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Honda ElementModel year report

2005 Honda Element Problems

Complaints
159filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
70,000miles, 111 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Honda Element (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2005 Element most often describe airbag problems: side and front airbags deploying with no impact (often while driving slowly or over a curb or gravel), warning lights that come on intermittently, or airbags that did not deploy in a collision. The next most common reports are a driver's seat that rocks back and forth, windshields that crack or chip easily, and cooling-system complaints such as weak heat and overheating. Mileage varies widely, from near-new vehicles to well past 200,000 miles.

  1. Air bags

    Airbag deploys without a crash

    • 38 complaints (24%)
    • median 76,259 mi at 5.2 yrs old (35 state mileage)
    • 17 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2025

    Complaints describe the side or front airbag firing with a loud bang while driving slowly, going over a curb or gravel, or even while parked, with no impact involved. Several owners mention ringing ears, arm or face bruising, and being told by the dealer that no cause could be found or that the vehicle must have been in an accident. Some say repairs were quoted at their own expense. Reported from about 50,000 to over 200,000 miles, often at low speed or on rough surfaces.

    Recall 19V501000Recall 19V499000Recall 19V182000Recall 17V029000Recall 16V344000Recall 15V3200003 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the vehicle has had the inflator recall work done and get the VIN checked against open campaigns. Note any repaired airbag or replaced control module in service records.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The passenger air bag, in the front passenger seatback, deployed accidentally in my 2005 Honda Element. We were driving very slowly on a gravel road. We thought we had been shot at, with the loud bang and my passenger's swearing and grabbing his arm. I am going to click below to say there was an injury, but it was only bruising to the upper arm. It was painful.”

    NHTSA complaint #10276490, filed 2009-07, 52,000 miles

    “In a parking lot moving slowly. I was the only one in the car. The air bag on the rear of the passanger seat deployed. Nothing was hit or was I hit by anything. The seat was moved forward as far as possible because I had something in the back.”

    NHTSA complaint #11361278, filed 2020-09, 110,100 miles
  2. Air bags

    Airbag warning light stays on or flickers

    • 15 complaints (9%)
    • median 117,000 mi at 9.8 yrs old (12 state mileage)
    • filed 2005–2021

    Owners describe the SRS or "passenger airbag off" light coming on and off at random, sometimes weekly, whether the car is parked or moving. Some had the light repaired repeatedly without a lasting fix, and one was told the indicator was on because of a crash the owner says never happened. Reported from very low mileage (around 3,000 miles) up to about 190,000 miles.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Watch the airbag indicator through a full start-up and a short drive; have any stored airbag codes read before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Started with pass. Air bag light & pass. Seatbelt beeper & light. Have had it repaired 4 times but pass. Beeper & light has not been fixed. Spoke with Honda america in ca regional mgr morris said it doesn't exist in the 2005 Honda Element the manual is a misprint. This is a safety issue which Honda does not want to correct. It had worked before so my wife & I spoke to people with 1996 to 2008 Honda elements and they all have a seatbelt light & beeper for the passenger front seat. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10252458, filed 2008-12, 8,311 miles

    “Airbag warning lights will come on for no reason saying passenger airbag is off and it is not off. This happens at least once a week. This happens at various times, cranking vehicle, driving vehicle, there is really no specific situation . It's sporadic. Headlights have always been dim. Sometimes I can't even tell if they are on. The cargo lights, front middle and back work sometimes and most times they don't. Also brake lights seem to have a mind of there own and work when they want to but definitely not when I want them to. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11375667, filed 2020-11, 100,000 miles
  3. Seats

    Driver's seat rocks when accelerating or braking

    • 7 complaints (4%)
    • median 35,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2009–2017

    Complaints describe the driver's seat rocking back and forth under acceleration, braking, or turning, worsening over time. Dealers reportedly identified worn bushings or brackets, and some owners say the repair was not covered once the vehicle was out of warranty even though a service bulletin addresses the condition. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 110,000 miles, often noticed gradually.

    What to check: Sit in the driver's seat and rock it by hand, then test-drive and feel for movement during stops and starts; ask whether the seat bracket or bushing repair has been done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The driver side seat rocks back and forth when decelerating at a stop light or at a stop sign and/or when performing a turn . It also happens when accelerating after a stop or turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the bushings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A service bulletin (TSB 03-032) was issued yet Honda claims they do not see this as an issue even though there have been numerous reports and complaints. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11033316, filed 2017-10, 91,378 miles

    “Driver's seat rocks when accelerating or braking. Honda has issued TSB but refuses to cover cost of fix if vehicle is out of warranty. My car is a 2005 but the TSB covers all vehicles from 2003-2006.”

    NHTSA complaint #10278531, filed 2009-07, 30,800 miles
  4. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Windshield cracks or chips easily

    • 8 complaints (5%)
    • median 9,000 mi at 1.1 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2005–2009

    Owners report chips and long cracks appearing from small road debris, sometimes within weeks of purchase, and cracks spreading after using the defroster. Some say the dealer attributed the damage to a small stone nick and that glass was not covered under warranty. Often reported under 50,000 miles, including vehicles only weeks old.

    What to check: Inspect the windshield edges and lower corners for chips or repaired cracks, and ask whether the glass has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “3-5-08, in morning, when I got into my Element, I noticed two long cracks in the windshield, starting at the lower right- and left-hand corners, traveling upwards at an angle, toward the center, approx 15 inches long, each. I called the Honda dealer, and they said I should check my warranty. I did. Windshield damage not covered. I called Honda motor company. They tried to tell me it was not a design defect (as I believed). …”

    NHTSA complaint #10286203, filed 2009-10, 47,000 miles

    “I have owned my Honda Element for two weeks now....first time on the freeway going around 65-70 miles per hour. At a substantial following distance recieved one chip and one large ding/crack in my windshield from oncoming debris--all within the space of one half hour. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10142872, filed 2005-11, 350 miles

Buying note. For this model year, the first thing to confirm is whether the airbag inflator recalls have been completed for the specific VIN, since several campaigns apply. Also check the driver's seat for rocking movement and inspect the windshield and cooling system before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 159 consumer complaints for the 2005 Honda Element. 111 of the complaints include a mileage, and 37% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 13 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 19 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 70 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Brakes (6), Other or unknown (6), Engine (4), Exterior lighting (3), Fuel system (3), Vehicle speed control (3), Tires (2), Electronic stability control (1), Equipment (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Was driving on a gravel road around 30 MPH when I heard a loud bang and noticed that something hit my left arm. I looked to the side and saw that the side airbag on the driver side had deployed. I did not get hit nor did I hit anything.”

NHTSA complaint #11364819, filed 2020-10, 187,000 miles

Electrical system: “I was driving on a busy street, quite slow (about 20-25 MPH) and smoke started to billow out of my drivers side door. The smoke was coming from underneath the switches which control my windows. The smoke got progressively worse in a very short amount of time (30 seconds - 1 minute). I was unable to open my windows to let the black smoke out. I opened my car door while I drove into the first parking lot I saw. As soon as I parked, I could see flames under the window switches, which melted the plastic and caused the flames to get larger. …”

NHTSA complaint #10576146, filed 2014-04, 163,000 miles

Suspension: “The bushing that holds the left rear axel to the frame of my 2005 Honda Element fell apart and dropped the axel causing damage to the tire and wheel axel and other parts. Looking at the bushing after the fact, I can see where the two 1 stub bolts have worn the bushing in a oblong hole causing the bushing to fail. I do feel this is a design issue with all elements. Please check into this, as I'm almost afraid to drive this car as for it happening again.”

NHTSA complaint #10273980, filed 2009-06, 48,000 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “While driving in traffic at 40 MPH on paved city streets, the passenger side window suddenly fell into the door cavity and was left inoperable. Had to continue to drive the car in cold weather without a side window. Took to dealer for repair of window regulator. Dealer had vehicle for 24 hours. Repair was it appears this premature failure could occur at any time, leaving the car vulnerable to weather and break ins. This should not happen to a car of this age. Repair was $244.32.”

NHTSA complaint #10504676, filed 2013-03, 78,288 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

37% of the 111 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,800 and 124,150 miles.

14%0–107%10–2516%25–5014%50–7511%75–10020%100–15019%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (111 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’05’0815’11’1415’17’20’23’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Honda Element. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Element · sedan not rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 Honda Element version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Element 2WD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192421$3,200
Element 2WD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual192321$3,200
Element 4WD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192320$3,350
Element 4WD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual182220$3,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 2005 Honda Element → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 70 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 70 bulletins →

Other model years of the Honda Element

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20111160,20010—22—Not enough data
20103045,42910—2229 · FewerRising
20093140,0008—2250 · TypicalRising
200811326,50012—22100 · MoreRising
200711271,40010—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200612269,7869—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200515970,0007—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200428147,0009—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200342324,00010—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising

All Honda Element model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Honda Element?

Owners of the 2005 Element most often describe airbag problems: side and front airbags deploying with no impact (often while driving slowly or over a curb or gravel), warning lights that come on intermittently, or airbags that did not deploy in a collision. The issues reported most often: Airbag deploys without a crash; Airbag warning light stays on or flickers; Driver's seat rocks when accelerating or braking.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Honda Element have?

NHTSA recorded 159 consumer complaints for the 2005 Honda Element as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Honda Element is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 76 complaints (48% of the total), followed by electrical system with 16.

Has the 2005 Honda Element been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Honda Element get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Honda Element (Element 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Honda Element reported?

Among the 111 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 30,800 and 124,150 miles; 37% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.