Honda Element Reliability Problems

Element owners have made 175 complaints over 9 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 16th in overall reliability out of 24 Honda models, with real interior and body concerns.

3 Common Honda Element Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Element owners have to deal with.

  2. TPMS Warning Light

    TPMS, or tire pressure monitoring systems, are a mildly controversial feature of some modern cars. While it's nice to have quick access to the current PSI readings of your tires from the comfort of your driver's seat, some manufacturers (he…

    Continue reading article "TPMS Warning Light"

  3. Odyssey and Element Soft Brakes

    Soft brakes are a sign of too much air buildup.Owners with this issue were likely told by mechanics that there was air in the brake system and would have recommended bleeding the brakes, until the system started to slowly let in air again.

    Continue reading article "Odyssey and Element Soft Brakes"

What Element Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Element Generations

Generations are groups of model years where few, if any, changes were made to the vehicle which means their model years tend to break in similar ways. The Element has 1 generation available in North American markets.

Element Key Numbers

  1. 175 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 226 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 24 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Recent Element News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. The 4th phase of Honda’s Takata airbag recall is set to get underway next month.

    Honda says it has made a lot of progress with existing recall repairs because plenty of replace airbag inflators are available. The 77.7 percent completion rate out of nearly 13 million recalled vehicles has allowed Honda to issue the recall now instead of waiting until December. An automaker that’s actually ahead of schedule on a recall? What world is this?…

    keep reading article "The Next Phase of Honda’s Massive Takata Recall is Ahead of Schedule"

  3. Takata's chapter 11 bankruptcy plan has been approved by a Delaware judge.

    While that means some reorganization, pay-offs for creditors, yadda yadda etc ... the dollar figure I was interested in involves how much is being set aside for injury victims.

    The action makes official the agreement that requires the airbag manufacturer to pay $850 million to help automakers cover some of the cost for airbag recalls. Another $125 million will be paid to compensate drivers injured by exploding airbags.

    The plan also includes a "channeling injunction" for future victims. Unfortunately I don't see any mention of compensation for the families of people killed by the inflators, but I'm sure we'll see future litigation in those cases.

    keep reading article "Takata's Bankruptcy Has Been Improved. What Does That Mean for Victims?"

  5. It's a new year, so we're out with the old and in with the ... ahh, crap. There's another Takata recall for Honda owners? 2018 ... 2017 ... it's all the same.

    This recall involves 717,000 vehicles which, I believe, brings the grand total of recalled vehicles to 72 quadrillion or so.

    The Takata airbag inflators are at risk of exploding due to the metal inflators that contain the explosive chemical, ammonium nitrate. The chemical can become unstable due to heat, time and moisture, something that has already killed at least 21 people worldwide, most of those deaths occurring in Honda vehicles.

    keep reading article "Honda Vehicles Need Passenger-Side Takata Replacement"

  6. Honda. Takata. Recall. Three words that I'm tired of typing and you're sick of hearing about.

    Yet here we are with another recall of 1.3 million Honda and Acura vehicles with ticking time-bombs for airbags. Many of the vehicles are being recalled for a second time.

    You probably know the script by now:

    1. Over time Takata airbag inflators are susceptible to moisture.
    2. When that moisture mixes with the airbag's propellant, the inflators become unstable and can explode sending shrapnel throughout the cabin.
    3. The problem is responsible for 11 deaths in the USA alone.

    Honda has now recalled 11.4 million vehicles for this problem. Eleven point four million! Find out if yours is on the most recent list.

    keep reading article "Yes, There's Another Honda Takata Recall"

Other Honda Models