What years of the Honda Element should I avoid?

2005 and 2006 rank worst, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83 respectively, both dominated by airbag complaints (48% and 45% of their complaint totals).

Which Honda Element year is the best?

No Element year earns a Good or Best verdict because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years are 2009, 2010, and 2011, each with a Caution verdict.

Does the Honda Element have airbag recalls?

Yes. Airbags are the top problem area across all years, making up 35% of the 576 total complaints, and several recall campaigns (including 19V501000, 19V499000, and 19V182000) cover airbag inflator replacement.

Is the 2011 Honda Element reliable?

2011 has the lowest complaint index (0) of any Element year and only 11 complaints, but it still carries a Caution verdict because of 10 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.

What is the most common problem on the Honda Element?

Airbags are the top problem area overall, with 200 complaints (35% share), followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires (15%) and Brakes (14%).

Honda Element Best and Worst Years (2005–2011)

Across 2005-2011, the Honda Element has 576 total complaints and 16 recall campaigns. 2005 and 2006 rank worst with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, mostly airbag issues, so they're the years to avoid; 2009-2011 are the lowest-risk years, though none earn a Good or Best verdict because of ongoing recall campaigns.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2006Lowest-risk years:Caution 2009 Caution 2010 Caution 2011

Model years: 7; 2005–2011
NHTSA complaints: 576
Recall campaigns: 16
Crashes reported: 48
Fires reported: 6
Top problem area: Airbags

Element Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Honda Element problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	100	159	13	5	7	Airbags	20.5	—
2006	Avoid	83	122	17	1	9	Airbags	20.5	—
2007	Caution	67	112	6	0	10	Airbags	20.5	—
2008	Caution	50	112	5	0	12	Brakes	20.5	—
2009	Caution	33	30	4	0	8	Brakes	20.5	—
2010	Caution	17	30	2	0	10	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	20.5	—
2011	Caution	0	11	1	0	10	Airbags	21	—

Element years to avoid: what went wrong

2005 Honda Element Index 100 · 159 complaints · 7 recalls

The 2005 Element has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and ranks worst overall. Airbags account for 48% of its complaints, with owners reporting non-deployment in crashes at a median 80,000 miles. Structure & Body and Electrical System problems followed, including a report of smoke and fire from a power window switch. Honda issued 7 recall campaigns for this year, several tied to airbag inflator replacement across multiple Honda and Acura models. The combination of high complaint volume and airbag failure reports drives its Avoid verdict.

2005 airbags problems →2005 structure & body problems →2005 electrical system problems →

2006 Honda Element Index 83 · 122 complaints · 9 recalls

The 2006 Element ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 83. Airbags made up 45% of complaints, with owners describing non-deployment in crashes at a median 76,500 miles, plus reports of seatbelts failing to lock and seats sliding forward. Structure & Body complaints followed at 17%, and Electrical System issues included a headlight wiring harness connector burning at 84,000 miles. Nine recall campaigns apply to this year, again dominated by airbag inflator replacements. High crash counts (17) alongside airbag concerns place this year in Avoid territory.

2006 airbags problems →2006 structure & body problems →

Most common Honda Element problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Airbags200 (35%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires86 (15%)
Brakes81 (14%)
Structure & Body73 (13%)
Electrical System64 (11%)
Visibility & Wipers45 (8%)
Engine42 (7%)
Other33 (6%)
Transmission & Powertrain27 (5%)
Seat Belts18 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Honda Element should I avoid?: 2005 and 2006 rank worst, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83 respectively, both dominated by airbag complaints (48% and 45% of their complaint totals).
Which Honda Element year is the best?: No Element year earns a Good or Best verdict because every model year is capped by recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years are 2009, 2010, and 2011, each with a Caution verdict.
Does the Honda Element have airbag recalls?: Yes. Airbags are the top problem area across all years, making up 35% of the 576 total complaints, and several recall campaigns (including 19V501000, 19V499000, and 19V182000) cover airbag inflator replacement.
Is the 2011 Honda Element reliable?: 2011 has the lowest complaint index (0) of any Element year and only 11 complaints, but it still carries a Caution verdict because of 10 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
What is the most common problem on the Honda Element?: Airbags are the top problem area overall, with 200 complaints (35% share), followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires (15%) and Brakes (14%).