NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
This page covers 11 recalls, 30 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Honda Element.
20–21 mpg combined
11.2–11.8 L/100km
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
Complaints about the 2010 Honda Element cluster most heavily around the airbag system and rear suspension. The airbag complaints are the highest in volume, though the narratives don't describe a single consistent symptom pattern, reports vary and some appear linked to unexpected deployments. The more structurally consistent pattern involves the rear trailing arm mounts: multiple owners describe the frame attachment points rusting through, with the trailing arm separating from the vehicle during normal driving. Several accounts describe the rear end dropping or the wheel going crooked with no external trigger like a pothole. A handful of suspension complaints also mention front-end handling issues, described as jerking or instability in turns. The rust-related trailing arm separation is the most specific recurring theme, with owners reporting it happening at low speeds on ordinary roads.
30
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2010 Honda Element has 11 recalls, the most serious being a Takata airbag inflator defect on both the driver and passenger sides, where the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, causing serious injury or death.
The airbag issue appears across multiple filings but the danger is the same: a rupturing inflator that can scatter sharp fragments toward occupants. One filing specifically covers vehicles ever registered in high-humidity states and territories, where the risk is elevated. A separate passenger-side recall covers vehicles where the front passenger airbag may have been replaced incorrectly, causing it to deploy improperly in a crash.
Certain automatic transmission models built during a narrow production window have a shift cable that was not correctly set at the lever bracket, meaning the transmission may not engage the gear the driver selects. This can leave the key stuck in the ignition, prevent shifting in or out of park, or block access to reverse. On the trailer side, models with an accessory hitch wiring harness have the turn signal and brake lamp wires swapped, so trailer turn signals only illuminate when the brakes are applied rather than when signaling a turn.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front airbag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front airbag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Driver air bag inflators installed during previous recalls or as service parts may explode during a crash when the air bag deploys due to a manufacturing defect.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflator with a different inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity, temperature, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement, potentially affecting its ability to deploy properly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the passenger air bag and replace the module assembly if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from prolonged exposure to heat, humidity, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator can rupture during a crash due to chemical breakdown from long-term exposure to heat and humidity.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver air bag inflator may rupture due to moisture and manufacturing variations that develop over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trailer hitch wiring harness has the turn signal power wire and brake lamp wire switched. Turn signals only light up when braking, not independently.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the wiring harness at no charge to restore proper turn signal operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The cable connecting the shift lever to the transmission was installed incorrectly at the bracket. The transmission may not engage the gear you select even though you move the shift lever.
What the fix does
Dealers will adjust the shift cable bushing to the correct position at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.