2006 Honda Element Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 4%of 122 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 130,503miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Honda Element, 4% of the 122 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,503 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“The contact owns a 2006 Honda Element. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle rolled away and crashed into another vehicle. The contact mentioned that the key was not in the ignition and there was no one inside the vehicle. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11385189, filed 2020-12, 160,000 miles“Automatic transmission: when shifting from 1st gear to 2nd gear, there is a gear slippage action and sound in the transmission. Apparently, this failure is related to NHTSA campaign # 11v395000 / Honda's recall campaign # r89. I had this recall performed last friday by an authorized Honda dealer. Before the automatic transmission control module software was updated, there was a loud knocking sound while shifting from 1st gear to 2nd gear. After the software was updated, the knocking sound disappeared, but the transmission still slips between 1st shift to 2nd shift. …”
NHTSA complaint #11099863, filed 2018-06“2006 Honda Element. Consumer states problem with vehicle transmission the consumer stated he is submitting a complaint against Honda, because they did not provide a reasonable explanation as to why the transmission problem was not caused by the same module software described in recall 11v395000. In november 2009, the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to check a rattle in the passenger side front tire. The dealer found a problem with the transmission carrier bearing and quoted a price of $3,300. …”
NHTSA complaint #10433348, filed 2011-10Related recalls
- 11V395000Aug 4, 2011Honda is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 accord, 2007-2010 cr-v, and 2005-2008 element passenger cars manufactured from july 1, 2004, through september…Covers: Honda Element 2005–2008, Accord 2005–2010, CR-V 2007–2010
Related service bulletins
- 10038365Jul 12, 2011Honda: the clutch pedal pops or squeaks when it is pressed. There is insufficient clearance of the master cylinder. *rm updated 7/29/11.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 Honda Element
55 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Honda Element
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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