The Honda Element lives up to the automaker’s reputation of manufacturing reliable vehicles. Although it has been discontinued, you can still find a lot of these SUVs on the used car market. If you’re planning on buying this model, it’s a good idea to read up on what other drivers have to say about this vehicle and familiarize yourself with the common issues they’ve encountered with their crossover SUV.
Are Honda Elements Reliable?
The Honda Element scored high in terms of reliability. RepairPal gave the model a reliability rating of 4.3 out of 5, ranking it 1st out of the 32 vehicles in its segment. Similarly, J.D. Power gave the 2011 Honda Element 81/100 in terms of quality and reliability. The average annual repair cost for a Honda Element is $490, which is lower than the average repair cost of $520 for compact SUVs.
Honda Element Common Problems
As reliable as it is, the Honda Element doesn’t come without flaws. Here are the most common issues across its model years:
Engine Oil Leaks
A common complaint about some 2003 to 2011 Honda Elements is an engine that leaks oil due to faulty oil pressure sensors. The issue is usually accompanied by an illuminated check engine light.
Depending on the severity of the problem, mechanics may either inspect the sensor and ensure it’s properly sealed or replace the part. If you encounter this issue, don’t worry. There are many budget-friendly yet high-quality aftermarket oil pressure sensors available on the market, so finding one for your Honda Element will surely be a breeze.
Differential Fluid Breakdown
Several owners of 2003-2010 Honda Element models have complained about groaning noises coming from their rear differential whenever they make turns. Upon investigation, they traced the issue to a differential fluid breakdown. Owners of the affected vehicles had to have their rear differential serviced to solve the problem.
Unstable Rear Tailgate
If you’re eyeing a Honda Element that rolled out between 2003 and 2010, there’s a chance that its rear hatch light may turn on unexpectedly because of a maladjusted rear tailgate. This is a common complaint from owners of these model years. Mechanics had to adjust the tailgate of the affected units to solve the issue.
Faulty Door Locks
Many 2003-2008 Honda Elements owners have complained about malfunctioning door locks. According to reports, faulty door lock tumblers usually cause this problem. To solve the issue, the door lock assemblies on the affected units had to be removed to replace the faulty tumblers.
Issues involving door locks seem to top the list of 2003 Honda Element common problems. Several owners have reported having difficulties unlocking their doors because their key won’t go in. The problem usually starts when the remote stopped working. Some drivers had to dismantle their driver-side door to retrieve their key that got stuck in the door lock.
Paint Issues
If you’re planning to buy a 2008 or 2006 Honda Element, keep an eye out for paint-related issues. Several owners have complained about car paint chipping at around 38,350 miles. Most drivers reported that the paint cracks started appearing out of nowhere.
Based on the reports that made paint issues a part of the 2006 Honda Element’s common problems, the problem is usually caused by the SUV’s clear coat layer. If your Element develops paint problems, don’t worry. You can restore your vehicle’s sleek looks by repainting it. The repair and labor cost for this type of issue will depend on the affected paint that’s affected and the severity of the damage.
Faulty Seat Belt Wire Harness
The supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning light on some 2003-2007 Honda Elements may turn on because of a faulty seat belt wiring harness. Fortunately, replacing the faulty wiring harness may easily fix this issue.
If your vehicle has an illuminated SRS warning light, don’t hesitate to take it to an auto repair shop for proper diagnosis. Besides a faulty harness, this may mean something is wrong with your vehicle’s airbag system, which is crucial in case of a collision.
Loose Gauge Needles
Several 2007 Honda Element owners have complained that their gauge needles fell off at around 80,700 miles. Some of them were driving on the freeway when their speedometer needle suddenly fell off, while others noticed the part after they hit a speed bump. Most of them had to replace the whole instrument panel to solve the problem. Repairs for this type of issue can cost up to $1,400.
Excessive Vibration When Braking
Some owners also report feeling noticeable vibrations when braking due to a fault in the brake system. In most cases, the problem is caused by warped front brake rotors. If your Honda Element develops this issue, you may need to have its rotors machined or replaced to solve the issue. Replace faulty or worn brake components immediately to ensure road safety.
Key Won’t Go Into Ignition
Aside from having faulty door locks, many 2003 models also had issues with its key. Several owners complained that their key won’t go into the ignition and had to hire a locksmith to fix the problem. Owners were usually charged $600- $700 for this type of problem.
The issues mentioned above are only some of the problems that your Honda Element may develop as it racks up mileage. But don’t worry. As long as you follow your regular maintenance schedule, you’d surely make the most out of your SUV’s service life. At the end of the day, the Honda Element is definitely a worthwhile investment.
Does Honda Still Make the Element?
Honda discontinued the Element in 2011 due to declining sales. During that year, the company only sold 11,534 units, according to Good Car Bar Car. It’s unknown why the model did poorly, but the consensus is the box-like body played a part in the underwhelming reception.
The Element also competed with the CR-V, one of the most popular SUVs at the time.
How Much Does a Used Element Cost?
While you can’t get a brand-new Element, there are used ones available on the market for an average price of around $2,900. Used Elements averages 4.5 out of 5 on 215 reviews at Edmunds, making it a reliable second-hand car.
Getting Replacement Parts for Your Honda Element
If you want to keep driving your Honda Element for a long time, you’ll have to resolve any issues as soon as they pop up. Engine oil leaks, differential fluid breakdowns, and faulty door locks can all interfere with your Element’s driveability, even with its high reliability rating. To keep your SUV in top shape, you’ll have to replace defective parts as soon as possible. Luckily, getting replacement parts for your Honda Element is fast and easy with CarParts.com.
CarParts.com offers a wide selection of oil pressure sensors, tailgates, and other Honda Element parts, all sourced from the most trusted manufacturers in the industry. Our vehicle selector and search filters also make it easy to browse our available products. Just enter your vehicle’s year, make, and model, and you’ll see all the products compatible with your ride. Thanks to our strategically located warehouses around the US, CarParts.com also guarantees fast shipping. Order by 12 p.m. ET, and you can expect your package to arrive in as fast as two business days.
Don’t wait until the worst-case scenario happens to your Honda Element before replacing defective parts. Check out our high-quality oil pressure sensors, tailgates, door locks, and other Honda Element parts at CarParts.com and order today!
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Car just stopped while driving
My 2006 element has developed a problem with engine shutdown while underway with no warning lights or hints of impending engine shutdown. Just acts like it is running out of gas. After 30 to 60 seconds the engine will restart and act normally until the next episode. Have replaced the fuel pump, the fuel, filters, and any other suspected sources of trouble to no avail. HELP .
I had a similar problem on a Saturn sedan – faulty timing sensor on the flywheel was the culprit – also had same problem on Nissan Sentra – both cars would just die and not restart until resting for a few minutes
I had the same problem with my Ford escape it was a faulty camshaft sensor.
Love my 2006 honda element, I keep it serviced so far no big problems. I’m the second and last owner of this one. Only thing tires are loud, would like to upgrade radio with screened backup cameras. Did upgrade security alarm system with viber.
I purchased 2007 Honda Element LX 5dr 2.4 lt AWD 2 years ago at a dealership off of marketplace on FB was not told about a lien, and the seller failed to disclose the REAL odometer reading which he listed as 200,000 but in reality was almost to 300,000 and having my 2 children and my mother who at the time was undergoing chemotherapy and not feeling well and driving to another state to purchase, I was a bit rushed and too trusting and failed to verify before signing and handing over 3800.00 cash, oh well live and learn, however, that is not my issue. I drove for not even one week and suddenly heard LOUD snapping sound and wasn’t able to stop, immediately pulled emergency brake. I put in neutral and coasted home, to park in my driveway til my husband could look at it. He reached under front left drivers side tire and pulled off the snapped in half cv joint or maybe he said driveshaft. Just wondering if this is a common problem if so what was the pricing to resolve, & did it cause any other issues? Any thoughts?