CarBrief

Air bags are the biggest problem area for the 2006 Honda Element, Air bags are the biggest problem area for the 2006 Honda Element, with 55 of its 122 NHTSA complaints[1][2]. The car also has several recalls on file, so check that every one has been done[3]., so check that every one has been done[3].

122owner complaints[2]
9recalls[3]
20–21MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 122 owner complaints for this model year[2]. Of those, 17 mention a crash, 1 a fire and 16 injuries, and none report a death[2]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints
Air bags[1] 55
Visibility[5] 12
Structure[6] 11
Electrical system[7] 11
Suspension[8] 10
Seats[9] 9
Unknown or other[10] 6
Seat belts[11] 5

Air bags. This group has 55 complaints, with 15 crashes and 16 injuries. The median mileage at failure is 76,500[1]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 6 describe a side or driver air bag going off with no real crash, and 5 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[1]. The sample is small, so it shows what owners describe, not how often each thing happens.

Visibility. There are 12 complaints, with no crashes or injuries and a median of 23,000 miles[5]. In a sample of 12 we read, 9 describe a windshield that cracked or pitted with no clear impact, and 4 describe a failed power window regulator[5].

Structure. There are 11 complaints[6]. In a sample of 10 we read, 3 describe rust on the frame or on a rear trailing arm[6]. The group has a median of 109,500 miles at failure[6].

Electrical system. There are 11 complaints[7]. In a sample of 11 we read, 3 say the dash gauges are hard to read in sunlight and 3 describe headlight trouble, such as lights staying on or low beams going out[7].

The other groups are smaller. Suspension has 10 complaints, seats 9 and seat belts 5[8][9][11]. We did not read samples for those groups, so we say nothing more about them.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 9 recalls for this model year[3]. Seven involve air bags. One covers the automatic transmission and one is a paperwork fix. The recall notices cover model-year ranges that include the Element, and some are limited to certain states. Check your own VIN with NHTSA to see which apply and which are already done. Each of the air bag and transmission notices says Honda will do the repair free of charge, and none says the remedy is unavailable.

Fuel economy

EPA lists four versions, all with a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine and regular fuel[4][21]. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2WD, automatic 4-speed[4] 19 / 24 / 21 $3,200
2WD, manual 5-speed[22] 19 / 23 / 21 $3,200
4WD, automatic 4-speed[23] 19 / 23 / 20 $3,350
4WD, manual 5-speed[21] 18 / 22 / 20 $3,350

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this model year as not rated[24]. That means there is no official crash star rating to compare.

Engine and size

The EPA listings show a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine for every version[4][23]. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, converted by us, and can differ slightly from US models.

Measure Front-wheel drive 4WD
Length[25][26] 169 in 169 in
Width[25][26] 72 in 72 in
Height[25][26] 70 in 74 in
Wheelbase[25][26] 102 in 102 in
Curb weight[25][26] 3,384 lb 3,596 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

2003: 423 complaints, 10 recalls20032004: 281 complaints, 9 recalls20042005: 159 complaints, 7 recalls20052006: 122 complaints, 9 recalls12220062007: 112 complaints, 10 recalls20072008: 113 complaints, 12 recalls20082009: 31 complaints, 8 recalls20092010: 30 complaints, 10 recalls20102011: 11 complaints, 10 recalls2011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Element model year. The 2006 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200342310
20042819
20051597
20061229
200711210
200811312
2009318
20103010
20111110

NHTSA's counts for each Element model year show the 2006 sits in the middle of the pack[3].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so compare them with care.

Should you buy a used 2006 Element?

The record points to one thing to check first: air bags. They account for 55 of 122 complaints[1] and 7 of the 9 recalls[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][3]. Before you buy, run the VIN through NHTSA and ask for proof that each air bag recall was done, since each notice says the repair is free[12][13][14]. Among the complaint samples we read, owners also describe windshield cracks and some frame rust, so a close look at the glass and the underside is reasonable[5][6]. NHTSA has not given this model year a star rating, so there is no official crash score to lean on[24].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Honda Element?
Air bags have the most NHTSA complaints, 55 of 122[1][2]. Visibility is next with 12, then structure and electrical with 11 each[5][6][7].
How many recalls does the 2006 Honda Element have?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for this model year, including 7 air bag recalls, a transmission software recall and an owner's manual correction[3][12][19][20].
What is the gas mileage of a 2006 Honda Element?
EPA lists 19 city and 24 highway for the 2WD automatic[4]. The 4WD manual is lowest at 18 city and 22 highway[21].
What did the 2006 Honda Element score in crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list it as not rated[24].
Is the 2006 Element better than other Element years?
By complaint count, 2006 has 122, fewer than 2003, 2004 and 2005 but more than 2007 and 2008 with 112 and 113[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. 55 complaints name the air bags component group (15 crashes, 0 fires, 16 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. NHTSA has 122 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Honda Element (17 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Element model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Element 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 12 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 23,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 11 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 109,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 10 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 9 complaints name the seats component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 150,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the seat belts component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 19V499, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 19V501, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 18V268, filed April 26, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 17V029, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 16V344, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 15V320, filed May 28, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 11V395, filed August 4, 2011: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm / Pcm / Tecm). NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 06V270, filed July 26, 2006: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
  21. EPA rating for Element 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 22 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Element 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 23 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for Element 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD/FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ELEMENT /Y PACKAGE 4DR SUV FWD: length 169 in, width 72 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,384 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ELEMENT /Y PACKAGE 4DR SUV 4WD: length 169 in, width 72 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,596 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.