Honda Element Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy

Q: What year Element should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, the 2003 Honda Element has the most documented problems with a problem score of 296 — driven by 9 recalls, 235 complaints.

Q: What is the best year Element to buy?

The 2011 Honda Element is the best-scoring year in our analysis with a problem score of only 31, meaning 8 recalls and 7 complaints on record.

Q: Which Element has the fewest problems?

The 2011, 2009, 2010 model years have the fewest reported problems in the NHTSA database. Always verify a specific vehicle's history with a VIN report before purchasing.

Every Honda Element model year (2003–2011) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.

Years Tracked

Total Recalls

759

Total Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Honda Element Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

2003

9 recalls · 235 complaints

17 reported injuries

Top issue: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Problem score: 296

#2 WORST

2004

8 recalls · 169 complaints

10 reported injuries

Top issue: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Problem score: 213

#3 WORST

2005

6 recalls · 92 complaints

9 reported injuries

Top issue: AIR BAGS

Problem score: 128

Best Honda Element Years to Buy

#1 BEST

2011

8 recalls · 7 complaints

Main area: AIR BAGS

Problem score: 31

#2 BEST

2009

6 recalls · 20 complaints

Main area: SERVICE BRAKES

Problem score: 40

#3 BEST

2010

9 recalls · 26 complaints

Main area: AIR BAGS

Problem score: 57

Found the right year? Verify that specific Element with a free VIN report.

Honda Element — Year-by-Year Problem Report

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Injuries	Deaths	Problem Score	Verdict
2011	8	7	—	—	31	Good
2010	9	26	2	—	57	Good
2009	6	20	1	—	40	Good
2008	9	67	2	—	98	Good
2007	9	63	6	—	102	Good
2006	7	80	3	—	107	Caution
2005	6	92	9	—	128	Caution
2004	8	169	10	—	213	Avoid
2003	9	235	17	—	296	Avoid

All 9 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.

Honda Element Shopping Guide by Era

Pre-2013

Proceed with Caution

Older Element models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year Element should I avoid?+

Avoid the 2003 Honda Element if possible. It has 9 recalls, 235 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 296 — the highest in our dataset.

What is the best year Element to buy?+

The 2011 Honda Element is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 31. It has only 8 recalls and 7 complaints on record with NHTSA.

Which Element has the fewest problems?+

The 2011, 2009, 2010 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.

More Honda Element Research

Reliability Score

Overall reliability rating and score breakdown for the Honda Element.

Common Problems

Full breakdown of every reported defect for the Honda Element.

Check a Specific Honda Element VIN

Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.

Run a Free VIN Report →