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 300 — driven by 10 recalls, 236 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 37, meaning 10 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

761

Total Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Honda Element Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

2003

10 recalls · 236 complaints

17 reported injuries

Top issue: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Problem score: 300

#2 WORST

2004

9 recalls · 169 complaints

10 reported injuries

Top issue: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Problem score: 216

#3 WORST

2005

10 recalls · 92 complaints

9 reported injuries

Top issue: AIR BAGS

Problem score: 140

Best Honda Element Years to Buy

#1 BEST

2011

10 recalls · 7 complaints

Main area: AIR BAGS

Problem score: 37

#2 BEST

2009

8 recalls · 21 complaints

Main area: SUSPENSION

Problem score: 47

#3 BEST

2010

10 recalls · 26 complaints

Main area: AIR BAGS

Problem score: 60

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	10	7	—	—	37	Good
2010	10	26	2	—	60	Good
2009	8	21	1	—	47	Good
2008	12	67	2	—	107	Caution
2007	11	63	6	—	108	Caution
2006	11	80	3	—	119	Caution
2005	10	92	9	—	140	Caution
2004	9	169	10	—	216	Avoid
2003	10	236	17	—	300	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 10 recalls, 236 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 300 — 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 37. It has only 10 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 →