Honda Element Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability Report
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported injuries, and worst problem areas. Data sourced from federal safety databases and updated daily.
Own a Honda Element? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Honda Element — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Worst Component | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011Best | 11 | 11 | 0 | AIR BAGS | Full report → |
| 2010 | 11 | 30 | 5 | AIR BAGS | Full report → |
| 2009 | 9 | 29 | 2 | SERVICE BRAKES | Full report → |
| 2008 | 13 | 109 | 2 | AIR BAGS | Full report → |
| 2007 | 12 | 112 | 6 | AIR BAGS | Full report → |
| 2006Worst | 11 | 121 | 16 | AIR BAGS | Full report → |
Most Common Element Problems
Based on 412 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across recent model years.
Element Years to Avoid
Best Element Years to Buy
Years with the fewest combined complaints and recalls in recent data.
Honda Element Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Honda Element Reliability
What year Element has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2006 Honda Element had the highest combined complaint and recall count among recent model years — 121 complaints and 11 safety recalls. See the full 2006 report for details on specific defects.
Is the Honda Element reliable?
The Honda Element has accumulated 412 owner-filed complaints and 67 safety recalls across recent model years in NHTSA's national database. The 2011 model year stands out as having the fewest reported issues in recent data. Reliability varies significantly by year and individual vehicle history — always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Element.
What are the most common Element problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas for the Honda Element across recent model years are: AIR BAGS (105 reports), SUSPENSION (37 reports), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (36 reports), VISIBILITY (27 reports). These are based on NHTSA complaints submitted directly by vehicle owners.
How do I check if my Element has an open recall?
You can check for open recalls on any Honda Element using the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with accident history, odometer records, and other key information. Recalls on this page are model-level — a VIN check will confirm whether your specific vehicle's recall was remedied.
Check a Specific Honda Element VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, lien status, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Honda Element VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily