NHTSA Data Explorer

Honda Element

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Honda Element.

Complaints

1,274

Active records

Recalls

24

Active records

TSBs

231

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

0

Injuries

92

Crashes

91

Fires

13

Top reported issues — Honda Element

Click a category to expand its values.

Condition issue

677

Safety restraint issue

274

Operating state

171

Safety restraint behavior

152

Reporting mechanism

111

Braking behavior

81

Access/entry issue

73

Noise

47

Engine behavior

33

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

27

Lighting behavior

25

Vibration/harshness

22

Thermal issue

21

Driver assistance issue

15

Steering behavior

15

Recent change

14

Fluid issue

13

Performance issue

12

Starting behavior

12

Electrical issue

10

Ride/handling behavior

10

HVAC behavior

7

Powering on/off behavior

3

Infotainment behavior

2

Smell

2

Charging behavior

1

Electrified system issue

1

Wiper/washer behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2008 HONDA ELEMENT

Filed Apr 4, 2026


Rotted and rusted out trailing arms

2005 HONDA ELEMENT

Filed Mar 3, 2026


Reporting a Material Compound Failure on a set of 4 Falken Wildpeak AT Trails tires (size 215/70/16) sold as 'new' but manufactured in 2021 (DOT 3921). Despite 8/32 tread remaining (75% life), from there original 10/32'' tread the rubber is failing with severe dry rot/cracking through the sidewall and markings on all 4 tireson the outside,and inside of the tire walls. This is a safety hazard involving undisclosed 'New Old Stock' this is premature failure ,and was confirmed by Mavis Tire,and…

2006 HONDA ELEMENT

Filed Feb 1, 2026


1 injured
Crash

Vehicle (2-owner, all svc records), involved in a head-on collision, with approximately 75% of impact/damage to the Driver’s front (see photos). The passenger front (25% of impact) airbag deployed, the DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG did NOT deploy. The Takata airbag recall service/replacement (see invoice) was performed by a local Honda dealership on 01/08/2018. (Factory recall: 16-047; Kit Inflator: 06999). The vehicle is in my (owner’s) private possession since the time of the incident, I have…

2004 HONDA ELEMENT

Filed Jan 16, 2026


On 722 2024 dealer try to replace a defective seatbelt buckle could not do the repair could not get a replacement from Honda SRS light stays on so that if the vehicle is in an accident, the airbags will not deploy. Have been waiting on this partfor a very long time. Have no information from Honda when this will be available.

2010 HONDA ELEMENT

Filed Jan 12, 2026


Rear trailing arm attachment point to frame is rusting out and will cause the trailing arm to detatch from the frame. Vert little rust anywhere else on the car. This is a wide spread issue and very common with this model. Why is honda not taking this serious?

2006 HONDA ELEMENT

Filed Dec 18, 2025


Honda Canada recognized the safety risks from salt damage to the frames and rear suspension of Honda Elements and recalled all years of the Element for warranty repairs, or if the damage was too severe, buy back of the vehicles. Yet they have not in the USA in rust belt states where salt damage is prevalent. As you will note from the attached photos, severe injury or death could occur in a major collision, which falls into the scope of your agency. All Elements in areas where corrosive salty…

2006 HONDA ELEMENT

Filed Dec 14, 2025


left rear rear trailing arm rusted out. had car checked due to rough ride & was informed said part so rusted it was dangerous to drive. damage so severe repair not feasible. appears this is a problem with elements & some crvs. canada apparently has a recall for this, & US should, too.

2003 HONDA ELEMENT

Filed Nov 10, 2025


The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear trailing arm was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear trailing arm had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was…

2003 HONDA ELEMENT

Filed Nov 4, 2025


Please see attachment:

2006 HONDA ELEMENT

Filed Oct 21, 2025


The trailing arm mounts are severely rotted due to rust and my mechanic has claimed that it is unsafe to drive. The element has been recalled in Canada for this same issue. It is a huge safety concern for a vehicle that is otherwise in great condition.

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.