Every Element year from 2003 to 2011 has Takata air bag recalls, so recall counts vary little: 2008 has the most NHTSA campaigns (11) and 2005 the fewest (7). Beyond air bags, 2005–2008 automatics have a transmission software recall and 2007–2008 cars a VSA brake fix. Honda sold more than 325,000 Elements in the US.
CarWhere lists 6 documented Element issues, including 6 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source. Recall entries come from NHTSA's recall dataset on the DOT open-data portal, which may not list every campaign, so run the specific VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup.
Element problems (2003–2011)
Takata driver air bag inflator (recall 15V320 and replacement-part campaigns) (2003–2011)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Element (2003–2011)
- Years:
- 2003–2011
- Powertrain:
- 2.4L 4-cylinder
Every Element model year is in recall 15V320 (6,281,043 vehicles across Honda and Acura), which replaces dual-stage driver inflators that can rupture. Recalls 19V182 and 19V499 cover Elements that received a defective replacement driver inflator or module.
Symptoms
- No warning sign before a crash; the defect only shows when the air bag deploys
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Re-check for 19V182 and 19V499 even if the driver inflator was replaced before
NHTSA recall: 15V320 (2015-05) · 6,281,043 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [1][2][3][4][5]
Takata passenger air bag inflators (recalls 16V344, 17V029, 18V041, 18V662, 15V370) (2003–2011)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Element (2003–2011)
- Years:
- 2003–2011
- Powertrain:
- 2.4L 4-cylinder
Passenger inflator recalls were rolled out by region and year. 15V370 covers 2003 Elements built June 25, 2002 to July 31, 2003. 16V344 (1,790,894 vehicles) covers 2003–2011 Elements depending on zone; 17V029 covers 2005–2011; 18V041 and 18V662 cover 2009–2011. Replacement-part recall 19V501, early regional recalls 14V353/14V700 and install-error recall 18V268 also list the Element.
Symptoms
- No warning sign before a crash; the defect only shows when the air bag deploys
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Confirm the passenger inflator is done regardless of where the car is registered now
NHTSA recall: 16V344 (2016-05) · 1,790,894 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]
Automatic transmission bearing may break; software update (recall 11V395) (2005–2008)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Element (2003–2011)
- Years:
- 2005–2008
- Powertrain:
- 2.4L 4-cylinder, automatic
Honda recalled 1,512,107 2005–2010 Accords, 2007–2010 CR-Vs and 2005–2008 Elements because certain driving styles can break the outer race of the secondary shaft bearing. That can cause noise, a check-engine light, a short circuit that stalls the engine, or debris that jams the parking pawl so the car rolls in Park. Dealers update the transmission control software free of charge.
Symptoms
- Whine or grinding from the transmission
- Check-engine light
- Car rolls in Park
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Test that the car holds in Park on a slope
- Ask for transmission fluid service history
NHTSA recall: 11V395 (2011-08) · 1,512,107 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [15]
VSA modulator may let air into the brakes (recall 10V098) (2007–2008)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Element (2003–2011)
- Years:
- 2007–2008
- Powertrain:
- 2.4L 4-cylinder
On 2007–2008 Odysseys and Elements built July 28, 2006 to August 21, 2008 (412,000 vehicles), air can enter the VSA pump during its start-up self-check and, over months, make the brake pedal soft. Dealers bleed the system and seal the modulator free of charge.
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Check pedal firmness
NHTSA recall: 10V098 (2010-03) · 412,000 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [16]
Ignition interlock may let the key come out outside Park (recall 10V364) (2003–2004)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Element (2003–2011)
- Years:
- 2003–2004
- Powertrain:
- 2.4L 4-cylinder, automatic
The ignition switch interlock lever can deform, allowing the key out when the automatic is not in Park, so the car can roll away. The 551,498-vehicle campaign covered 2003–2004 Elements and 2003 Accords and Civics. Dealers replaced the interlock pin and lever free of charge.
Symptoms
- Key comes out with the shifter not in Park
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Try to remove the key in Drive; it should not come out
NHTSA recall: 10V364 (2010-08) · 551,498 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [17]
Build-batch recalls: rear trailing arm weld, shift cable, trailer wiring (08V349, 10V361, 12V436) (2007–2011)
Safety recall- Generation:
- Element (2003–2011)
- Years:
- 2007–2011
- Powertrain:
- 2.4L 4-cylinder
08V349 (241 2008 Elements) replaced left rear trailing arms with a bad bushing-bracket weld; owners were told to stop driving until inspected. 10V361 (585 2010 automatics built April 1 to June 25, 2010) reset a shift cable that might not engage the selected gear. 12V436 (5,216 2007–2011 Elements with the accessory trailer hitch harness) fixed swapped turn and stop wires.
Symptoms
- Clunk from the rear suspension
- Shifter position not matching gear
- Trailer turn signals only light with the brakes
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
- Test trailer lights if a hitch is fitted
NHTSA recall: 08V349 (2008-07) · 241 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [18][19][20]