The 2006 Honda Element has 7 recalls, all involving the front airbags: both the driver and passenger inflators can rupture during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin and causing serious injury or death.
All of these recalls trace back to the same well-documented Takata airbag inflator problem. When the driver or front passenger airbag deploys in a crash, the inflator can burst apart rather than inflate the bag normally, scattering sharp metal shards through the cabin at high speed. This risk affects both sides of the front seat and applies across multiple recall filings that cover different portions of the affected vehicle population, though the underlying danger is the same in each case. There is one additional concern on the passenger side: if the front passenger airbag was replaced at some point, it may have been installed incorrectly. An improperly seated airbag can deploy off-angle or with reduced effectiveness in a crash, raising the risk of injury compared to a properly mounted unit. Owners who have had any airbag work done on this vehicle should confirm that the replacement was performed correctly and that no further recall service is still pending.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front airbag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front airbag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Driver air bag inflators installed during previous recalls or as service parts may explode during a crash when the air bag deploys due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflator with a different inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement, potentially affecting its ability to deploy properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the passenger air bag and replace the module assembly if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator can rupture during a crash due to chemical breakdown from long-term exposure to heat and humidity.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver air bag inflator may rupture due to moisture and manufacturing variations that develop over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
