2009 Honda Element Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 16%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 152,403miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the body and structure of the 2009 Honda Element, 16% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 152,403 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“I was driving my Honda Element 2009 on a hwy in sc. The car was in motion and I had a green light and the car was moving forward when a woman who was driving in the opposite direction, made a left turn in the intersection failing to yield me the right of way. My car impacted her car on one side most likely the passenger side door and the collision was a frontal collision for my car. None of the frontal air bags in my vehicle were deployed. I hit my face on the windshield and I suffered a contusion/ light fracture on my left ribs and a head concussion. …”
NHTSA complaint #11056369, filed 2017-12, 131,000 miles“The car is extremely rusty, so much so that the driver side trailing arm detached from the rest of the frame. The driver side rear suspension components are detached from the car. The car has been garage-kept since new, yet is extremely rusty. This is just like what the Canadian Honda Element recall was all about. The local dealership refused to do anything and said the car was out of warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11755910, filed 2026-08“The contact owns a 2009 Honda Element. The contact stated there was an extreme amount of rust on the vehicle. The contact stated that the trailing arm was corroded and had several holes. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to assist with the repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 274,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11602751, filed 2024-07, 274,000 miles“The contact owns a 2009 Honda Element. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the contact observed a noise coming from the rear driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that when the vehicle came to a stop, he opened the driver's door and observed the rear passenger’s side tire was sideways. The vehicle was towed to a body shop where the contact was informed that the frame of the vehicle near the trailing arm was rusted through and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,403.”
NHTSA complaint #11612582, filed 2024-09, 152,403 miles“While driving the left rear wheel went sideway... looking underneath the Unibody had corroded to the point the left control arm separated from the car making it undrivable.... was told to not drive the car as it is not safe...”
NHTSA complaint #11590551, filed 2024-05Body and structure: other model years
Other parts of the 2009 Honda Element
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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