2004 Honda Element Suspension Problems

Trailing arm mount rotting out from rust

NHTSA ID

11674826

Incident

Jun 19, 2025

my control arm mount and frame of my element is rusted out, it is an ongoing problem with the honda element as i am seeing a lot of people online with similar issues. if this fails, it could put people at risk, i also see other elements on the road with a camber'd out back tire on the driver side. i believe these wheels would fall into the car causing an accident. there are no warning lights that pop on, this is hard to get a look at until you get under the vehicle. they have done recalls on this exact problem in canada already, we need it here as well in the usa. the crv has also had the same issues and was given a recall in usa. i am very concerned with the amount of these cars on the road that many do not know the danger they are in.

NHTSA ID

11670614

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

Just like the same era's Honda CR-V (the Honda Element's sibling car with many of the same components), the undercarriage rust on my vehicle is excessive: as described in the same era Honda CR-V's NHTSA Recall (23V-228). Large sections of my car’s rear frame are completely missing, and as shown in the photographs even the rear bumper fell off because of all of the rust. Just like with the CR-V, a recall for the rear frame corrosion first occurred in Canada and then in the US: see NHTSA Recall 23V-228’s chronology. The Honda Element's Canadian recall is as follows: "Transport Canada Recall - 2021024 – HONDA". As of today, there is no NHTSA recall for rear frame corrosion for Honda Elements. I am submitting this complaint for this car now, and also contemporaneously am submitting complaints under different VINs for my other Elements with rust problems: every Honda Element that I have ever owned, even one that had spent its entire 14 year life as a New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas car has had rust problems. In other words, no matter what environment these Elements (which were made for the model years 2003-2011) are in, they corrode right away (within any factory warranties), and eventually become dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11666870

Incident

Jun 13, 2025

The trailer arm rusted at the mount. I was told it was not safe to drive. I have learned that this is a common problem with this vehicle and Honda has issued a recall in Canada, but not the USA. I also learned that there is a similar issue with I believe the Honda CRV and that has been in recall from Honda in I believe both Canada and the US. I found a place to do the repair and he said he has seen a lot worse than mine and has done many of these repairs.. The total repair cost is $1500. I also learned that due to its design water gets trapped in the mount and causes the rust, which sounds definitely like a design flaw. The repair entails fabrication a whole new mount for the trailer arm. I discovered it on June 7th when I was doing some under body clean up.

NHTSA ID

11600578

Incident

Jul 7, 2024

The rear left trailing arm mounting point is completely corroded through, making the car unsafe to drive. If it were to fall off during driving the chances of it creating an accident are high. There are many other Elements with this specific spot rusting through.

NHTSA ID

11590452

Incident

May 23, 2024

Drivers side rear control arm mount is almost none distant from rust. The subframe is almost gone and there is tons of rust on the drivers side frame as well. I have seen this with a lot of people laments. Canada even had a recall on this exact problem.

NHTSA ID

11568306

Incident

Jan 2, 2024

The fuel filler neck has rusted through. If pumping gas into the vehicle, gasoline runs onto the ground by the rear tire. The rear trailing arm of the suspension has significant rust. I am concerned this suspension part could fail and become unattached to the vehicle frame/body. The Canadian transportation board has ordered a recall to repairs these issues. from Transport Canada: Toronto, Ontario — Honda is recalling all 2003-2011 Element SUVs, warning of rusting rear frames that could result in the complete separation of the rear trailing arm.

NHTSA ID

11539053

Incident

Mar 1, 2023

the left rear trailing arm separated from the body causing the wheel to turn outward and stop moving.

NHTSA ID

11539013

Incident

Aug 16, 2023

The rear driver’s side trailing arm, which connects to the frame and body of the car, is rusted out to the point where it can no longer be driven safely. If the arm detaches from the body, it will cause an extremely dangerous situation which can even result in death. I can no longer drive this vehicle, even though the engine and transmission are strong. There is no repair for this without spending thousands of dollars to cut and repair the rusted area. This is an extremely common issue with the Honda Elements in areas that get snow. It needs to be addressed because it may cause serious harm to those are are not as familiar with the underside of their vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11538640

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the rear trailing arm detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 201,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11523484

Incident

May 22, 2023

Mileage

201,000 mi

My air conditioner went out and I was going to put car in reverse to see if the fans were working. When I put the key in I didn't start the car because my key wouldn't go forward or backwards it was just stuck and the steering column locked up. When I first purchased the vehicle in October 2022 I had to have to front end suspension joints replaced the bar in the middle was cracked. It sounded and felt like the motor was going to fall out. I need to replace the back suspension due to very loud noises when driving like something is going to fall apart.

NHTSA ID

11523265

Incident

May 18, 2023

Excessive corrosion rear suspension near control arm. Honda has already issued a recall in Canada. I was unaware of this problem until a big piece of rusty metal fell off the bottom of my car when I closed the rear driver’s door. My control arm is ready to fall out which could have led to a fatal accident. There are Honda forums all over the internet with thousands of posts in the USA with the same issue as the Canada recall.

NHTSA ID

11480151

Incident

Aug 17, 2022

I TOOK MY HONDA ELEMENT TO THE DEALER COMPLAINING OF A VIBRATION IN THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT MY COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS NEEDED REPLACED BUT AXLES WERE FINE. I PICKED UP MY CAR ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, THE MECHANIC CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE RIGHT AXLE WAS BAD. I HAD THAT REPLACED STILL HAVE A VIBRATION. I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE THE LEFT AXLE. I CAME UPON AN INTERESTING THREAD ON A FORUM STATING THAT HONDA HELD EDUCATION MEETINGS ABOUT THE FRAME CAUSING THE AXLES TO WEAR INCORRECTLY. INNER JOINT BEARINGS ROLLING OUT OF JOINT, ABNORMAL WEAR. NOT OUTSIDE OF THE SURFACE OF THE BEARINGS BUT ACTUAL INSIDE BEARINGS OCTAGONED. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 68, 000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A HONDA SERVICE MANAGER THAT IT IS EXTREMELY RARE FOR ONE AXLE TO GO BAD AND UNHEARD OF FOR 2 TO GO BAD. I AM WONDERING IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE IF HONDA IS COVERING UP A FAULTY AXLE PROBLEM AND POSSIBLY FAULTY DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE BEING THAT THE FRAME IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE COMPONENTS. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT MY REAR STRUTS AS WELL AS REAR COMPLIANCE BUSHINGS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL BUT ARE NOT BAD ENOUGH YET. I ALSO HAVE A DRIVER'S SEAT THAT ROCKS BACK AND FORTH AND HONDA CLAIMS TO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. THIS IS ALSO MY 4TH SET OF TIRES ON THIS CAR. IT LITERALLY EATS THE TIRES UNTIL THEY ARE BALD. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THESE PROBLEMS AS THEY ARE ON FORUMS ON THE INTERNET. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS? *TR

NHTSA ID

10392224

Incident

Feb 23, 2011

Mileage

68,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING A DEER AND THE LEFT REAR STRUTS SNAPPED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER 250 FEET. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,476.

NHTSA ID

10374631

Incident

Dec 27, 2010

Mileage

103,476 mi

2004 HONDA ELEMENT: (I HAVE 2 AND BOTH HAVE THE FOLLOWING EXACT PROBLEMS)1. AIRBAGS WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING PROBLEMS 2. DRIVERS SEAT IS LOOSE AND ROCKS 3. PASSENGER SEAT CAUSES EXTREME DISCOMFORT TO HIP AND BACK ON LONG TIPS (THIS IS OCCURS WITH ALL PASSENGERS, YOUNG AND OLDER) 3. UNDER CARRIAGE BRUSHES FAILURE 4. A/C AIR COMPRESSOR FAILURE 5. STRAPS IN BACK SEATS PULLED OUT AND SEAT CANNOT BE RECLINED 6. ENGINE DECELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. POWER CUTBACK DURING PASSING MAKES THIS VERY DANGEROUS. 7. DRIVERS SEATBELT BUCKLE IS DIFFICULT TO SECURE (ONLY 1 CAR WITH THIS PROBLEM) 8. LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHEN CARS ARE BEING TURNED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10348937

Incident

May 1, 2009

Mileage

80,000 mi

I HAVE HAD MY HONDA ELEMENT INTO MY DEALER FOR THE SAME CREAKING ISSUE IN THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE OVER 6 TIMES. EVERYTIME IT'S NOT FIXED AND THEY MANAGE TO MESS UP SOMETHING ELSE. LATEST IS I HAVE NO REAR HATCH LIGHT AND THE GRAB HANDLE FALLS OFF. *JB

NHTSA ID

10137030

Incident

Sep 14, 2005