Best and worst Honda Element years — which to avoid

Honda Element is one of those vehicles that don’t look as appealing as they are comfortable and reliable, but even as such, some model years didn’t go so well reliability-wise. While buying one can be a perfect option for a compact vehicle with raised clearance, it’s essential to know about the best Honda Element years to buy and the worst Honda Element years to avoid.

Our team will help you with necessary buying advice as we examine and rank the Honda Element years by reliability and associated problems. Not only will we go through the NHTSA logs and records of complaints, but we’ll also dedicate some time to driver reviews and first-hand experiences to help you figure it out.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Honda Element years

Buying a car like the Honda Element is a big choice, and we completely understand your concerns when it comes to finding trustworthy sources. Don’t worry, though, as our team mostly used information from sites like NHTSA and IIHS to get proven data on driver complaints, reviews of the model by year, and its overall reliability and safety ratings.

We also had to go through official recalls of the model to help you understand which problems were so persistent that even the manufacturer had to react by issuing those. Finally, we had our last piece of the puzzle as we explored driver reviews and ratings of the model to see what they thought about it, and here’s what we were left with after our research:

Most common Honda Element problems

There are a few common issues with these models, but one of the most persistent ones that stuck with the car during most production years is an airbag fault. The problem has been noted by Honda and there were several recalls over the years to fix the faulty inflator bags, with the most recent one being in 2019.

1. Variable timing control solenoid failure

One of the main mechanical issues with the Honda Element was a variable timing control solenoid failure which caused major oil leaks in most cases. It was usually a fault of a leaking gasket and the only solution was to replace the faulty solenoid in the car.

However, mechanics needed to fully drain the existing oil and replenish the engine oil level before starting the engine again. It’s because this issue caused dirty oil and oil dilution problems, and the problem wasn’t solved by simply changing the solenoid.

A faulty solenoid also frequently caused error codes suggesting low engine oil pressure, while it was a matter of a damaged solenoid.

2. Ignition switch problems

A major issue that had a lot to do with starting the car was the ignition switch problem. Many Honda Element owners have complained about how their car sometimes starts and sometimes doesn’t and it’s mostly due to an ignition switch failure.

One common symptom of this issue is if you see a green key-shaped light flashing on the board. The only solution for this problem is to get a replacement ignition switch and have it reprogrammed in a Honda dealership. The ignition switch issue has been present for most Honda Element model years, so it’s something you should pay attention to when buying this car.

3. Airbag problem

Now we come to an issue that’s potentially dangerous and directly affects your driving safety – the faulty airbag system. It’s one of the most frequent complaints for the Honda Element, and it’s not just this model, but also a problem of other Honda models of that period.

Faulty inflator bags could suffer from too much built-up pressure and this could cause an explosive condition that is harmful to the driver and the passenger. There’s also the problem of inflator bags rupturing due to moisture building up, and there were numerous recalls to deal with this problem over the years.

The least you can do when buying a used Honda Element is to check if that particular vehicle has been recalled in 2011 and if the airbags have been fixed.

4. Driveshaft issues

Last but not least important is dealing with the driveshaft issues for Honda Element vehicles. The driveshaft issue caused a wobbly and shaking sensation within the cabin, and the whole car ended up shaking. It’s due to a broken driveshaft carrier bearing.

It causes a slipped joint, as well as the two U-joints at the back and it all resulted in excessive driving vibrations and shaking. There’s also the problem of bad CV joints for this model, and while it’s not the same as a driveshaft issue, it also triggers some vibrations and shaking noises, especially during acceleration.

Worst Honda Element years to avoid

Honda Element never got renewed for the second generation, and it was in production from 2003 to 2011. Based on the mentioned problems, some model years are best to avoid, especially those with excessive oil leaks from the VTC solenoid, but what are the worst Honda Element years?

The worst Honda Element years are 2003 and 2004, but here’s a complete brief:

• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2006

It’s also worth noting that the 2003 Honda Element model in particular had the most complaints about the key not sending the signal to the ignition switch. Overall, these are the model years you’ll want to avoid when buying a used Element and we’ll discuss them a bit furhter below:

First-generation Honda Element (2003-2006 model years)

According to the reports of Honda Element drivers provided to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the model year with the most complaints was the 2003 Honda Element. It has numerous reports of the ignition switch malfunctioning, as well as airbag system issues that affected driving safety.

That model year also had a few problems with the 4-speed automatic transmission which later got replaced with a more reliable 5-speed automatic. On top of it, some drivers have reported electrical issues and wiring problems, so the best choice is to leave this model out of your consideration.

Things got a bit better for the 2004 production year, although the car still had some prominent issues. The problems were more or less the same, with airbag system recalls and a few electrical issues, but much fewer reported engine and transmission faults.

However, that got changed for the 2007 model year with a revised 2.4-liter engine that now had 166 horsepower. While it did get a bit more power, the VTCS problems started occurring more rapidly. That’s why it’s best to avoid this model as well, although it received far less reliability complaints compared with previous model years.

What are the best Honda Element years to buy?

Things aren’t looking as bad as they might seem for Honda Element based on mentioned difficulties that drivers have faced. Several model years received minimum driver complaints and are considered to be a safe option without many oil leaks and airbag problems. With that said, these are the best Honda Element model years:

• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2011

The model year that received the least complaints from drivers was by far the 2011 model year, at least according to NHTSA reports, so we’ll discuss that one further to explain why it’s the best bargain on the market for this model.

2011 Honda Element

The 2011 model is not only the best Element in terms of driver ratings and reviews, but also due to its low number of reported complaints. To be precise, it only recevied less than 50 complaints ever issued to NHTSA, and these can simply be atributed to vehicle’s bad maintenance with specific owners and not something systematic for all the 2011 models.

With an excellent reliability score and exceptional engine options that proved to last more than 200,000 miles in some cases, the 2011 Honda Element is not only reliable, but also an affordable recommendation.

Is the Honda Element worth buying?

As the time comes to sum it all up, it seems that Honda Element is a rather trustworthy compact SUV. The interior space has been used in the best possible way, so this vehicle makes a great recreational and family ride.

The only prominent problems included airbag and oil leak issues since the ignition switch could be replaced for as little as $50, and driveshaft issues were easily resolved by replacing the bearings and bad joints. The only problem with this is that sometimes the car needed a complete driveshaft replacement since U-joints couldn’t have been replaced on their own. Still, it’s a rather solid and reliable car with a low account of engine and transmission troubles.

Choosing the right model year is crucial as some years may offer a better ownership experience than others, whether due to reliability, available features, or overall performance. Our articles like Kia Soul years to avoid, Scion xB years to avoid, aim to shed light on the years that might be best avoided, pulling from reliability scores, owner feedback, and specific recall records.