What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2005 Honda Element

Typical pattern

6.4% of complaints about the 2005 Honda Element came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2005 vehicle — around the middle of the 245 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 9.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (78 complaints), typically at 8.6 yr or about 80,000 miles.

Complaints
202
Median age at failure
9.3 yr
Median mileage
80,000 n=142
Crash / fire / tow
17.8% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
78 reports · 80,000 mi
8.6 yr
28.2%
Electrical system
16 reports · 80,962 mi
9.5 yr
31.2%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

19V501000 2019-06-27
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.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

19V499000 2019-06-27
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.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

19V182000 2019-03-06
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 containi

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.

17V029000 2017-01-10
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain 2005-2006

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

16V344000 2016-05-23
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Ac

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

15V320000 2015-05-28
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

11V395000 2011-08-04
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 ACCORD, 2007-2010 CR-V, AND 2005-2008 ELEMENT PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2004, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3, 2010. THE OUTER RACE OF THE SECONDARY SHAFT BEARING MAY BE BROKEN DURING CERTAIN DRIVING STYLES. A BROKEN OUTER RACE MAY CAUSE ABNORMAL NOISE, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT TO TURN ON, AND ALLOW CONTACT BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION IDLE GEAR AND AN ELECTRONIC SENSOR HOUSING WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION.

THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. ADDITIONALLY, BROKEN PIECES OF THE OUTER RACE OR BALL BEARING FROM THE SECONDARY SHAFT MAY BECOME LODGED IN THE PARKING PAWL RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AFTER THE DRIVER HAS PLACED THE GEAR SELECTOR IN THE PARK POSITION. ENGINE STALL AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY TO PERSONS W

09E025000 2009-05-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

05E035000 2005-05-16
Equipment

CERTAIN HONDA ACCESSORY TRAILER HARNESS KIT, P/N 08L91-SCV-102, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 24 AND DECEMBER 18, 2004, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 20, 2004, AND APRIL 29, 2005. THE WIRE HARNESS OF THE TRAILER HITCH KIT HAS AN INCORRECTLY WIRED CONNECTOR. AS A RESULT, THE TRAILER BRAKE LAMPS AND TURN SIGNAL LAMPS COULD OPERATE INCORRECTLY, OR A FUSE COULD BLOW CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKE AND TURN SIGNAL LAMP FUNCTION.

IMPROPER SIGNALING OR A LOSS OF TRAILER WARNING LAMP FUNCTION WITHOUT WARNING COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 7,470 mi 2.3 yr in service
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE BATTERY WAS RECHARGED, AND AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
Electrical system 44,050 mi 3.6 yr in service
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT HER HORN WAS NO LONGER WORKING. SHE HAS SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,050. UPDATED 6/2/08 *CN THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE HORN WAS NOT WORKING BECAUSE OF A MINOR FENDER BENDER SHE HAD 2 MONTHS PRIOR. UPDATED 06/02/08
Electrical system 55,000 mi 4.2 yr in service
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE ODOMETER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE DISTANCE THAT WAS TRAVELED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Air bags 13,000 mi 1.4 yr in service crash / fire / tow
I WAS DRIVING MY HONDA ELEMENT DOWN A FAIRLY BUSY STREET AT 45 MILES AN HOUR. A MAN PULLED OUT OF A STRIP MALL PARKING LOT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. ALTHOUGH I HONKED MY HORN AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, I COULD NOT AVOID HITTING HIM. MY CAR HAS EXTREME FRONT END DAMAGE AND IT WAS A HIGH IMPACT CRASH, HOWEVER THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR IF IT WILL BE DETERMINED TO BE TOTALED, BUT IF IT ISN'T, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR IN THE FUTURE. *JB

Other Element model years

200820072006200520042003

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