Total Complaints
15 filings
HONDA ELEMENT · model year
15 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 11 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2011HONDAELEMENT carries 15 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 3/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 ELEMENT is air bags with 6 filings, followed by unknown or other (1) and visibility:glass, side/rear (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 11 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2011 ELEMENT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
15 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 6 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | 1 |
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acur
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles nationwide. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2012 Acura RL, 2011 Honda Element and 2011-2013 Ridgeline vehicles in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mary
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. The
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, Calif
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, i
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura RL, 2010 Honda Element, and 2010-2013 Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the N
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Element passenger vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. The wire that supplies power to the trailer turn signal lights was inadvertently switched with the stop lamp wire. As a result the turn signals only illuminat
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
Mileage: 165,000
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
Mileage: 165,000
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 INJ
Mileage: 170,000
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.
Mileage: 25,000
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.
Mileage: 25,000
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. *TR
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.
Mileage: 80,000
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.
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.
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.
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. *TR
Mileage: 10,000
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. *TR
Mileage: 10,000
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. *JS
Mileage: 21,000
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. *JS
Mileage: 60,200
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. *JS
Mileage: 60,200
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.