Honda Element years to avoid
The Honda Element years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation.
1,533
Total complaints
24
Recall campaigns
2003–2011
Years covered
9
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Element years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | High complaints + open investigation | 482 | |
| 2004 | High complaints + open investigation | 329 | |
| 2005 | Open safety investigation | 203 | |
| 2006 | Open safety investigation | 154 | |
| 2007 | Open safety investigation | 142 | |
| 2008 | Open safety investigation | 129 | |
| 2009 | Open safety investigation | 40 | |
| 2010 | Open safety investigation | 39 | |
| 2011 | Open safety investigation | 15 |
Every Element year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011avoid | 15 | 11 | |
| 2010avoid | 39 | 11 | |
| 2009avoid | 40 | 9 | |
| 2008avoid | 129 | 13 | |
| 2007avoid | 142 | 12 | |
| 2006avoid | 154 | 11 | |
| 2005avoid | 203 | 10 | |
| 2004avoid | 329 | 11 | |
| 2003avoid | 482 | 12 |
Common questions
What are the worst Honda Element years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Element years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.
How many recalls does the Honda Element have?
Across all model years, the Element has 24 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,533 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.