Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2011 Honda Element with NHTSA between 2014 and 2020.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 4
Against the median year of the Honda Element. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 69
13.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 77
45% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 Honda Element
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
640.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 122,500 mi
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
213.3%
Median failure at 40,600 miles
Other & Unspecified
16.7%
Median failure at 60,200 miles
Stability & Traction Control
16.7%
Median failure at 10,000 miles
Seat Belts
16.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 165,000 mi
Wheels
16.7%
Median failure at 25,000 miles
Suspension
16.7%
Median failure at 25,000 miles
Steering
16.7%
Median failure at 170,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.7%
Median failure at 10,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
327.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
218.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
218.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
19.1%
150,000+ miles
327.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2014peak 3Dec 2020
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 Honda Element
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
EA15001Opened 24 Feb 2015Still openAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field fai...
PE14016Opened 11 Jun 2014Closed 2 Mar 2015AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field fai...
Recalls on the 2011 Honda Element
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202102412,641 units in Canada
Structure
Issue: On certain vehicles, the rear frame could rust. In extreme cases, this could result in a rear trailing arm separating from the vehicle. This recall applies to vehicles originally sold or currently registered in areas of heavy road salt usage (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador). Safety Risk: A rear trailing arm that separates could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Honda will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for an inspection of the rear trailing arm front mount bolts. If the vehicle passes the inspection, the dealer will apply corrosion protection and install support braces. Honda will offer to repurchase vehicles that do not pass the inspection. In the event the repurchase is declined by an owner, a secondary inspection and body shop repair method may be possible.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 165,000 milesMenlo Park, CACrash
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, SHE HAD NOTICED THAT AN EXTENSION LADDER AND DEBRIS HAD LANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IN ORDER TO AVOID THE OBJECTS, THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER BEHIND HER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE SAME TURN AT THE SAME TIME INTO THE RIGHT LANE WHICH CAUSED A COLLISION. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON COLLISION. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED TO RELEASE UPON DEPRESSION OF THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUTTON. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS TRAPPED IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY THE COUNTY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. BOTH DRIVERS WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE AND HAD THEIR VITALS TAKEN, NEITHER DRIVER NEEDED FURTHER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT SCENE. DUE TO THE ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE IT REMAINED UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #11377818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesMenlo Park, CACrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, SHE HAD NOTICED THAT AN EXTENSION LADDER AND DEBRIS HAD LANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IN ORDER TO AVOID THE OBJECTS, THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER BEHIND HER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE SAME TURN AT THE SAME TIME INTO THE RIGHT LANE WHICH CAUSED A COLLISION. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON COLLISION. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED TO RELEASE UPON DEPRESSION OF THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUTTON. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS TRAPPED IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY THE COUNTY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. BOTH DRIVERS WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE AND HAD THEIR VITALS TAKEN, NEITHER DRIVER NEEDED FURTHER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT SCENE. DUE TO THE ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE IT REMAINED UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #11377818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 165,000 milesMenlo Park, CACrash
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, SHE HAD NOTICED THAT AN EXTENSION LADDER AND DEBRIS HAD LANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IN ORDER TO AVOID THE OBJECTS, THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER BEHIND HER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE SAME TURN AT THE SAME TIME INTO THE RIGHT LANE WHICH CAUSED A COLLISION. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON COLLISION. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED TO RELEASE UPON DEPRESSION OF THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUTTON. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS TRAPPED IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY THE COUNTY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. BOTH DRIVERS WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE AND HAD THEIR VITALS TAKEN, NEITHER DRIVER NEEDED FURTHER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT SCENE. DUE TO THE ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE IT REMAINED UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #11377818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesMenlo Park, CACrash
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, SHE HAD NOTICED THAT AN EXTENSION LADDER AND DEBRIS HAD LANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IN ORDER TO AVOID THE OBJECTS, THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER BEHIND HER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE SAME TURN AT THE SAME TIME INTO THE RIGHT LANE WHICH CAUSED A COLLISION. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON COLLISION. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED TO RELEASE UPON DEPRESSION OF THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUTTON. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS TRAPPED IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY THE COUNTY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. BOTH DRIVERS WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE AND HAD THEIR VITALS TAKEN, NEITHER DRIVER NEEDED FURTHER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT SCENE. DUE TO THE ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE IT REMAINED UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #11377818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesCuyahogfalls, OH
STEERING
ALUMINUM STEERING WHEEL 'HUB SUPPORT MOUNTING BRACKET' HAS CRACKED AND IS BROKEN IN TWO PLACES. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER A TIME PERIOD DURING NORMAL USAGE OF MY VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL IS WOBBLEY AND LOOSENED. HONDA DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DISASSEMBLED AND REVIEWED COMPONENTS OF STEERING WHEEL AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE REMAINING TWO BRACKET SPOKES CONTINUED TO FATIGUE AND ACTUALLY BROKE, WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE, I WOULD BE HOLDING MY STEERING WHEEL IN MY HANDS AND WOULD NOT HAVE ANY STEERING CONTROL OF MY CAR. THIS IS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS. THE DEALERS SERVICEMEN TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT DRIVE THIS CAR IF IT WAS THEIR'S. I WAS GIVEN A COST ESTIMATE FOR THE PART OF $800 PLUS THE COST OF LABOR. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PART IS DEFECTIVE DUE TO IMPROPER ENGINEERING/DESIGN AND MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS PROPOSED IN THE FABRICATION OF THIS PART. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A CONSUMER SAFETY HAZARD THAT MUST BE REVIEWED BY NHTSA BEFORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11118775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesDaytona Beach, FL
WHEELS
THERE ARE TWO INDICATOR LIGHTS FOR AIR PRESSURE THAT COME ON AND STAY ON WITHOUT CAUSE (PRESSURE IS NORMAL) "TPMS" AND A SYMBOL. IT IS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS ONLINE IN GROUP DISCUSSIONS. IN ADDITION, THE SUSPENSION IS FAULTY IN THAT AN UNEXPLAINABLE "CRACKING" AND SLICKING NOISE HAS BEEN DULY DOCUMENTED AMONG OWNERS IN THE FRONT TIRES. SEVERAL HAVE REPORTED THIS WITH AN EFFECTIVE WARRANTY BUT OTHERS HAVE THE ISSUE POST-WARRANTY EXPIRATION. THIS SHOULD MANDATE A RECALL AS IT PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER AND ALL OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THE CRACKING NOISES CAN BE HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE ISTARTS MOVING FROM A STAND STILL POSITION. OWNERS OF THE ODYSSEY HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ON ONLINE FORUMS.
NHTSA complaint #11006214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesDaytona Beach, FL
SUSPENSION
THERE ARE TWO INDICATOR LIGHTS FOR AIR PRESSURE THAT COME ON AND STAY ON WITHOUT CAUSE (PRESSURE IS NORMAL) "TPMS" AND A SYMBOL. IT IS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AMONG OWNERS ONLINE IN GROUP DISCUSSIONS. IN ADDITION, THE SUSPENSION IS FAULTY IN THAT AN UNEXPLAINABLE "CRACKING" AND SLICKING NOISE HAS BEEN DULY DOCUMENTED AMONG OWNERS IN THE FRONT TIRES. SEVERAL HAVE REPORTED THIS WITH AN EFFECTIVE WARRANTY BUT OTHERS HAVE THE ISSUE POST-WARRANTY EXPIRATION. THIS SHOULD MANDATE A RECALL AS IT PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER AND ALL OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THE CRACKING NOISES CAN BE HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE ISTARTS MOVING FROM A STAND STILL POSITION. OWNERS OF THE ODYSSEY HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ON ONLINE FORUMS.
NHTSA complaint #11006214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burbank, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL MY COMPLAINT IS THAT WE RECEIVED THE LETTER FROM HONDA IN JULY 2016 ABOUT THE AIR BAG RECALL. THE LETTER ADVISES US TO AVOID HAVING A PASSENGER SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THAT IT'S NOT YET REPAIRED IS JUST AGGRAVATING. FOR SIX MONTHS, WE'VE HAD TO AVOID A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER, OR FEEL GUILTY ABOUT THEM SITTING THERE. THIS HAS CURTAILED OUR USE OF AND ENJOYMENT OF OUR VEHICLE. THE LETTER SHIFTED RESPONSIBILITY FROM TAKATA AND HONDA -- TO US, THE CAR OWNER. THIS IS NOT RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10937472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesConcord, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL: I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WOULD POSSIBLY TAKE LONGER THAN A 3 MONTH WAIT UNTIL THE REPAIR KIT EVEN ARRIVED AT THE FACILITY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY "DON'T MAKE THAT VEHICLE ANY MORE" AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE MY FAMILY OF 4 RIDE IN THE REAR SEATS FOR SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS A 4 SEAT VEHICLE. HAVE LEFT MESSAGE WITH SERVICE MANAGER AN NO RESPONSE. THIS TIME FRAME IS UNACCEPTABLE AND IF IN AN ACCIDENT, ACCORDING TO THE VIDEO ON YOUR WEBSITE, COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO MY FAMILY.
NHTSA complaint #10898282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10896532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Solana Beach, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL: REPLACED DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG 2 YRS AGO WHEN NEWS BROKE. DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE PASSENGER SIDE AS HONDA AMERICA REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT. NOW HONDA ISSUES RECALL ON PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG, STATING NO ONE SHOULD SIT IN PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL REPAIR. CALLED DEALER, HONDA AMERICA HAS NOT STOCKED PARTS. SO ESSENTIALLY THEY IGNORED DANGER TWO YEARS AGO, AND BY SAYING DON'T SIT THERE, ARE TRYING TO BLAME VEHICLE OWNERS AND DUCK LAWSUITS. AND DIDN'T STOCK ENOUGH PARTS? SOUNDS LIKE THEY WANT CARS OFF THE ROAD, DO NOT WANT TO FIX, AND ARE PUTTING PEOPLE IN DANGER.
NHTSA complaint #10887518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10652409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesDenver, CO
POWER TRAIN
REPEATEDLY SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE ICONS WILL COME ON AND THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY CLEARLY ARE GUESSING. IT HAPPENED MOST RECENTLY JUST LAST WEEK. IT USUALLY HAPPENS UPON STARTUP, BUT SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING ALSO. SOMETIMES RESTARTING THE CAR MAKES THE ICONS GO AWAY, SOMETIMES NOT.
NHTSA complaint #10610895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesDenver, CO
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
REPEATEDLY SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE ICONS WILL COME ON AND THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY CLEARLY ARE GUESSING. IT HAPPENED MOST RECENTLY JUST LAST WEEK. IT USUALLY HAPPENS UPON STARTUP, BUT SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING ALSO. SOMETIMES RESTARTING THE CAR MAKES THE ICONS GO AWAY, SOMETIMES NOT.
NHTSA complaint #10610895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 milesRunning Springs, CA
VISIBILITY
SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND IS BLOCKING VISIBILITY OF THE ROAD AHEAD. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I SEE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH SIMILAR MODELS OF HONDA. IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL FOR HONDA AS IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10608461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,200 milesFort Collins, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE DRIVER SIDE, FRONT WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED IN ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANY OBJECT STRUCK THE WINDOW. IT JUST EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #10598033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,200 milesFort Collins, CO
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE DRIVER SIDE, FRONT WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED IN ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANY OBJECT STRUCK THE WINDOW. IT JUST EXPLODED.
NHTSA complaint #10598033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.