Honda Element problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every Element from 2003 to 2011: 1,282 owner complaints and 85 recalls across 9 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2003 (423), 2004 (281), 2005 (159). Best fuel economy: 22 mpg combined (2011).
Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 10 | 423 | 21 | |
| 2004 | 9 | 281 | 21 | |
| 2005 | 7 | 159 | 21 | |
| 2006 | 9 | 122 | 21 | |
| 2007 | 10 | 112 | 22 | |
| 2008 | 12 | 113 | 22 | |
| 2009 | 8 | 31 | 22 | |
| 2010 | 10 | 30 | 22 | |
| 2011 | 10 | 11 | 22 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Honda Element.
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the Honda Element?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2003 (423), 2004 (281), 2005 (159).
How many recalls has the Honda Element had?
Across 2003–2011, NHTSA lists 85 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).