Honda Element Complaints

1,283 consumer complaints on file.

#11774194October 28, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Component/System: Unibody frame rails and structural rocker panels have suffered severe internal interlamellar delamination, heavy corrosion, and complete metal-through structural failure. The vehicle and components are available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: Severe rust-through compromises the unibody structural integrity, creating a critical risk of frame collapse, compromised crash energy management, and loss of vehicle control during normal driving or an accident, endangering occupants and others on the road. Confirmation: Structural corrosion and metal failure have been confirmed through direct physical inspection of the undercarriage. Previous Inspections: None by manufacturer, police, or insurance. Symptoms/Warnings: No dashboard warning lamps. Physical symptoms included surface blistering, flaking, and subsequent structural metal tearing as internal rust expanded over time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769951October 8, 2026
SUSPENSION
The frame rusted and separated where the rear trail arm connects to the vehicle, so it cannot move.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767821September 29, 2026
SUSPENSION
The front bushing bracket on the left (driver's side) rear trailing arm may have an improper weld and could separate from the arm. I am noticing some rust in this area. I have rustproofed the vehicle to help prolong the life and to avoid a separated bracket which can release the lower portion of the wheel hub and damage the brake system, leading to a loss of vehicle control and an increased risk of a crash.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764818September 16, 2026
AIR BAGS
We were driving on a bumpy road and our driver side curtain airbag deployed and cracked the windshield
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761238September 1, 2026
AIR BAGS
On 8.31.26, while driving my 2005 Honda Element Mileage: Approximately 125,000), the front passenger-side airbag spontaneously deployed without warning.There was absolutely no vehicle collision, physical impact, pothole, undercarriage strike, or jarring event to trigger a deployment. Approximately 10 hours prior to the spontaneous deployment, the airbag warning light illuminated on the instrument cluster and remained solid, indicating an active system fault. The car then sat parked for about 8 hours, before driving again. The light remained on.The uncommanded deployment filled the cabin with a smell and gases while the vehicle was in motion between towns. A VIN lookup shows no currently outstanding recalls for this vehicle, indicating the failure occurred within a previously remedied issue. Remedied in 2016. The vehicle is currently grounded and parked at my residence due to safety hazards. I am requesting an investigation into this uncommanded deployment and potential SRS control module or short-circuit failure, as it poses an immediate, severe risk of driver-side deployment and physical injury. A report has been filed with honda and a case opened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755910August 10, 2026
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY, WHEELS
The car is extremely rusty, so much so that the driver side trailing arm detached from the rest of the frame. The driver side rear suspension components are detached from the car. The car has been garage-kept since new, yet is extremely rusty. This is just like what the Canadian Honda Element recall was all about. The local dealership refused to do anything and said the car was out of warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755441August 7, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving on a 65 mph highway when another vehicle forced me off the road causing my vehicle to spin out and hit a guardrail pretty much head on at about 60-65mph. Should my airbags have gone off? My safety could have been at risk because of how my vehicle went from highway speed into a guardrail, my car bounced off of the guardrail and spun so I was facing traffic coming towards me. I have sent a message to Honda asking about the airbags but I have not received a response, no the vehicle has not been inspected by anyone. I had no airbag sensors light up on my dash. I have a sensor for the passenger airbag as well which said it was off because no one was in the passenger seat. My car is totaled and the frame is bent on the driver side. When my vehicle hit the guardrail my head kept banging on the door, headrest and the beam where the two doors join. I have pretty bad whiplash and have been having some nerve issues on my left side, I am not sure if that constitutes as an injury. I have dash camera footage of me hitting the guardrail as well, my vehicle lost power once I hit it though. With the dash camera footage I do have to get permission from my attorney to release it if you need just because we are pursing the other driver for damages and injuries. I still have the vehicle on my property if it does need to be inspected. My main concern is making sure other drivers will be safe.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751415July 19, 2026
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness, Tether, Lower Anchor (on car seat or vehicle)
Chest clip won’t pull tight and tethered to pull on lower anchor malfunctions when you pull it is difficult to get tight
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749776July 11, 2026
SUSPENSION
Left rear trailing arm mount has rusted and trailing arm is not intact.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729158April 4, 2026
SUSPENSION
Rotted and rusted out trailing arms
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721613March 3, 2026
TIRES:MARKINGS, TIRES:SIDEWALL, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
"Reporting a Material Compound Failure on a set of 4 Falken Wildpeak AT Trails tires (size 215/70/16) sold as 'new' but manufactured in 2021 (DOT 3921). Despite 8/32" tread remaining (75% life), from there original 10/32'' tread the rubber is failing with severe dry rot/cracking through the sidewall and markings on all 4 tireson the outside,and inside of the tire walls. This is a safety hazard involving undisclosed 'New Old Stock' this is premature failure ,and was confirmed by Mavis Tire,and Brake center inspection that is also a Falken authorized dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714865February 1, 2026
AIR BAGS
Vehicle (2-owner, all svc records), involved in a head-on collision, with approximately 75% of impact/damage to the Driver’s front (see photos). The passenger front (25% of impact) airbag deployed, the DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG did NOT deploy. The Takata airbag recall service/replacement (see invoice) was performed by a local Honda dealership on 01/08/2018. (Factory recall: 16-047; Kit Inflator: 06999). The vehicle is in my (owner’s) private possession since the time of the incident, I have deliberately not yet had it serviced or inspected for damage/repair estimates in any way, as my priority is to FIRST go through proper, qualified channels to have it properly inspected and diagnosed in regards to the AIRBAG FAILURE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11711421January 16, 2026
SEAT BELTS
On 722 2024 dealer try to replace a defective seatbelt buckle could not do the repair could not get a replacement from Honda SRS light stays on so that if the vehicle is in an accident, the airbags will not deploy. Have been waiting on this partfor a very long time. Have no information from Honda when this will be available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710344January 12, 2026
SUSPENSION
Rear trailing arm attachment point to frame is rusting out and will cause the trailing arm to detatch from the frame. Vert little rust anywhere else on the car. This is a wide spread issue and very common with this model. Why is honda not taking this serious?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706003December 18, 2025
SUSPENSION
Honda Canada recognized the safety risks from salt damage to the frames and rear suspension of Honda Elements and recalled all years of the Element for warranty repairs, or if the damage was too severe, buy back of the vehicles. Yet they have not in the USA in rust belt states where salt damage is prevalent. As you will note from the attached photos, severe injury or death could occur in a major collision, which falls into the scope of your agency. All Elements in areas where corrosive salty and liquid brine is used are at risk, posing a significant safety hazard. Contacting local Honda dealers confirm the absence of a recall for this issue which puts motorists in this country at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704944December 14, 2025
SUSPENSION
left rear rear trailing arm rusted out. had car checked due to rough ride & was informed said part so rusted it was dangerous to drive. damage so severe repair not feasible. appears this is a problem with elements & some crvs. canada apparently has a recall for this, & US should, too.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698521November 10, 2025
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear trailing arm was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear trailing arm had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697330November 4, 2025
SUSPENSION
Please see attachment:
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694785October 21, 2025
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The trailing arm mounts are severely rotted due to rust and my mechanic has claimed that it is unsafe to drive. The element has been recalled in Canada for this same issue. It is a huge safety concern for a vehicle that is otherwise in great condition.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691611October 6, 2025
SUSPENSION
Rusting rear suspension is safety issue. Elements were already recalled in Canada but not yet in USA since not enough complaints were issued. The Element is based on the CRV which already does have a recall in USA for this issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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