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2003-2011 · 9 model years

Honda Element Problems by year

Owners have filed 185 complaints about the Honda Element across 9 model years, and it has 24 recalls. The 2008 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (113). The most reported problem area is the brakes, followed by the airbags.

Most complaints for its age2008113 complaints · 13 recallsSee the 2008
Complaints
185
Recalls
24
Crashes
12
Fires
0
Injuries
9
Deaths
0

Element complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
2011111110AirbagsC
2010301120AirbagsF
200931940BrakesD
20081131350BrakesF
200701200-C
200601100-C
200501000-C
200401100-C
200301200-C

Most common Element problems

Honda Element recalls 24

Latest Element complaints

2009 Honda ElementSuspension

The frame rusted and separated where the rear trail arm connects to the vehicle, so it cannot move.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 11769951
2008 Honda ElementSuspension

The front bushing bracket on the left (driver's side) rear trailing arm may have an improper weld and could separate from the arm. I am noticing some rust in this area. I have rustproofed the vehicle to help prolong the life and to avoid a separated bracket which can release the lower portion of the wheel hub and damage the brake system, leading to a loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 11767821
2008 Honda ElementAirbags

We were driving on a bumpy road and our driver side curtain airbag deployed and cracked the windshield

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11764818
2009 Honda ElementSuspensionBody, doors & structureWheels & tires

The car is extremely rusty, so much so that the driver side trailing arm detached from the rest of the frame. The driver side rear suspension components are detached from the car. The car has been garage-kept since new, yet is extremely rusty. This is just like what the Canadian Honda Element recall was all about. The local dealership refused to do anything and said the car was out of warranty.

Filed Incident Suspension · Structure · WheelsNHTSA 11755910
2008 Honda ElementOther & unknownCrash

I was driving on a 65 mph highway when another vehicle forced me off the road causing my vehicle to spin out and hit a guardrail pretty much head on at about 60-65mph. Should my airbags have gone off? My safety could have been at risk because of how my vehicle went from highway speed into a guardrail, my car bounced off of the guardrail and spun so I was facing traffic coming towards me. I have sent a message to Honda asking about the airbags but I have not received a response, no the vehicle has not been inspected...

Read the full complaint

by anyone. I had no airbag sensors light up on my dash. I have a sensor for the passenger airbag as well which said it was off because no one was in the passenger seat. My car is totaled and the frame is bent on the driver side. When my vehicle hit the guardrail my head kept banging on the door, headrest and the beam where the two doors join. I have pretty bad whiplash and have been having some nerve issues on my left side, I am not sure if that constitutes as an injury. I have dash camera footage of me hitting the guardrail as well, my vehicle lost power once I hit it though. With the dash camera footage I do have to get permission from my attorney to release it if you need just because we are pursing the other driver for damages and injuries. I still have the vehicle on my property if it does need to be inspected. My main concern is making sure other drivers will be safe.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11755441

Questions about the Honda Element

Which Honda Element years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2008 (113), 2009 (31), 2010 (30). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2008 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

What are the most common Honda Element problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the brakes (47), airbags (42), suspension (39) most often.

How many recalls does the Honda Element have?

NHTSA lists 24 recalls across all Honda Element model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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