Has anyone determined if the '06 steering wheel can be purchased complete with remote radio controls, and installed to work with an '05 EX? This should be a simple "plug and Play". Perhaps the radio head will also need to be exchanged. Sounds expensive, but may be a simple solution. My local dealer is now checking with Honda America. I plan to try.

Do some searches here in the DIY section on retrofits done from Pilot parts. But the short answer is, we don't yet know about '06 Element parts.

What you'll learn about the Pilot retrofit is that the '03-'05 Element radios, at least on EX models, will work. It's one wire added to the back and run through the spool (modified) and to the steering wheel switches.

But yeah, I've been waiting to learn this to, otherwise I'll eventually use the Pilot parts unless I feel like blowing the $40 or whatever it will take to buy an '06 Element spool. Since the Pilot spool doesn't work for the Element my hope is that the '06 Element spool and switches would suffice without having to solder anything --- maybe just add the wire to the existing spool harness if it's compatible.

I would also like to see if this mod works, since I really don't care for the Pilot wheel, I like mine the way it is.

Oh --- you don't need a Pilot steering wheel, just the spool and the radio buttons for one. Search.

Funny thing, I was thinking about doing the same. I thought, I would ask the dealer, the next time I went in. Going in for some work on the CRV in a fue days. I will ask. Then post .

yeah i'm also interested, let us know what you find out dom.five! thanks

I would ask the dealer.
Careful about asking the dealer or parts depertment. Some ,not all, may be a bit nervous about giving out info on swapping parts connected to the airbags. I originally asked one parts department if they had a leather Pilot steering wheel leftover from where the owners switch to the wood grain wheel so that I could fit it into the Element. They wanted to sell me a new leather wheel $250-$300 along with a new airbag for the Element.
About a week later I snagged a leather wheel off Ebay for $10 and in about 30-45 mintutes I had it installed.

Careful about asking the dealer or parts depertment. Some ,not all, may be a bit nervous about giving out info on swapping parts connected to the airbags. I originally asked one parts department if they had a leather Pilot steering wheel leftover from where the owners switch to the wood grain wheel so that I could fit it into the Element. They wanted to sell me a new leather wheel $250-$300 along with a new airbag for the Element.
About a week later I snagged a leather wheel off Ebay for $10 and in about 30-45 mintutes I had it installed.

Having worked in parts for the last 16 plus years...i wouldnt touch that with a ten foot pole.....too many things can go wrong......and guess who gets the blame if an air bag goes off in some one face...........

Empire and lizzurd are both correct:

1) They aren't gonna know the answer because the job they do has nothing to do with customization. If you happen to talk to a "tuner" or enthusiast who knows that's one thing.

2) But he'd be reluctant to give this info out to Joe Blow, for obvious reasons. If I was in lizzurd's shoes I'd never so much as hint at what's possible. You could easily set up your employer for a lawsuit or angry customer when some shlub gets hurt or hurts their vehicle.

Folks, we are on our own --- no surprise there.