2010 Honda ELEMENT
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2010 Honda ELEMENT has 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is air bags problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: crash pushed car off the road. airbags deployed but did not inflate. airbags had crude cut out circles at the end of wires. did someone cut out the bag inflators?..updated 06/25/14 *bf updated 06/30/2014 *js updated 12/30/15*lj.
39
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.5x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
AIR BAGS
7 complaints- • CRASH PUSHED CAR OFF THE ROAD. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. AIRBAGS HAD CRUDE CUT OUT CIRCLES AT THE END OF WIRES. DID SOMEONE CUT OUT THE BAG INFLATORS?..UPDATED 06/25/14 *BF UPDATED 06/30/2014 *JS UPDATED 12/30/15*LJ
- • AT THIS TIME MY CAR HAS A RECALL ON ITS AIRBAG. RECENTLY I RECEIVED A LETTER TO CALL MY LOCAL HONDA DEALER. IN CALLING I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR COULD NOT BE FIXED TILL DECEMBER 10TH AND TO CALL THE DAY BEFORE TO MAKE SURE THE PART WAS EVEN AVAILABLE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS IT EFFECTS THE SAFETY O
- • HONDA HAS BEEN NON RESPONSIVE TO NHTSA RECALL 14V-351. AFTER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE WHICH SAID THE DEFECT COULD KILL OR INJURE ME I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG. HONDA REFUSED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE BACK ORDERED. SINCE THEN THEY H
“CRASH PUSHED CAR OFF THE ROAD. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. AIRBAGS HAD CRUDE CUT OUT CIRCLES AT THE END OF WIRES. DID SOMEONE CUT OUT THE BAG INFLATORS?..UPDATED 06/25/14 *BF UPDATED 06/30/2014 *JS UPDATED 12/30/15*LJ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SUSPENSION
6 complaints- • Drivers side rear trailing arm separated from chassis. This occurred while backing out of a parking spot causing the left rear wheel to turn outward. When this happened I had to turn the steering wheel left to keep vehicle going straight forward and this was at an idling speed. we had just a few da
- • I've been informed by my mechanic of excessive rust on the rear suspension. The car will not pass state inspection due to safety issues related to this. An appointment has been made with the Honda dealership to confirm. Honda has put out a recall/buy back for the same issue on the Element and the C
- • My name is [XXX] and I am the owner of this vehicle. On [XXX] 2024, my daughter was driving this vehicle at approximately 30 miles per hour when the drivers side rear trailing arm separated from the frame and caused the tire/wheel to destabilize and hung crooked from the side of the rear of the ve
“Drivers side rear trailing arm separated from chassis. This occurred while backing out of a parking spot causing the left rear wheel to turn outward. When this happened I had to turn the steering wheel left to keep vehicle going straight forward and this was at an idling speed. we had just a few da”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BRAKES
5 complaints- • I PURCHASE A HONDA ELEMENT 2010 FROM RAY HONDA ON STRASBOURG ON APRIL, TEST DRIVE IT AND THE BRAKE WENT DOWN TO FLOOR I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIR I DROVE AWAY AND THE SAME PROBLEM PERSIST I BROUGHT IT BACK THEY SAID TO ME THAT I HAVE TO LEAVE WE IT, I TOLL THEM IS DANGEROUS
- • MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BOTH, INDEPENDENTLY, EXPERIENCED OUR HONDA ELEMENT REVVING ITS ENGINE AND SURGING FORWARD WHEN WE APPLY THE BRAKES. PLEASE WATCH FOR THE COPY OF A LETTER I AM SENDING TO NHTSA BY USPS CERTIFIED #7011 2000 0001 6765 8433.
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VSA MODULE CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE R
“I PURCHASE A HONDA ELEMENT 2010 FROM RAY HONDA ON STRASBOURG ON APRIL, TEST DRIVE IT AND THE BRAKE WENT DOWN TO FLOOR I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIR I DROVE AWAY AND THE SAME PROBLEM PERSIST I BROUGHT IT BACK THEY SAID TO ME THAT I HAVE TO LEAVE WE IT, I TOLL THEM IS DANGEROUS”
— NHTSA complaint filing
VISIBILITY
3 complaints- • 2/27/10 PURCHASED NEW HONDA ELEMENT, DELIVERED WITH WINDSHIELD CHIPS, DEALER SUBCONTRACTED. NEW WINDSHIELD INSTALL & GAVE GUARANTEE OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. TOOK DELIVERY 3/8/10, NOTED EXCESSIVE DASH/WINDSHIELD RATTLE. CALLED DEALER NEXT DAY-WAS ASKED TO 'MONITOR THROUGH SUMMER MOS. AS RATTLE WOULD
- • I WAS MOWING MY LAWN WHEN THE LAWN-MOWER KICKED UP A SMALL (LESS THAN 1.5 CM DIAMETER) PEBBLE AND THREW IT INTO THE REAR WINDOW. THE ENTIRE WINDOW SHATTERED, THE SIDES FELL OUT, THE MIDDLE CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS. YOU COULD SEE A SMALL WHITE AREA(SIZE OF A DIME) WHERE THE IMPACT WAS, IT WAS NOW
- • I had arrived home on 7/17/2025 and was sitting in my parked vehicle under my carport talking on the phone when I heard a very loud bang. I was disoriented and worried that my safety may be at risk, so I asked the person I was speaking to if they would stay on the line with me until I made it insid
“2/27/10 PURCHASED NEW HONDA ELEMENT, DELIVERED WITH WINDSHIELD CHIPS, DEALER SUBCONTRACTED. NEW WINDSHIELD INSTALL & GAVE GUARANTEE OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. TOOK DELIVERY 3/8/10, NOTED EXCESSIVE DASH/WINDSHIELD RATTLE. CALLED DEALER NEXT DAY-WAS ASKED TO 'MONITOR THROUGH SUMMER MOS. AS RATTLE WOULD”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
3 complaints- • MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BOTH, INDEPENDENTLY, EXPERIENCED OUR HONDA ELEMENT REVVING ITS ENGINE AND SURGING FORWARD WHEN WE APPLY THE BRAKES. PLEASE WATCH FOR THE COPY OF A LETTER I AM SENDING TO NHTSA BY USPS CERTIFIED #7011 2000 0001 6765 8433.
- • AT 118,000 MILES THE ENGINE IN MY 2010 HONDA ELEMENT SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED, IT SHOWED THAT A PISTON HAD STOPPED CREATING HEAT SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO FUSE IT TO THE CYLINDER. PRIOR TO STOPPING THE ONLY SIGN OF AN ISSUE WAS ODD REVVING DURING TIMES OF CONS
- • INTERMITANT SHUDDERING AND LOSS OF POWER UNDER ACCELERATION. TROUBLE CODE P2646
“MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BOTH, INDEPENDENTLY, EXPERIENCED OUR HONDA ELEMENT REVVING ITS ENGINE AND SURGING FORWARD WHEN WE APPLY THE BRAKES. PLEASE WATCH FOR THE COPY OF A LETTER I AM SENDING TO NHTSA BY USPS CERTIFIED #7011 2000 0001 6765 8433.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 39 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐AIR BAGS: CRASH PUSHED CAR OFF THE ROAD. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT DID NOT INFLATE. AIRBAGS HAD CRUDE CUT OUT CIRCLES AT THE END OF WIRES. DID SOMEONE CUT OUT THE BAG INFLATORS?..UPDATED 06/25/14 *BF UPDATED 06/30/2014 *JS UPDATED 12/30/15*LJ
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SUSPENSION: Drivers side rear trailing arm separated from chassis. This occurred while backing out of a parking spot causing the left rear wheel to turn outward. When this happened I had to turn the steering wheel left to keep vehicle going straight forward and this was at an idling speed. we had just a few da
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: I PURCHASE A HONDA ELEMENT 2010 FROM RAY HONDA ON STRASBOURG ON APRIL, TEST DRIVE IT AND THE BRAKE WENT DOWN TO FLOOR I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIR I DROVE AWAY AND THE SAME PROBLEM PERSIST I BROUGHT IT BACK THEY SAID TO ME THAT I HAVE TO LEAVE WE IT, I TOLL THEM IS DANGEROUS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐VISIBILITY: 2/27/10 PURCHASED NEW HONDA ELEMENT, DELIVERED WITH WINDSHIELD CHIPS, DEALER SUBCONTRACTED. NEW WINDSHIELD INSTALL & GAVE GUARANTEE OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. TOOK DELIVERY 3/8/10, NOTED EXCESSIVE DASH/WINDSHIELD RATTLE. CALLED DEALER NEXT DAY-WAS ASKED TO 'MONITOR THROUGH SUMMER MOS. AS RATTLE WOULD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Honda ELEMENT — Year Comparison
How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 39
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 2
- Injury reports
- 5
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2010 Honda ELEMENT