Honda

Element

Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD · model years 2003 to 2011

Includes Element 2WD and Element 4WD as listed by the EPA.

See all 35 Element trims All Honda cars

The verdict

Best year: 2009. complaints: 31, below this model's typical 113; recalls: 8, below this model's typical 10.

Worst year: 2003. complaints: 423, about 3.7x this model's typical 113; recalls: 10, in line with this model's typical 10.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Honda Element
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
2003	4Gas	20.5	no data	$3,025	10	423	0	no data	VISIBILITY 47%, AIR BAGS 10%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%
complaints: 423, about 3.7x this model's typical 113 recalls: 10, in line with this model's typical 10 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 23 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 15 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	4Gas	20.5	no data	$3,025	9	281	0	no data	VISIBILITY 32%, AIR BAGS 22%, SEATS 8%
complaints: 281, about 2.5x this model's typical 113 recalls: 9, below this model's typical 10 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 19 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 16 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	4Gas	20.5	no data	$3,025	7	159	0	no data	AIR BAGS 38%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%, SUSPENSION 7%
complaints: 159, above this model's typical 113 recalls: 7, below this model's typical 10 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 19 complaints reporting a fire: 5 Score: 46 of 100, where higher is better.
2006	4Gas	20.5	no data	$3,025	9	122	0	no data	AIR BAGS 36%, VISIBILITY 8%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%
complaints: 122, above this model's typical 113 recalls: 9, below this model's typical 10 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 16 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 54 of 100, where higher is better.
2007	4Gas	20.5	no data	$3,025	10	112	0	no data	AIR BAGS 19%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, SUSPENSION 10%
complaints: 112, below this model's typical 113 recalls: 10, in line with this model's typical 10 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 Score: 64 of 100, where higher is better.
2008	4Gas	20.5	no data	$3,025	12	113	0	no data	AIR BAGS 18%, SUSPENSION 18%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 18%
complaints: 113, in line with this model's typical 113 recalls: 12, above this model's typical 10 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 64 of 100, where higher is better.
2009	4Gas	20.5	no data	$3,025	8	31	0	no data	SUSPENSION 20%, AIR BAGS 12%, SERVICE BRAKES 12%
complaints: 31, below this model's typical 113 recalls: 8, below this model's typical 10 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 81 of 100, where higher is better.
2010	4Gas	20.5	166	$3,025	10	30	3 (2 open)	30	AIR BAGS 18%, SUSPENSION 15%, SERVICE BRAKES 10%
complaints: 30, below this model's typical 113 recalls: 10, in line with this model's typical 10 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 open NHTSA investigations: 2 Score: 60 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.5 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2011	3Gas	21	166	$2,950	10	11	3 (2 open)	25	AIR BAGS 40%, VISIBILITY 13%, POWER TRAIN 7%
complaints: 11, below this model's typical 85 recalls: 10, in line with this model's typical 10 open NHTSA investigations: 2 Score: 67 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.6 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2003: 20.5 to 2011: 21

Owner complaints2003: 423 to 2011: 11

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Honda Element to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.