I was driving my 2004 Honda Element on a gravel road, which I do most days as I live on this road, and the side airbag on the driver's side deployed for no reason, causing me bodily harm with scratching and bruising to my left upper arm.

- Okolona, AR, USA

I was driving my 2004 Honda Element to work on the morning of May 27, 2011 when the (drivers side) side curtain air bag deployed. There was no collision or known reason for it to deploy. It startled me badly, nearly causing me to go off the road. At first, I thought it might be a gun shot. I stopped the vehicle, got out and checked for damage, holes. I only noticed the bag hanging from the side of the seat when I went to enter the vehicle again. I had no idea what had happened until I saw that bag. My left upper arm felt as if I had been punched hard. Nether my insurance company(safety) nor american Honda will cover the damage which was estimated at a bit over $1500. I brought the vehicle to my Honda dealer. They could find no "codes" or other reason for the bag deploy. My insurance company representative stated it couldn't have happened as I reported and inferred I might be trying to defraud the company. All in all, this was a very bad experience.

- Peru, MA, USA

Passengers seat, side airbag, deployed while traveling less than 10 mph. I was turning into my driveway and getting ready to park. Vehicle was not involved in an accident, did not hit a pot hole, etc. Honda states that the vehicle is out of warranty and will not repair. Cost of repair estimated at over $2400.

- Todd, NC, USA

Drivers side airbag deployed spontaneously while vehicle was parked. The vehicle was never in an accident and incurred no impact whatsoever! Honda said SRS chip (for airbags) info indicated Element was in collision...despite the contrary. Our insurance says it was not, and claimed it was defective Honda parts. Honda technician even told us not to drive too fast over bumpy roads??!! it's a 4X4!! Honda refused any responsibility. Costs about $1200 to fix. Huge safety issue and I will keep pursuing Honda for this...they need to address this problem.

- Twin Bridges, MT, USA

Driver's side airbag deployed while driving under normal conditions, no impact, accident or visible sign of damage that would trigger airbag deployment.

- Austin, TX, USA

Driver side airbag exploded suddenly for no reason while driving on a freeway. Airbag was ripped & deflated in the explosion.

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

Unprompted airbag deployment on my 2004 Honda Element. Slammed car door shut when it was parked and off. Heard loud pop sound. Didn't know what it was. When I restarted the car, the SRS light was on. Opened front/rear door and saw that the stitching on the driver's seat was all torn and the airbag was semi-exposed. When I took it to the dealer, they said it was my fault. I had done something to cause the SRS sensor to be defective. They told me to claim it via insurance. I have since investigated and found many many other people with the same issue-- and having been told the same excuse. Seems to me that Honda is trying to cover something up. I will be contacting the press if no one responds to this submission asap.

- Phila, PA, USA

While driving approximately 35 mph driver's side air bag inadvertently deployed. The cause of why this happened is undetermined.

- Van Horn, TX, USA