Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Heavy snow conditions (ct feb. 6, 2015) car transmission light appeared, pulled over, read manual which instructed driver to proceed moderately, without rapid acceleration, to either a service garage or safe place. Drove home (4.5 miles) but drive is steep. Some wheel slippage then car stalled and would not start. Towed February 6 to champagne motors of mansfield, ct. Researched problem on line and discovered a recall for TCM that was not performed on car. Champagne could not do repairs and car ended up at Honda of manchester,ct. After 4 weeks called Honda to mention the recall (NHTSA # 11v-395) and service clerk said their repairs had nothing to do with the problem unless I was shifting from d-n-r to rock the car in snow. I said I was in drive up a hill, slipped, shifted to n then r to back up, then d, and it failed. …
Tl - the contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. She stated after parking her vehicle when she gets out of the vehicle and reach for the door she gets shocked. She stated this happens all the time. The vehicle has never been taken to the dealer. The contact stated this has been going on since she purchased the vehicle. The failure mileage was 12 and the current mileage was 18,297. Vwb
The contact owns a 2007 Honda Element. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V436000 (Electrical System, Trailer Hitches) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The contact was advised by the local dealer that the vehicle was not eligible for recall repairs due to the title being salvaged and that the part was not an attachment for the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues.
Speedometer needle has dropped over the last 2 weeks . No longer can tell how fast I am going. 2007 Element 4wd ' from VIN 5j6yh2...7l000033 thru 5j6yh2...7l014108 sample letter: December 2007 product update: instrument panel gauge needles read inaccurately or fall off dear Element owner: this letter is to notify you of a potential problem with your vehicle and what you should do to resolve it. What is the problem? The needles in the instrument panel gauges May read inaccurately of fall off. The gauges that can be affected include the speedometer, the tachometer, the fuel, and the coolant temperature. What should you do? Contact any authorized Honda dealer for an appointment to have your vehicle updated. The dealer will replace the instrument panel, transferring the odometer and maintenance minder data from the original instrument panel to the new one. …
I hit a deer last December and the only reason the insurance company did not total it was because the air bags did not deploy. There was just about $10,000 worth of damage to my car. After waiting a month and a half, traveling 18 hours & spending an extra $200 for travel to go get my car I finally got it back. Also, my car does not idle like it should. It will also go dead when I come to a stop. It doesn't happen all the time but it will happen in the middle of traffic and I will be stuck there for a few minutes.
2006 Honda Element approx 114,000 miles. Vehicle low beams both stop working simultaneously while vehicle is in motion at various speeds increasing likelihood of crash. This is recurrent issue with this model and other Honda models including pilot and fit. Issue relates to burning contact in wiring harness. This is clearly a defect in manufacturing/ design that puts drivers and other motorists at risk of accident.
Vtec oil pressure switch low voltage threw a code so I replaced entire mechanism, I don't know the name buy removed wire snaps and three bolts and replaced with brand new, and reattached. Unplugged battery till all reserve was gone. Plugged back up [battery] drove, but still as I hit 3000 rpm and vtec turns on shoots check engine light and vehicle jukes. I have already changed oil, made sure proper level proper weight had flushed as to clean out any debris. Made sure all connections were tight, but nothing fixes problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. While the vehicle was stationary, flames appeared from the dashboard. A fire report was filed. The local fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot. The fire investigator and insurance company stated that it was an electrical fire. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system › Wiring
Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Element passenger vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. The wire that supplies power to the trailer turn signal lights was inadvertently switched with the stop lamp wire.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on September 20, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Electrical system › Ignition
Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 Honda accord, civic two and four door, and model year 2003-2004 Honda element vehicles. The interlock lever of the ignition switch May unexpectedly deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
Remedy: Dealers will remove the original interlock pin and lever within the ignition switch, and replace them with new, designed components. This service will be performed free of charge.
NHTSA investigations
Ignition Shift Interlock
On August 4, 2010, American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a ignition interlock defect in approximately 384,220 model year (MY) 2003 Honda Accord and Civic and MY 2003 and 2004 Honda Element vehicles with automatic transmissions (Recall 10V-364).In a September 22, 2010 supplemental DIR, Honda expanded the scope of the recall population based on manufacturing…
Frequently asked questions
Which Honda Element years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (35), 2007 (22), 2004 (18), 2005 (16) and 2006 (11) model years. Electrical complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Honda Element electrical problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 12V-436 (wiring, Sep 5, 2012); 10V-364 (ignition, Aug 5, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Honda Element electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (9 mentions), followed by the horn (8).
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.