The most-reported Element run is 5J6YH285X3L (2003 builds) with 26 complaints, 10× the typical run. Visibility problems make up 28% of reports; 2003 is the worst model year at 4.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns for Element model years 2003–2011.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Honda Element has 409 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 10% of every Element complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5J6YH285X3L•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| 5J6YH28573L•••••• | 2003 | 2 | — | |
| 5J6YH28563L•••••• | 2003 | 4 | 1 | |
| 5J6YH28543L•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 5J6YH28503L•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 5J6YH28593L•••••• | 2003 | 4 | — | |
| 5J6YH28553L•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| 5J6YH28533L•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 5J6YH28523L•••••• | 2003 | 2 | — | |
| 5J6YH28583L•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 5J6YH18513L•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 5J6YH28513L•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 397 Element runs has 11 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 62 Element VINs so far, most often 2006, 2008, 2003 builds; 5 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Honda Element the gap between build years is 3.8×: a 2003 car draws 4.2 complaints per run, a 2011 one 1.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 8 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 26 | 19 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 31 | 26 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 108 | 52 | 5 | |
| 2007 | 102 | 51 | 5 | |
| 2006 | 106 | 59 | 14 | |
| 2005 | 131 | 50 | 9 | |
| 2004 | 215 | 77 | 14 | |
| 2003 | 326 | 77 | 19 |
Heaviest year here is 2003 at 4.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2011 at 1.1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 28% of everything Honda Element owners report: Visibility, 279 of 1,053 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 2 | 3 | |
| Air Bags | 44 | 1 | |
| Suspension | 7 | — | |
| Electrical System | 2 | 5 | |
| Structure | 11 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 5 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | — | |
| Seats | 4 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 24 recall campaigns on the Honda Element; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2011. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 19V182000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 2003–2011 |
| 16V344000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2011 |
| 15V320000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 2003–2011 |
| 19V501000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2011 |
| 19V499000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 2003–2011 |
| 17V029000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2005–2011 |
19V182000 was opened in 2019 on cars built from 2003: 16 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 1,053 reports on the Honda Element, 6.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Honda Element | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,053 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 72 (6.8%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 9 (0.9%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 71 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Honda Element share of that is 1,053 complaints over 409 runs, 0.09% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Honda Element VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,053 NHTSA complaints from 409 Element runs and 24 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Element production run has the most complaints?
5J6YH285X3L, a 2003 build, with 26 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Element run has 2.6.
Which Element years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2003 is heaviest at 4.2 complaints per run and 2011 lightest at 1.1.
How many Element complaints involve a crash?
6.8% of 1,053 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 9 involved a fire.
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