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Honda ElementModel year report

2007 Honda Element Problems

Complaints
112filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
71,400miles, 69 complaints with mileage
Recalls
10campaigns 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
22 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2007 Honda Element (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 Element most often report two things: gauge needles dropping off the instrument cluster, and a soft or low brake pedal tied to the VSA modulator. Many complaints date from the first few years and low mileage, while airbag recall notices and rear-suspension rust complaints show up later in the vehicle's life. Reports are spread fairly evenly across the model year rather than concentrated in one period.

  1. Electrical system

    Instrument cluster gauge needles fall off

    • 23 complaints (21%)
    • median 91,200 mi at 7.7 yrs old (20 state mileage)
    • filed 2011–2020

    Owners describe speedometer, tachometer, temperature and fuel needles dropping off their posts, sometimes after a bump or pothole and sometimes with no event at all. The empty gauge faces then glow brightly, which owners say makes night driving hard. Complaints state that dealers quoted roughly $900 to $1,000 for a full cluster replacement, and several mention an earlier product update that had expired by the time they asked. Reported from about 12,000 to 169,000 miles, often after a bump or pothole but sometimes with no triggering event.

    What to check: Start the car and confirm every gauge sweeps and reads correctly, and look closely at whether needles sit on their posts. Ask whether the cluster was ever replaced or repaired.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving on the interstate the speedometer needle, and the tachometer needle fell off of their gauges. In addition the gas gauge now no longer properly registers the amount of fuel in the tank so I am left to estimate. All three pose a safety risk to me as a driver increasing the possibility of my speeding inadvertently, running out of gas in isolated locations, or driving the car at high RPM. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10764686, filed 2015-09, 109,000 miles

    “I was driving my Element down a back road in indianapolis when after hitting a pothole I noticed 4 bright lights shining directly at me. All the needles in my dash fell right out and are currently nestled in plain view behind the clear plastic face.”

    NHTSA complaint #10608737, filed 2014-07, 71,500 miles
  2. Brakes

    Soft or low brake pedal (VSA modulator)

    • 15 complaints (13%)
    • median 27,000 mi at 2.7 yrs old (15 state mileage)
    • filed 2007–2015

    Complaints describe a brake pedal that sinks toward the floor or feels spongy, requiring heavy pressure to stop. Several owners say the pedal improved after the VSA modulator recall work but the softness came back later, and some report repeated modulator replacements and brake bleeding without a lasting fix. Others tie the same symptom to premature rear brake pad and rotor wear. Reported from very low mileage (under 1,000 miles) up past 100,000 miles, with several complaints in the first 40,000 miles.

    Recall 10V098000

    What to check: Press the pedal firmly with the engine running and see whether it holds or creeps down. Ask for proof that recall 10V098000 was completed and whether the VSA modulator has been replaced since.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “This complaint is about my 2007 Honda Element ex. In 2008 I started experiencing very soft brakes, and complained to the dealer. The dealer proceeded to replace the vsa modulator twice, and bleed the brakes over 12 times and it came back worse than when I took it in. Took it to another dealer who replaced the modulator again, bled brakes, felt better temporarily but the issue returned. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10374689, filed 2011-01, 15,000 miles

    “We have had to replace our brakes & rotors every year,starting in year 3. (I drove only 3,000 miles a year) then gave it to my husband who drives to work. When the miles got up to 14,000 - that was the first brake & rotor replacement. Asked Honda about this while under warranty and no word about problems, just their answer that it was from a 'street sweeper' or 'the way we drove.' several times the rotors were so bad, that the car screeched. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10717624, filed 2015-05, 14,000 miles
  3. Electrical system

    VSA, ABS and check engine lights on together

    • 7 complaints (6%)
    • median 125,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2011–2020

    Owners report the VSA, ABS and traction control lights illuminating together, sometimes with the check engine light and with jerking or rough running at speed. Complaints say dealers diagnosed a faulty VSA modulator and quoted over $1,000 to replace the whole unit, and some owners note the warning can clear on its own without storing a code. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 190,000 miles, often at highway speeds.

    What to check: With the engine running, confirm no VSA, ABS or check engine lights stay on after the bulb check. Ask if the VSA modulator has been diagnosed or replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When im going more than 35 miles the car is trying to stop. The vsa & engine light is on and took it to mechanic but still have the same problem. I have seen a lot of persons with the same problem. The odyssey has a recall with the same problem. Could you check if this a manufacturer problem. I can't drive my car am afraid something worst could happen. I had to buy another car and don't know what to do with the Element.”

    NHTSA complaint #11091258, filed 2018-05, 151,000 miles

    “I was just driving my 2007 Honda Element to work in the north end of seattle, and all of the sudden my vehicle started jerking and the check engine light, vsa and steering light came on the triangle with a lightning bolt in it it started running rough. When I would step on the gas it would cause the car to jerk and the speedometer would idle up and down. It was very intense. I would lift off the gas patel and try to let it smoothin out. It definitely is a safety issue. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11151002, filed 2018-11, 10 miles
  4. Air bags

    Airbag warning light and deployment concerns

    • 19 complaints (17%)
    • median 86,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2011–2020

    Owners report the passenger airbag warning indicator lighting intermittently, and some describe airbags deploying without a crash or failing to deploy in one. Several complaints mention waiting on inflator recall parts that were not yet available. Honda has run multiple inflator recalls and warranty-extension programs for this model, and service bulletins describe the inflator campaigns and replacement-part coverage. Reported from around 20,000 to 310,000 miles, with parts-availability complaints concentrated around 2015.

    Recall 19V501000Recall 19V499000Recall 19V182000Recall 15V320000Recall 16V3440003 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check the VIN against open airbag inflator recalls and ask for documentation that the inflator replacement was completed. Confirm the passenger airbag indicator behaves normally on start-up.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was traveling approximately 20 MPH, brakes were not applied before incident, and the driver and passenger side curtain airbags and the driver seat air bag deployed. When the airbags deployed I attempted to apply the brakes and they were not functioning for approximately 1/2 miles of travel.”

    NHTSA complaint #10430325, filed 2011-10, 20 miles

    “Was involved in a car accident on 8/22/12. I was driving a 2007 Honda Element awd at 55mph. An accident happened in front of me which resulted in me hitting a truck and a van hitting me. The airbags never deployed... Not one! I am upset that I bought this car because of the safety measures and when I needed them, nothing happened. Both the driver and passenger suffered very sore necks, shoulders and backs! I want a investigation done on my vehicle to see why the airbags never deployed!!! …”

    NHTSA complaint #10472093, filed 2012-08, 116,000 miles

Buying note. Have any 2007 Element checked for open airbag inflator recalls and for rear subframe rust before buying, and budget for possible instrument cluster or VSA modulator work given how often owners report those two.

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 112 consumer complaints for the 2007 Honda Element. 69 of the complaints include a mileage, and 36% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 71,400 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 6 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns and 50 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: Vehicle speed control (5), Wheels (4), Exterior lighting (2), Seat belts (2), Seats (2), Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Steering (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “The srs sensor is bad due to air bag steering wheel being recalled and replaced is part of the system that air bag functions by. I believe the or all parts should recalled”

NHTSA complaint #11308137, filed 2020-02, 72,000 miles

Electrical system: “I was driving down a gravel road and the gauge needles on both the speedometer and tachometer fell off. We were using the vehicle in accordance with how it was designed to be used. We were forced to finish our trip without knowing our speed or rpms (a major safety hazard). The Honda dealer says the entire instrument cluster must be replaced in order for the gauges to display accurate information again. This is obviously a major design flaw by Honda which has serious safety concerns.”

NHTSA complaint #10678362, filed 2015-01, 67,000 miles

Brakes: “The Honda Element has a recall for a soft, spongy brake pedal that has to be pushed to the floor to get the brakes to engage. There is a recall for this symptom, related to the vehicle stability assist module. The recall work was done, and the pedal feel improved, but after time, the issue returns. My brakes are soft and spongy and I get no brakes unless the pedal goes most of the way to the floor. It feels as if the car is not going to stop each time I brake.”

NHTSA complaint #10470537, filed 2012-08, 70,000 miles

Suspension: “While driving my 2007 Honda Element cs , just after entering a freeway southbound, while getting up to freeway speed, a loud noise began to come from rear of vehicle as if a tire or tires were coming loose. Once hitting 55mph the vehicle began to shake somewhat, yet still controllable. I pulled over & inspected the tires & wheels and could not find anything wrong. Continued into next city to dealership where a four wheel alignment was done & all tires rotated. Now while on cross country trip on 20 may 2012, this same issue has occurred once again on a set of new tires. …”

NHTSA complaint #10464090, filed 2012-07, 32,846 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

36% of the 69 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 23,000 and 112,000 miles.

9%0–1017%10–2510%25–5020%50–759%75–10023%100–15012%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (69 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 71,400 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

’09’1217’16’19’22’25
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 2007 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 AWD/FWDnot rated5 / 5——3 · 20.4% risk

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 2007 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-cyl5-speed automatic202522$3,050
Element 2WD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual182320$3,350
Element 4WD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed automatic192421$3,200
Element 4WD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual182320$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 10 recalls for the 2007 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. 50 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 50 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 2007 Honda Element?

Owners of the 2007 Element most often report two things: gauge needles dropping off the instrument cluster, and a soft or low brake pedal tied to the VSA modulator. The issues reported most often: Instrument cluster gauge needles fall off; Soft or low brake pedal (VSA modulator); VSA, ABS and check engine lights on together.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007 Honda Element have?

NHTSA recorded 112 consumer complaints for the 2007 Honda Element as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2007 Honda Element is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 27 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system with 22.

Has the 2007 Honda Element been recalled?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2007 Honda Element get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Honda Element (Element 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2007 Honda Element reported?

Among the 69 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 71,400 miles and the middle half falls between 23,000 and 112,000 miles; 36% 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.