2005 Honda Element Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 159 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 169,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Honda Element, 3% of the 159 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 169,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This issue has occurred multiple times over the course of a two month time frame. On cold mornings, within the first five minutes of driving the car, the car just shuts off, leaving me without brakes, steering, or acceleration. This would require me to take out the key and restart the engine. No error codes are being generated and the air/heat as well as radio continues to work. This has become quite a dangerous situation because the other vehicles are unaware I cannot move the car and the randomness of when this occurs. …”
NHTSA complaint #10563309, filed 2014-02, 130,000 miles“The car will stall when in motion and turning the steering wheel to make a turn. The car will stall at a stop sign , the car will stall and brake, fuel and brake lights wil come on but battery is fine and lights stay on. This is been an ongoing problem Honda will not honor the recall for the 2005 stalling auto transimission they have replaced the aic , the throttle , the cruise control , o2 sensor. The problem is going over a year since 2014 now worse.”
NHTSA complaint #10795293, filed 2015-11, 169,000 miles“Vtec oil pressure switch low voltage threw a code so I replaced entire mechanism, I don't know the name buy removed wire snaps and three bolts and replaced with brand new, and reattached. Unplugged battery till all reserve was gone. Plugged back up [battery] drove, but still as I hit 3000 rpm and vtec turns on shoots check engine light and vehicle jukes. I have already changed oil, made sure proper level proper weight had flushed as to clean out any debris. Made sure all connections were tight, but nothing fixes problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11509959, filed 2023-03“The contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. While driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently and the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 208,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10746196, filed 2015-08, 208,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10098946Sep 16, 2015"service bulletin - the mil comes on with one of these dtcs: p2646/p2651 (rocker arm oil pressure switch circuit low voltage). p2647/p2652 (rocker arm oil pressure switch…
- 10052884Jul 16, 2013Honda: dtc p2646/p2651 or p2647/2652 may be set. The rocker arm oil pressure switch may need to be replaced. Also included model civic si model year 2002-2005.
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Honda Element
76 complaintsElectrical system
16 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 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