Is the Honda Element Reliable?

Q: Is the Honda Element reliable?

The Honda Element scores 32/100 on the VinCheckEngine reliability index, which rates as "Poor" for the 2003–2011 model years. Run a free VIN report at vincheckengine.com for vehicle-specific analysis.

Q: What year Element is most reliable?

Among recently analyzed years, the 2011 Honda Element scored highest with a reliability score of 53/100. Fewer recalls and complaints were reported for that model year.

Q: How many miles does a Element last?

With regular maintenance, most Honda Element owners report 150,000–200,000+ miles of reliable service. High-mileage examples frequently appear at auction. Always verify with a VIN history report before purchasing a used Element.

2003–2011 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.

32/100

Poor

Reliability Score

Total Recalls

759

Owner Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Own a Honda Element? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

Honda Element Reliability by Year

Model Year	Recalls	Complaints	Injuries	Deaths	Reliability Score	Rating
2011	8	7	—	—	53	Fair
2010	9	26	2	—	28	Poor
2009	6	20	1	—	50	Fair
2008	9	67	2	—	24	Poor
2007	9	63	6	—	22	Poor
2006	7	80	3	—	34	Poor
2005	6	92	9	—	36	Poor
2004	8	169	10	—	25	Poor
2003	9	235	17	—	17	Poor

Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.

How the Element Compares to Similar Vehicles

Honda Element32/100

Suv Category Average68/100

The Element scores 36 points below the average suv. Consider checking years with lower complaint volumes.

Known Honda Element Reliability Issues

The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

150

AIR BAGS

118

SUSPENSION

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SEATS

STRUCTURE:BODY

Based on 759 owner complaints across recent model years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Honda Element reliable?+

The Honda Element scores 32/100 on our reliability index — rated "Poor." Across 9 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 71 recall campaigns and 759 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.

What year Element is most reliable?+

Among the years analyzed, the 2011 Element achieved the highest reliability score of 53/100 with 8 recalls and 7 complaints.

How many miles does a Element last?+

With consistent maintenance, most Honda Element owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used Element will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.

More Honda Element Research

Common Problems

Detailed breakdown of every reported defect for the Honda Element.

Years to Avoid

Which Element years have the most problems — and which are the best buys.

Check a Specific Honda Element VIN

Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.

Run a Free VIN Report →