Honda Element Complaints

1,283 consumer complaints on file.

#11552468October 29, 2023
SUSPENSION
I was driving and left rear trail arm connecting wheel to frame broke loose. upon inspection I noticed the frame was so rusted in that one spot causing trail arm to break loose which caused me to lose control of vehicle very dangerous!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11552502October 29, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
Same as the recalls for Honda ELEMENT of Canada and American Honda CRV of America In Honda’s words: SUMMARY: American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Honda) is recalling certain 2007-2011 model year CR-V vehicles. In salt-belt states where de-icing agents are used to maintain the roadway, the de-icing agents, along with mud and water, could enter the rear frame through drainage/positioning holes when the vehicle is driven through flooded areas or puddles at high speeds. Over time, the accumulated de-icing agents/mud/water mixture could cause corrosion to the frame's internal structure. If this occurs, the rear trailing arm can fall off. SAFETY RISK: The corrosion to the frame's internal structure can cause the rear trailing arm to fall off, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551491October 23, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear frame brace of my Honda element is rusted. Same exact situation as the recalls on 2007-2011 Honda CRV
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550777October 19, 2023
SUSPENSION
I was driving and felt something broke from the driver rear. I had a mechanic look at it and it was the trailing arm. inspector said it not safe to drive. I see there is a recall in Canada but not in America. This is a safety matter. how can we fix this since it the frame?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550530October 17, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
Brought vehicle (2007 Honda Element) to have new brakes and tires put on vehicle. Discovered rusted through rear frame. Declined to finish work of vehicle upgrades due to being unsafe to further drive vehicle. Mechanic said he didn't feel comfortable working on vehicle in the condition. Suggested taking to body shop to attempt replacing but would cost more than vehicle was worth. Suggested taking to dealer and seeing if they would offer recall since one was issued in Canada a couple years ago. He wouldn't recommend driving vehicle due to potential break and loss of control of vehicle rear control arms.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550176October 16, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
My Honda Element unibody has rusted out resulting in the real axle trailing arm separating from the vehicle. This happened while my daughter was driving - luckily she was not injured. This is a known issue at Honda. Honda Elements years 2003-2011 have already been recalled for a repair or reimbursement in Canada (see recall # 2021024) and all Honda CR-Vs in the United States model years 2007-2011 have also been recalled in the Unites States for the same issue (NHTSA # 23V-228). This issue represents an extremely hazardous risk in the Honda Elements, as well as the potential complete loss of the vehcile. The recall for the Elements should be extended to the United States immediately.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549609October 12, 2023
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2007 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the rear end of the vehicle became unstable and the rear driver's side wheel failed rendering the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to a friend's home and later examined by a local mechanic who diagnosed that the rear driver's side suspension swing arm had fractured due to severe rusting and corrosion of the vehicle's subframe. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 169,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549434October 11, 2023
STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2003 Honda Element. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the independent mechanic informed him that the trailing arm mount was corroded, and that the subframe needed to be replaced. The mechanic advised the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548446October 5, 2023
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced intermittent vibrations. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the rear control arm mounting joint. The contact was informed that the joint was almost completely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 182,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11546349September 25, 2023
SUSPENSION
The driver side rear trail arm broke free from under the vehicle. Vehicle loses control much like having flat tires but more violent fish tailing. Vehicle is hard to control to pull over to shoulder. Photos were shown to local Honda dealer representative, Scott Guyette. (Gustman Honda in Appleton Wi). Scott Guyette at the dealership stated that he has seen this numerous times on the Honda Element and they are currently fixing Honda CRVs with the same issue. Email: ([email protected]) He stated, don't tow it in, just send photos, which I did.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11545322September 19, 2023
SUSPENSION
I was driving with my family to the local fair a few miles from home. When the steering got loose around a sharp bend at 35-40 mph. I was able to keep control and slow to where I could safely look at issues. Thankfully I was going slow. The mount for the rear trailing arm pulled out of the mounting location on the driver side.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11543459September 8, 2023
SUSPENSION
We are trying to sell our 2007 Honda Element and have found there is extensive rust under the car, likely due to the NY road salt. We have older cars in the family / area without this problem. We found out Canada has issued a recall over this matter. I have lost confidence that our car is safe to drive, well before the expected end of serviceable life. Can you have Honda remedy this situation
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539053August 17, 2023
SUSPENSION, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel filler neck has rusted through. If pumping gas into the vehicle, gasoline runs onto the ground by the rear tire. The rear trailing arm of the suspension has significant rust. I am concerned this suspension part could fail and become unattached to the vehicle frame/body. The Canadian transportation board has ordered a recall to repairs these issues. from Transport Canada: Toronto, Ontario — Honda is recalling all 2003-2011 Element SUVs, warning of rusting rear frames that could result in the complete separation of the rear trailing arm.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11539013August 16, 2023
SUSPENSION
the left rear trailing arm separated from the body causing the wheel to turn outward and stop moving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538640August 15, 2023
SUSPENSION
The rear driver’s side trailing arm, which connects to the frame and body of the car, is rusted out to the point where it can no longer be driven safely. If the arm detaches from the body, it will cause an extremely dangerous situation which can even result in death. I can no longer drive this vehicle, even though the engine and transmission are strong. There is no repair for this without spending thousands of dollars to cut and repair the rusted area. This is an extremely common issue with the Honda Elements in areas that get snow. It needs to be addressed because it may cause serious harm to those are are not as familiar with the underside of their vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11538030August 11, 2023
SUSPENSION
Rear wheel suspension broke while driving. Wheel forced into wheel well. ( Rear Trailing arm Broke?)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11537675August 10, 2023
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
These cars have severe issues with their frames and they rot. There are TONS of recalls in Canada and I am wondering why the same recalls are not in the US - this is equally dangerous regardless of location - especially upstate NY where the climate is extremely similar to Canada. I have had TWO LIFE THREATENING INCIDENTS recently - one with the front axel completely breaking several months ago, and yesterday when the frame and rear axel fell apart. Fortunately both times, I was barely moving or I would likely not be here to be typing this. My frame is so rusted, it is disintegrating and beyond repair. I was advised by my local Sheriff to check on the recalls in Canada and there are so many, basically the whole frame is recalled - I am writing to report that I am in several Honda Element groups here in the US, and there are hundreds of life threatening posts in these groups regularly. This should absolutely be addressed. It is clearly a problem. As you can see in my attachments, otherwise the vehicle is in amazing condition. This is really devastating - and I have a vehicle that I cannot sell or trade-in. There is no value whatsoever and it is beyond repair.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533729July 21, 2023
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2008 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear driver's side trailing arm fractured without warning. The contact was able to veer the vehicle off the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear driver's side trailing arm was rusted and needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527326June 16, 2023
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2006 Honda Element. The contact stated that while HIS son was driving approximately 55 MPH, the driver heard a loud clunking sound, and the rear of the vehicle suddenly became unstable. The driver stopped and inspected the vehicle, and it was discovered that the driver’s side rear wheel was turned outward, and the rear driver’s side trailing arm had detached from the frame of the vehicle due to severe rust. The vehicle was later towed to a welding shop. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 123,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527146June 15, 2023
POWER TRAIN
i have had real trouble recently getting my key out of the ignition switch - one time it took me 10 minutes, even tho i had the wheels totally straight & i kept turning engine off & back on many times. (this has happened many times over the past half year or so & occasionally before that) this is already a recall for vehicles of my year or element, but for some reason mine wasn't included & it definitely should have been! nhtsa campaign id: 10v361000
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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