the Honda Element is involved in several recalls.
Honda Element recalls include:
- Exploding airbags
- Airbag not installed correctly
- Accelerator pedal sticking
Recalls are concerning, particularly when they pose such an obvious safety threat. The good news is that recalls are designed to remedy safety problems. We’ll learn about the Honda Element recalls, and what you can do if your vehicle is affected.
Exploding Airbags
NHTSA Recall IDs: 19V501000, 19V499000, 19V182000, 18V662000, 18V041000, 17V029000, 16V344000, 15V320000
Honda has been plagued by problems with its airbags. This problem has spanned many vehicles, including the Honda Element. The first round of recalls involved 63 million airbags across tens of millions of vehicles that had Takata airbags. The inflators can degrade over time and explode upon deployment, causing serious injury or death.
The second round of recalls came when the airbags used in the original recalls were found to be dangerous. The inflators were designed with ammonium nitrate, which was meant to solve the original degradation problem. However, this caused a new problem.
Ammonium nitrate can become unstable over time, and cause the airbag to explode. Over one million Honda vehicles were affected by this recall.
The last recall involved an improper seal on the inflator. This can cause the airbag to explode or not deploy properly when it’s deployed in a crash.
If your Honda Element is subject to any of these recalls, your Honda dealership will replace the airbag free of charge.
Airbag not Installed Correctly
NHTSA Recall ID: 18V268000
This recall is separate from the exploding airbag recalls. This Honda Element recall states that the airbags were not installed correctly. This can cause it to deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash. This applies to previously recalled airbags that were reinstalled. It affects 1,335 vehicles, and it was issued in June 2018.
If your vehicle is involved in this recall, you should visit your local Honda dealer. They will perform the repair free of charge.
Accelerator Sticking
NHTSA Recall ID: 19E068000
This recall applies to the 2007-2011 Honda Element. The rotating piece of the accelerator pedal can bind.
This can cause the vehicle to keep accelerating or not return to idle once the pedal is released. This increases the risk of a vehicle crash because the driver isn’t in control of the vehicle’s acceleration.
If your vehicle is involved in this recall, you can have it repaired at your local Honda dealer. You can also contact the manufacturer, Dorman, at 1-800-523-2492. You’ll need to select option 5 from the menu.
Trailer Hitch Wiring Harness
NHTSA Recall ID: 12V436000
This recall applies to the 2007-2011 Honda Elements. 5,216 are affected, and the recall was issued in September 2012. The wire for the trailer turns signal got mixed up with the stop lamp wire for the brake light. This means that the trailer turn signal light will only illuminate when the brake light is illuminated.
This keeps the driver from correctly communicating their intent to other vehicles, and can result in a crash.
If your Honda Element has this problem, your local Honda dealership will repair it free of charge.
If Your Vehicle is Under Honda Element Recalls
Recalls are important for your safety and the proper functioning of your vehicle. To see if your Honda Element is under recall, you can check the NHTSA website using your VIN number for the most accurate information about recalls. You can also search using your make and model.
Other options include calling the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. If your vehicle isn’t part of a recall, but you feel it should be, you can file a complaint with the NHTSA. You can also see if other people have the same or similar problems with their Honda.
It’s important to provide the correct contact with Honda or your local dealership so you can be notified of any recalls. Some recalls can put you at risk of injury or an accident.
