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 2005 Honda Element has the most documented problems with a problem score of 24 — driven by 8 recalls, 0 complaints.

Q: What is the best year Element to buy?

The 2009 Honda Element is the best-scoring year in our analysis with a problem score of only 15, meaning 5 recalls and 0 complaints on record.

Q: Which Element has the fewest problems?

The 2009, 2007, 2008 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

Total Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Honda Element Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

2005

8 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Problem score: 24

#2 WORST

2006

8 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Problem score: 24

#3 WORST

2003

7 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Problem score: 21

Best Honda Element Years to Buy

#1 BEST

2009

5 recalls · 0 complaints

Main area: No significant complaints

Problem score: 15

#2 BEST

2007

6 recalls · 0 complaints

Main area: No significant complaints

Problem score: 18

#3 BEST

2008

6 recalls · 0 complaints

Main area: No significant complaints

Problem score: 18

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

Honda Element — Year-by-Year Problem Report

Year	Recalls	Injuries	Deaths	Problem Score	Verdict
2011	6	—	—	18	Avoid
2010	7	—	—	21	Avoid
2009	5	—	—	15	Caution
2008	6	—	—	18	Avoid
2007	6	—	—	18	Avoid
2006	8	—	—	24	Avoid
2005	8	—	—	24	Avoid
2004	7	—	—	21	Avoid
2003	7	—	—	21	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 2005 Honda Element if possible. It has 8 recalls, 0 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 24 — the highest in our dataset.

What is the best year Element to buy?+

The 2009 Honda Element is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 15. It has only 5 recalls and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.

Which Element has the fewest problems?+

The 2009, 2007, 2008 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 →