2009 Honda Element Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Honda Element has a complaint index of 33, ranking 5th worst out of 7 model years, with 30 complaints and 8 recall campaigns. Its verdict is Caution, capped because of the 8 dealer-visit recall campaigns rather than complaint volume alone.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #5 of 7 Element years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 30
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 8
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20.5
- 18.5 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2009 Honda Element problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes9 (30%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (23%)
- Airbags5 (17%)
- Structure & Body5 (17%)
- Engine4 (13%)
- Steering3 (10%)
- Electrical System1 (3%)
- Fuel System1 (3%)
- Other1 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes can go soft or sink close to the floor, sometimes reaching the gas pedal, with one case tied to a brake failure and crash under 2,000 miles.
- Airbags have deployed with enough force to eject metal fragments during crashes, in some cases causing additional injury.
- Steering wheel shakes excessively at highway speeds, particularly around 65 mph, easing somewhat on rough pavement.
- The gas gauge needle and tachometer have failed simultaneously, with the gauge needle popping loose after cold weather.
- Engine-related complaints include an air conditioning condenser failing after winter and being ruled out of warranty coverage.
2009 Honda Element recalls
8 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V501000Jun 27, 2019Airbags1,657,752 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Honda's numbers for this recall are E5D and X5C.
- NHTSA 19V499000Jun 27, 2019Airbags3,947 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.
- NHTSA 19V182000Mar 6, 2019Airbags1,101,534 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part. Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver frontal air bag, these inflators may explode.
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Acura's number for this recall is U40.
2009 Honda Element fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,175
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other Element years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Honda Element reliable?
- It ranks 5th worst out of 7 Element model years based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 33 and 30 complaints. The verdict is Caution.
- What is the top problem area for the 2009 Honda Element?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 9 of 30 complaints (30%), with a median failure mileage of 31,000 miles.
- Does the 2009 Honda Element have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2009 Element, most involving airbag inflator replacement, plus one for a trailer hitch wiring harness.
- Why is the 2009 Element rated Caution instead of based on complaints alone?
- Its verdict is capped to Caution because of 8 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, even though its complaint index of 33 is relatively low.
- How does the 2009 Element compare to the 2005 Element?
- The 2005 Element has a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, far higher than the 2009 model's complaint index of 33 and Caution verdict.