Honda Element Problems by Year

We compared every Honda Element model year from 2003–2011 using 1,282 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 20 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2003 and 2004, which drew far more complaints than other Element years at the same age. The best years are 2011, 2009 and 2010.

9model years
1,282complaints
20recalls
2003, 2004worst years
2011, 2009best years

Complaints by model year

200320042005200620072008200920102011423281159122112113313011
Owner complaints per model year, Honda Element. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201111−84%10AirbagGood
201030−68%10AirbagGood
200931−75%8BrakeGood
2008113typical12BrakeAverage
2007112typical10AirbagAverage
2006122typical9AirbagAverage
20051591.3×7AirbagAverage
20042812.6×9Window & WiperAvoid
20034234.4×10Window & WiperAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median Element year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Honda Element problems

Latest Honda Element recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-501 · Jun 27, 2019 · 1,657,752 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-499 · Jun 27, 2019 · 3,947 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-182 · Mar 6, 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011…

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-662 · Sep 27, 2018 · 57,095 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles nationwide. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2012 Acura RL, 2011 Honda Element and 2011-2013 Ridgeline vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska,…

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V-268 · Apr 26, 2018 · 1,335 vehicles

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles.

Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018.

All 20 Honda Element recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Honda Element should you avoid?

2003 and 2004 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Element years at the same age, led by windows, wipers & sunroof problems in the 2003.

What is the best year for the Honda Element?

2011 has the fewest complaints compared with other Element years at the same age, followed by 2009 and 2010. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Honda Element problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the windows, wipers & sunroof (375), air bags (322) and suspension (117). Window & Wiper complaints peak in the 2003 model year.

How many recalls has the Honda Element had?

20 recalls across 2003–2011. The model year with the most is 2008. See all Honda Element recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.