2005 Honda Element Reliability Report

NHTSA data as of Oct 15, 2026Published Oct 23, 2026

Good

Ranks 7th of 9 Element years we score.

Owner complaints: 159; 20 are recall notices
Per 10,000 cars: 26.5; 52,459 made for the U.S.
Vs the average car: 0.90×; same age, 1× is average
Serious outcomes: 61; crash, fire, injury, stall or tow
Recalls: 7
NHTSA crash rating: Not rated; no overall rating before 2011

← 2004 Element 2006 Element →

Should You Buy the 2005 Honda Element?

Yes, with the usual checks. Our reliability score for the 2005 Honda Element is 70 out of 100, which rates Good. Owners reported about as many problems as for the average car of the same age. It ranks 7th of the 9 Element years we score.

The most reported problem is frontal airbags, mostly deployment with no crash (21 of 159 complaints). Owners also complain about side or curtain airbags and airbag warning lights. 61 of the 159 complaints describe a serious outcome, such as a crash, a fire, an injury or stalling while driving.

It has 7 recalls. For comparison, the 2004 scores 67 and the 2006 scores 70.

Before you buy, check that the recalls were done and get an independent inspection. The full checklist is at the end of this page.

Pros

Good reliability score of 70
No do-not-drive or park-outside recalls

Cons

Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash21 complaints
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash21 complaints
Airbag warning light12 complaints

How the 2005 Element Earned Its Score

Every model year starts at 100. Each part takes points away when this year has more problems than the average car of the same age. How we score

Score breakdown
Item	Vs average	Points lost
Starting score		100
Serious problems61 complaints · average car: about 64	0.95×	−16
Everyday problems78 complaints · average car: about 102	0.77×	−6
Problems in the last two years2 complaints · average car: about 0.7	Not counted	–
Recalls7 recalls · average car: about 3.2	1.7×	−8
Score		70

The last two years are not counted for the 2005 Element. Honda made 52,459 of them, and at this age an average car made in that number would get only about 1.3 complaints of any kind in two years. We need at least 5 to compare, so we leave this part out. Its 30% goes to serious and everyday problems instead, so they make up 80% of the score rather than 50%.

Each part shows two counts: this year's so far, and what an average car would have at the same age. For complaints, that average car was made in the same number as this one. “Vs average” compares the two counts, but in our scoring system we first add a little to both, so a few complaints cannot swing the result. That is why it is not simply one count divided by the other. The last two years count only complaints about five systems: the engine and fuel system, transmission, brakes, steering, and airbags and seat belts.

What Owners Report

We read all 159 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Honda Element, one by one, and grouped them by the problem they describe. The most reported problems come first.

Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash
21 complaints (13%)
Deployment with no crash, no deployment in a crash and deployment injury. 7 of these 21 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 77,000 miles.
Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
21 complaints (13%)
Deployment with no crash, no deployment in a crash and incomplete deployment. 10 of these 21 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often an airbag problem. Median mileage when it started: about 76,000 miles.
Airbag warning light
12 complaints (8%)
Warning lights and a feature that stopped working. Median mileage when it started: about 44,000 miles.
Frame or structure: rust or corrosion
10 complaints (6%)
Rust or corrosion. 6 of these 10 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control.
Windshield: shattering or cracking
10 complaints (6%)
Shattering or cracking. Median mileage when it started: about 9,000 miles.
Seats: loose
9 complaints (6%)
Loose, parts breaking or coming apart and damage. Median mileage when it started: about 35,000 miles.
Power windows or regulator: a fire
5 complaints (3%)
A fire and parts breaking or coming apart. 3 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often a fire. Median mileage when it started: about 80,000 miles.
Stall (cause not stated)
5 complaints (3%)
Stalling. 4 of these 5 complaints describe a serious outcome, most often stalling or losing power while driving. Median mileage when it started: about 130,000 miles.
Brakes: a hard pedal or less assist
4 complaints (3%)
A hard pedal or less assist, early wear and unusual noises. Median mileage when it started: about 34,000 miles.
Engine: stalling
3 complaints (2%)
Stalling and surging. Median mileage when it started: about 125,000 miles.
Seat belts: stopped working
3 complaints (2%)
A feature that stopped working and problems that come and go.
Tires: early wear
3 complaints (2%)
Early wear, parts breaking or coming apart and shattering or cracking. 1 of these 3 complaints describes a serious outcome: a tow.
Airbags: no deployment in a crash
2 complaints (1%)
No deployment in a crash and deployment with no crash. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: an injury.
Door latches: not closing or latching
2 complaints (1%)
Not closing or latching and parts breaking or coming apart.
Headlights: works on and off
2 complaints (1%)
Problems that come and go and inadequate illumination. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: loss of visibility.

Show 10 more problems

Heater: stopped working
2 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working.
Ignition or push-button start: the car not starting
2 complaints (1%)
The car not starting and a feature that stopped working. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
Instrument cluster: stopped working
2 complaints (1%)
A feature that stopped working and problems that come and go.
Manual transmission or clutch: failure or loss of drive
2 complaints (1%)
Failure or loss of drive and locking up. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: stalling or losing power while driving.
Passenger airbag sensor: works on and off
2 complaints (1%)
Problems that come and go and warning lights.
Electrical system (part not stated): a fire
2 complaints (1%)
A fire. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a fire.
Car not starting (cause not stated)
2 complaints (1%)
The car not starting. Both describe a serious outcome, most often a car that would not start.
Steering: loss of steering control
2 complaints (1%)
Loss of steering control. Both describe a serious outcome, most often loss of steering control.
Shifter or park: not releasing
2 complaints (1%)
Not releasing and the car rolling away. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: a car that would not start.
Unintended acceleration (cause not stated)
2 complaints (1%)
Sudden acceleration. 1 of these 2 complaints describes a serious outcome: sudden acceleration or braking.

Reported Once (20)

Show the 20 problems reported once

AWD or rear differential: unusual noises
Ball joints and control arms: parts breaking or coming apart
Control arm bushings: parts breaking or coming apart
Engine overheating
Engine sensors or computer: fault code
Exhaust or catalytic converter: rust or corrosion
Fuel leak
Noise (cause not stated)
Clock spring or cable reel failure
Impact sensor failure
Interior lights: works on and off
Problem not described (cause not stated)
Rollaway (cause not stated)
Spare tire retainer: parts breaking or coming apart
Suspension (part not stated): unusual noises
Trailer hitch
Taillights or brake lights: works on and off
Transmission: harsh or delayed shifts
Vibration (cause not stated)
Wheel bearings: parts breaking or coming apart

How the 2005 Honda Element Compares With Other Years

Every Element year is here: the Element was made in one generation, 2003 to 2011.

Year	Rating	Score	Vs average	Per 10k cars	Recalls	Most reported problem
2011	Excellent	88	0.17×	5.2	10	–
2010	Good	79	0.40×	13.9	10	Brakes: loss of braking
2009	Good	72	0.72×	24.3	8	Brakes: soft pedal
2008	Good	75	0.53×	22.6	12	Brakes: soft pedal
2007	Good	72	0.67×	27.6	10	Instrument cluster: parts breaking or coming apart
2006	Good	70	0.83×	24.8	9	Side or curtain airbags: deployment with no crash
2005 This year	Good	70	0.90×	26.5	7	Frontal airbags: deployment with no crash
2004	Caution	67	1.1×	46.6	9	Windshield: shattering or cracking
2003	Caution	66	1.2×	52.3	10	Windshield: shattering or cracking

See every Element year

2005 Honda Element Recalls

Seven recalls cover the 2005 Honda Element. The most recent was issued in June 2019: “Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode.” A VIN check at NHTSA shows which are still open on a given car.

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, June 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V499000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 22% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V501000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jun 27, 2019. By the fourth quarter of 2020, 42% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, March 2019
An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 19V182000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Mar 6, 2019. By the third quarter of 2020, 49% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 17V029000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued Jan 10, 2017. By the second quarter of 2018, 68% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, May 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 16V344000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 23, 2016. By the third quarter of 2017, 58% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.
Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
NHTSA 15V320000 Recall report (PDF)Owner letter (PDF)Issued May 28, 2015. By the fourth quarter of 2017, 68% of the cars in this recall had been fixed.

Show 1 more recalls

Automatic Transmission Control Module Software
The outer race of the secondary shaft bearing may be broken during certain driving styles. A broken outer race may cause abnormal noise, the malfunction indicator light to turn on, and allow contact between the transmission idle gear and an electronic sensor housing within the transmission. This could result in a short circuit causing the engine to stall. Additionally, broken pieces of the outer race or ball bearing from the secondary shaft may become lodged in the parking pawl resulting in the vehicle rolling after the driver has placed the gear selector in the park position.
NHTSA 11V395000 Owner letter (PDF)Issued Aug 4, 2011.

2005 Honda Element Warranty Extensions and Programs

Honda has five customer support programs for the 2005 Honda Element, separate from its recalls. All five are for problems with the airbags. Two have ended. Whether one applies to a car depends on its VIN, which a Honda dealer can check.

Customer support programHonda 20-009
Driver's airbag inflator
The problem:
The driver's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the driver's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
Covered until January 31, 2030.
Another program for the same problem, Honda 18-046, has ended.
Honda's bulletin (PDF)
Customer support programHonda 20-014 and 18-054
Front passenger's airbag inflator
2 programs with the same terms. Which one applies depends on the VIN.
The problem:
The front passenger's airbag inflator can be faulty, and the airbag warning light comes on.
The fix:
A Honda dealer replaces the front passenger's airbag inflator for free.
Who qualifies:
The airbag warning light must be on. A Honda dealer test must show the inflator is faulty. Only replacement inflators that fail later are covered. Open inflator recalls must be done first. Salvage or branded titles are not covered.
Coverage:
20-014: Covered until January 31, 2030.
18-054: Covered until January 31, 2027.
Another program for the same problem, Honda 18-051, has ended.
Bulletin 20-014 (PDF)Bulletin 18-054 (PDF)

2005 Honda Element NHTSA Investigations

NHTSA has opened three investigations that cover the 2005 Honda Element. Two are still open and one led to a recall.

Takata air bag inflators rupturing, mostly in humid areas
Led to a recall
NHTSA's preliminary evaluation began in June 2014 after six Takata air bag inflator ruptures. It covered Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2007, among others. All 10 makers started regional recalls within about two weeks. NHTSA asked them to widen the recalls. It closed in March 2015 and moved to engineering analysis EA15-001.
NHTSA PE14016 Opening report (PDF)Closing report (PDF)Jun 11, 2014 to Mar 2, 2015
Takata air bag inflator ruptures across all makers
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in February 2015, covers Takata air bag inflators that can rupture. It includes Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2007, among others. NHTSA is studying the root cause, the affected vehicles and whether repairs are adequate. The record links 194 recall campaigns to it. It is still open.
NHTSA EA15001 Opening report (PDF)Open since Feb 24, 2015
Rupture risk in Takata inflators with a desiccant
Still open
NHTSA's engineering analysis, opened in September 2021, asks whether Takata inflators with a moisture-trapping desiccant could degrade and rupture over time. They are not yet recalled. It covers Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, Odyssey and Pilot models from 2001 to 2015, among others. No field ruptures have been reported in them. The case is still open.
NHTSA EA21002 Opening report (PDF)Open since Sep 17, 2021

NHTSA Crash Test Ratings

NHTSA gave the 2005 Element no overall, frontal or side rating. It did rate each seat in those tests and lists the seat ratings under Rating Breakdown on its page. We show them the same way below. These tests are from before 2011, so the stars are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and newer models. See the 2005 Element ratings on NHTSA.gov.

4-door

OverallNot rated

Frontal crashNot rated

Driver seat5/5

Passenger seat5/5

Side crashNot rated

Front seat5/5

Rear seat5/5

RolloverNot rated

Check Before You Buy

A checklist for the 2005 Element, from its seven recalls and the problems owners report most.

Confirm the Recalls Were Done

Ask the seller for proof that each of these recalls was repaired.

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, June 2019 NHTSA 19V499000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA 19V501000
Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode, March 2019 NHTSA 19V182000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, January 2017 NHTSA 17V029000
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture, May 2016 NHTSA 16V344000
Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see all 7 recalls and which are still open.

On the Test Drive

Confirm every airbag recall on this VIN has been repaired before you buy.

Ask the Seller

Ask whether any of these were ever repaired, and ask to see the receipts.

Frontal airbags
Side or curtain airbags
Airbag warning lights
Also ask for the service records, especially oil changes.

Before You Pay

Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic you choose.
Decode the VIN to confirm the model year, engine and trim.
Check the title for salvage, flood or rebuilt branding.

What to do next

All Element Years →Best years and years to avoid, side by side.Compare With Other Years →Put up to four model years side by side.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs Honda may still cover for this year.Decode a VIN →Confirm the exact year, engine and trim of a car.