2011 Element
1st generation
Excellent
No problem comes up twice in the 11 complaints about the 2011.
- Per 10k cars
- 5.2
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 10
Honda Element Reliability Rankings: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026
According to our reliability score system, the best Honda Element year to buy is the 2011, at 88 out of 100.
No Element year rates Avoid, but the 2003 and 2004 need a careful look. Owners of the 2003 and 2004 most often report the windshield, mostly shattering or cracking.
Of all the Element years, the 2005 to 2011 rate Good or Excellent. Watch out for the 2003 and 2004.
69
Caution
Model score, all years
9
Model years tracked
1,282
Owner complaints
20
Recalls, all years
Excellent 80+Good 70–79Caution 60–69Avoid under 60 Provisional, with 80% range 70 = average for a car of the same age
Best Years to Buy a Honda Element
The 2011 is the only Element year rated Excellent, with a score of 88.
88
Also rated Good: 2005–2010.
Honda Element Years to Avoid
No Element year rates Avoid. These two rate Caution, the lowest scores of all Element years.
2003 Element
1st generation
Caution
Most reported problems
- Windshield: shattering or cracking51%
- Door latches: not opening or unlocking10%
- Ignition or push-button start: the car not starting4%
- Frame or structure: rust or corrosion4%
- Frontal airbags: no deployment in a crash3%
- Airbag warning light3%
- Per 10k cars
- 52.3
- Complaints
- 423
- Recalls
- 10
Honda extended the warranty on some 2003 Elements for a problem with the airbags.
Full 2003 report →2004 Element
1st generation
Caution
Most reported problems
- Windshield: shattering or cracking35%
- Seats: parts breaking or coming apart10%
- Airbag warning light8%
- Frame or structure: rust or corrosion5%
- Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash4%
- Seat belts failure4%
- Per 10k cars
- 46.6
- Complaints
- 281
- Recalls
- 9
Honda Element Reliability by Year
All model years, newest first. Tap a year for its full report, with the problems owners report, recalls, Honda programs and crash ratings.
| Year | Generation | Rating | Score | Vs average | Complaints | Per 10k cars | Recalls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1st generation | Excellent | 88 | 0.17× | 11 | 5.2 | 10 | Report |
| 2010 | 1st generation | Good | 79 | 0.40× | 30 | 13.9 | 10 | Report |
| 2009 | 1st generation | Good | 72 | 0.72× | 31 | 24.3 | 8 | Report |
| 2008 | 1st generation | Good | 75 | 0.53× | 113 | 22.6 | 12 | Report |
| 2007 | 1st generation | Good | 72 | 0.67× | 112 | 27.6 | 10 | Report |
| 2006 | 1st generation | Good | 70 | 0.83× | 122 | 24.8 | 9 | Report |
| 2005 | 1st generation | Good | 70 | 0.90× | 159 | 26.5 | 7 | Report |
| 2004 | 1st generation | Caution | 67 | 1.1× | 281 | 46.6 | 9 | Report |
| 2003 | 1st generation | Caution | 66 | 1.2× | 423 | 52.3 | 10 | Report |
Vs average: how this year's complaint rate compares with the average car of the same age. 1× is average, 2× is twice as many. Per 10k cars: complaints so far for every 10,000 cars Honda made for the U.S. that model year. The complaint count also includes owners who wrote in only about a recall notice, with no problem to report. The score leaves those out. Generations follow Honda's own model history.
How We Score Each Model Year
1
Count What Owners Report
Every complaint filed with NHTSA for the model year, plus its recalls. Recall-notice filings with no fault are left out.
2
Adjust for How Many Were Made
A popular car gets more complaints just because there are more of them. We divide by the number Honda made for that model year and compare with the average car of the same age.
3
Turn It Into a Score
70 is average. Twice the average rate of complaints costs 10 points, half the rate adds 10. Serious problems count more than everyday ones.
What to Do Next
Check a Model Year →Open the full report for one year: score, the problems owners report, recalls, coverage and crash ratings.Compare Element Years →Put up to four model years side by side and see which one is more reliable.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs the automaker may still pay for after the factory warranty ends, with its own documents.Look Up a VIN →Confirm the exact model year, engine and trim of the car you are looking at.