Is the Honda Element Reliable?
2003–2011 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.
Reliability Score
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 | 10 | 7 | — | — | 78 | Good |
| 2010 | 10 | 26 | 2 | — | 73 | Good |
| 2009 | 8 | 21 | 1 | — | 74 | Good |
| 2008 | 12 | 67 | 2 | — | 69 | Good |
| 2007 | 11 | 63 | 6 | — | 69 | Good |
| 2006 | 11 | 80 | 3 | — | 69 | Good |
| 2005 | 10 | 92 | 9 | — | 66 | Good |
| 2004 | 9 | 169 | 10 | — | 63 | Fair |
| 2003 | 10 | 236 | 17 | — | 59 | Fair |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the Element Compares to Similar Vehicles
The Element scores 1 points above the average suv — a strong result.
Known Honda Element Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 761 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Honda Element reliable?+
The Honda Element scores 69/100 on our reliability index — rated "Good." Across 9 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 91 recall campaigns and 761 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 78/100 with 10 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
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.
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