NHTSA (USA)Critical
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.
This page covers 10 recalls, 11 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 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.
Airbag complaints dominate the 2011 Honda Element's owner reports, accounting for more than half of all complaints filed for this model year. The bulk of these describe concerns tied to the front passenger airbag system, with several owners reporting they were advised to avoid carrying front-seat passengers while waiting for a remedy, a situation some describe as lasting months. Visibility complaints come in second, though at just two reports the pattern is thin. A single report describes a cracked and broken steering wheel hub mounting bracket that left the wheel loose and, per a dealer inspection, unsafe to drive. A separate isolated report mentions persistent tire pressure monitoring system warning lights illuminating despite normal tire pressure, along with a suspension noise in the front end.
11
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
By System
The 2011 Honda Element has 10 recalls, all but one involving the frontal airbags — both driver and passenger side inflators can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a serious risk of injury or death.
The airbag recalls cover several overlapping campaigns targeting the Takata inflator units on both sides of the vehicle. One recall specifically flags vehicles registered in high-humidity states and territories, where the risk of inflator rupture is elevated. A separate recall notes that on certain Elements, the front passenger airbag may have been installed incorrectly during a prior replacement, meaning it could deploy improperly in a crash even if the inflator itself is not defective. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the inflator issue across all affected vehicles, which is why multiple campaigns exist for what is fundamentally the same hazard.
The one non-airbag recall involves the accessory trailer hitch wiring harness on 2007 through 2011 models: the turn signal and brake lamp wires were swapped, so trailer turn signals only light up when the brakes are applied, leaving other drivers without a clear indication of the driver's intent to turn.
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.
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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 passenger front airbag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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.
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
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.