MYRModel Year Report

2009 Honda Element

▲ Better than typical
2009 Honda Element
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:44:01.992Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
31
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Suspension

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

2003: 424 complaints 2003 2004: 281 complaints 2005: 159 complaints 2005 2006: 122 complaints 2007: 112 complaints 2007 2008: 113 complaints 2009: 31 complaints 2009 31 2010: 30 complaints 2011: 11 complaints 2011
2003: 424 complaints 2003 2004: 281 complaints 2004 2005: 159 complaints 2005 2006: 122 complaints 2006 2007: 112 complaints 2007 2008: 113 complaints 2008 2009: 31 complaints 2009 31 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2011: 11 complaints 2011
2003: 424 complaints 2003 2004: 281 complaints 2004 2005: 159 complaints 2005 2006: 122 complaints 2006 2007: 112 complaints 2007 2008: 113 complaints 2008 2009: 31 complaints 2009 31 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2011: 11 complaints 2011

2009: 31 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2003424
2004281
2005159
2006122
2007112
2008113
200931
201030
201111

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension

26% · 8 reports
Show complaint excerpts

The frame rusted and separated where the rear trail arm connects to the vehicle, so it cannot move.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-08

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-10

Also filed under Structure and wheels

The driver side rear trail arm broke free from under the vehicle. Vehicle loses control much like having flat tires but more violent fish tailing. Vehicle is hard to control to pull over to shoulder.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-25

Service brakes

26% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Air bags

16% · 5 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving my Honda Element 2009 on a hwy in sc.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-25

Also filed under Structure

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Honda Element. The contact stated that while at a stop sign to make a left turn, another vehicle crashed into the rear drivers side panel causing the vehicle to spin around three times in the opposite direction.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-07-23

Structure

16% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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 ODI report, 2024-05-24

Vehicle speed control

10% · 3 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Honda Element. While parking the vehicle, the contact applied the emergency brake; however, the vehicle accelerated, drove over a curb, and crashed into a parked and unoccupied vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-11-15

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2012-09-20Electrical system, trailer hitches12V436000 Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Element passenger vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. The wire that supplies power to the trailer turn signal…

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on September 20, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  3. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  4. R
    2015-07-01Air bags15V320000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2016-06-29Air bags16V344000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold,...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2017-02-27Air bags17V029000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KD9 and KE0.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2018-02-16Air bags18V041000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura RL, 2010 Honda Element, and 2010-2013 Honda Ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2019-04-10Air bags19V182000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V499000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are Q5A and Y58.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2019-08-12Air bags19V501000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey,...

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2019-12-09Vehicle speed control19E068000 Dorman Products, Inc.

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019. Owners may contact Dorman customer service at 1-800-523-2492, using option 5.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Honda Element — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 12V436000 · Electrical system, trailer hitches
  • Recall 15V320000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V344000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V029000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V041000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V182000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V499000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V501000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19E068000 · Vehicle speed control
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2009 Honda Element reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Honda Element is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Honda Element?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Honda Element have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.