2005 Honda Element Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 10%of 159 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,481miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Honda Element, 10% of the 159 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,481 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. In fact I am pretty sure there is an electrical shortage somewhere.”
NHTSA complaint #11375667, filed 2020-11, 100,000 miles“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“From about march of 2007 we started having problems with our brakes, they had been changed about twice a year. We thought cause we drive around in a city, the brakes wear out faster than normal. Then 2 years later we were having problems starting the car. We had to get it jumped start- it several times, before we purchased a new battery. Though it has been a year from the time we got a new battery, we still had problems starting the vehicle. We have taken it in to the auto shop several time, and they could not find the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10428108, filed 2011-10, 25,000 miles“My 2005 Honda Element constantly display airbag off, when it's inaccurate, dashboard light doesn't work. There's some kind of shortage because it blinks, come on and go off and stay off. It shows the same information, rather driving or stationary. Are there recalls on this car? It's been one problem after another.”
NHTSA complaint #11405632, filed 2021-03, 172,000 miles“Driver seat belt buckle switch for srs air bag system shuts off srs system - red warning light comes on. This has happened several times after resetting, system may work okay for several weeks. Repair shop says common problem seen may times . Cost to fix $350+.”
NHTSA complaint #10578794, filed 2014-04, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10043248Jan 12, 2012Honda: on some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing alternators, installed on gr8 diagnostic battery station.
- 10032953May 9, 2008Honda: warranty extension-vehicle warranty mileage. Class action lawsuit alleging that the odometers on certain 2002-2006 honda models were overstating mileage. Federal court…
- 10018021Jul 1, 2005Speedometer shops can transfer odometer mileage. Honda service news.
- 10018198Jun 16, 2005Cranks, won't start or intermittently cranks, won't start.
- 10018176Jun 16, 2005Alternator condition ( no or low output).
- 10016316May 1, 2005Check fuel cap message in odometer display or mid.
- 10016355Apr 16, 2005No or low alternator output - dealer visit request.
- 10016353Apr 16, 2005Transferring odometer mileage at odometer r&r.
- 10015291Feb 16, 2005Diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p2646, p2647, p2649 or p1009.
- 10018089Dec 16, 2004Alternator condition (no or low output) dealer visit request.
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Honda Element
76 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsSeats
12 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsEngine
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Honda Element
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology