2004 Honda Element Air Bags Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS · data through 07/14/2026

59Air Bags complaints

21%Of all 281 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags ranks on this vehicle

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD100 · 35.6%

AIR BAGS59 · 21%

SEATS26 · 9.3%

SEAT BELTS14 · 5%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12 · 4.3%

Share of the 281 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2004 Honda Element overview page.

What owners report

“AIR BAGS AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. AIR BAGS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND BROUGHT TO DEALER. CABLE REEL ASSEMBLY IN STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD…”NHTSA complaint 10217432 — filed 02/08/2008

“2004 HONDA ELEMENT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT SHE PROBABLY HIT A POT HOLE.”NHTSA complaint 10160514 — filed 06/13/2006

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Honda Element have air bags problems?

Air Bags is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2004 Honda Element: 59 of 281 complaints on file (21%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2004 Honda Element have in total?

281 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 16 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 19 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.