2005 Honda Element Owner Complaints

Left rear trailing arm mount has rusted and trailing arm is not intact.

NHTSA ID

11749776

Incident

Jul 11, 2026

"Reporting a Material Compound Failure on a set of 4 Falken Wildpeak AT Trails tires (size 215/70/16) sold as 'new' but manufactured in 2021 (DOT 3921). Despite 8/32" tread remaining (75% life), from there original 10/32'' tread the rubber is failing with severe dry rot/cracking through the sidewall and markings on all 4 tireson the outside,and inside of the tire walls. This is a safety hazard involving undisclosed 'New Old Stock' this is premature failure ,and was confirmed by Mavis Tire,and Brake center inspection that is also a Falken authorized dealer.

NHTSA ID

11721613

Incident

Mar 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle began to tilt sideways while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled off to the shoulder of the roadway. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear driver’s side control arm had separated from the frame of the vehicle, causing the rear wheel to tuck in underneath the wheel hub. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it remained undiagnosed. The dealer was contacted and stated that based on the pictures, the entire suspension needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.

NHTSA ID

11676962

Incident

Jul 27, 2025

Mileage

124,000 mi

Air bag in drivers seat deployed when I shut rear door. Car was running at the time.

NHTSA ID

11637053

Incident

Jan 19, 2025

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear trailing arm mount was severely rusted. The vehicle was taken to an independent frame mechanic, where the contact was informed that the rear trailing arm mount could fracture. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in an unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

NHTSA ID

11612597

Incident

Aug 28, 2024

Mileage

190,000 mi

The left rear control arm pulled out of the subframe and floor panel and hit the pavement facing forward, the direction in which the car was moving. The left rear tire pulled out and away from the vehicle, and the car lurched downward. There were sparks. I was pulling away from a gas pump at a service station. I stopped the car immediately and had it towed to a mechanic. There was no warning. There were no unusual sounds or movements prior to the incident. Approximately 100 miles before the incident, a licensed mechanic did a safety inspection and test drove the vehicle prior to doing maintenance on other parts of the car. Two different mechanics inspected the vehicle and determined it was unsafe to repair it. The control arm broke off due to excessive rust and corrosion, which was not visible during the safety inspection, because the area was visually blocked by a strut.

NHTSA ID

11582236

Incident

Jan 31, 2024

Rear unibody rust through allowing the drivers side rear trailing arm to become detached. Pulling up to stop sign very slowly luckily. At speed this failure would have assuredly led to a crash from loss of control. Calls have been placed to local Honda dealer as well as American Honda where I was informed there was no recall for this problem in the USA.

NHTSA ID

11579056

Incident

Mar 19, 2024

I was driving and all of a sudden vehicle became hard to control. I got it stopped and noticed drivers side rear tire was sideways. upon inspection I noticed trail arm was broke loose at frame. apparently it had rusted through at the frame.

NHTSA ID

11555888

Incident

Nov 14, 2021

I was driving and left rear trail arm connecting wheel to frame broke loose. upon inspection I noticed the frame was so rusted in that one spot causing trail arm to break loose which caused me to lose control of vehicle very dangerous!

NHTSA ID

11552468

Incident

Nov 2, 2021

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and making a right turn, the rear driver’s side wheel assembly separated from the vehicle. The contact was able to park the vehicle in a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the rear driver’s side wheel assembly separated from the hub and needed to be replaced. The dealer was contact and stated that the vehicle was not under the recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and case was filed but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 14,000.

NHTSA ID

11523545

Incident

Mar 16, 2023

Mileage

14,000 mi

Defect where rear controller arm connects to frame is rusted out. This would cause the rear tires to fall off. The rest of the car isn’t that bad. Canada there is a recall for this but not in the USA.

NHTSA ID

11521261

Incident

May 9, 2023

Vtec oil pressure switch low voltage threw a code so I replaced entire mechanism, I don't know the name buy removed wire snaps and three bolts and replaced with brand new, and reattached. Unplugged battery till all reserve was gone. Plugged back up [battery] drove, but still as I hit 3000 rpm and vtec turns on shoots check engine light and vehicle jukes. I have already changed oil, made sure proper level proper weight had flushed as to clean out any debris. Made sure all connections were tight, but nothing fixes problem.

NHTSA ID

11509959

Incident

Feb 28, 2023

I have a 2005 Honda Element, undercarriage and suspension components have severe rust. I tried to get an inspection from Virginia and it failed immediately due to the rust. The mechanic lowered the vehicle as quickly as he could because of it falling off the lift. ultimately he told it is unsafe to drive. After doing some research I found out that Honda Canada has done a recall on Honda elements from 2003-2010 due to this common issue and here is what they wrote. Issue: On certain vehicles, the rear frame could rust. In extreme cases, this could result in a rear trailing arm separating from the vehicle. This recall applies to vehicles originally sold or currently registered in areas of heavy road salt usage (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador). Safety Risk: A rear trailing arm that separates could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Honda will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer for an inspection of the rear trailing arm front mount bolts. If the vehicle passes the inspection, the dealer will apply corrosion protection and install support braces. Honda will offer to repurchase vehicles that do not pass the inspection. In the event the repurchase is declined by an owner, a secondary inspection and body shop repair method may be possible.

NHTSA ID

11500896

Incident

Jan 9, 2023

Having rust issue with my 2005 Honda Element causing steering and handling issues Unsafe to drive per my mechanic This model has been recalled in Canada to address this issue Is there anything investigating ongoing in the USA as this problem is affecting many elements in the USA as well

NHTSA ID

11456698

Incident

Feb 14, 2020

The contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. The contact stated that while his vehicle was parked in a parking lot, the vehicle independently drifted backwards without warning. Due to the failure, the vehicle collided with another vehicle which resulted in the injury of the occupant inside the other vehicle. The other occupant claimed to have sought medical treatment for his injuries(injuries unknown). There was rear bumper damage to the other vehicle as a result of the failure. A police report was filed and neither vehicle was towed from the scene. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that they were unaware of such a failure occurring with this model vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure had yet to reoccur and the vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 208,000.

NHTSA ID

11419306

Incident

Apr 27, 2021

Mileage

208,000 mi

MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT CONSTANTLY DISPLAY AIRBAG OFF, WHEN IT'S INACCURATE, DASHBOARD LIGHT DOESN'T WORK. THERE'S SOME KIND OF SHORTAGE BECAUSE IT BLINKS, COME ON AND GO OFF AND STAY OFF. IT SHOWS THE SAME INFORMATION, RATHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY. ARE THERE RECALLS ON THIS CAR? IT'S BEEN ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER.

NHTSA ID

11405632

Incident

Feb 3, 2021

Mileage

172,000 mi

THE AIR BAG STAYS ON EVEN AFTER A THE LEFT AIR BAG ASSEMBLY REPLACED. THERE IS A LOUD KNOCKING FRONT END WHICH IS WORSE WHEN IT IS GOING ABOUT 15-30 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11386038

Incident

Dec 30, 2020

Mileage

153,600 mi

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS WILL COME ON FOR NO REASON SAYING PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF AND IT IS NOT OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. THIS HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES, CRANKING VEHICLE, DRIVING VEHICLE, THERE IS REALLY NO SPECIFIC SITUATION . IT'S SPORADIC. HEADLIGHTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DIM. SOMETIMES I CAN'T EVEN TELL IF THEY ARE ON. THE CARGO LIGHTS, FRONT MIDDLE AND BACK WORK SOMETIMES AND MOST TIMES THEY DON'T. ALSO BRAKE LIGHTS SEEM TO HAVE A MIND OF THERE OWN AND WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO BUT DEFINITELY NOT WHEN I WANT THEM TO. IN FACT I AM PRETTY SURE THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE SOMEWHERE.

NHTSA ID

11375667

Incident

Aug 1, 2015

Mileage

100,000 mi

WAS DRIVING ON A GRAVEL ROAD AROUND 30 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND NOTICED THAT SOMETHING HIT MY LEFT ARM. I LOOKED TO THE SIDE AND SAW THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAD DEPLOYED. I DID NOT GET HIT NOR DID I HIT ANYTHING.

NHTSA ID

11364819

Incident

Oct 11, 2020

Mileage

187,000 mi

IN A PARKING LOT MOVING SLOWLY. I WAS THE ONLY ONE IN THE CAR. THE AIR BAG ON THE REAR OF THE PASSANGER SEAT DEPLOYED. NOTHING WAS HIT OR WAS I HIT BY ANYTHING. THE SEAT WAS MOVED FORWARD AS FAR AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I HAD SOMETHING IN THE BACK.

NHTSA ID

11361278

Incident

Sep 26, 2020

Mileage

110,100 mi

THE UNDERBODY FRAME IS RUSTED SEVERELY CAUSING LEFT REAR WHEEL TO BE LOOSE MAKING IT UNFIT TO DRIVE AS IS. DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT RUST AND CORROSION DISCOVER WHEN TOOK TO MY MECHANIC TO EVALUATE POOR HANDLING AND LOOSENESS WHEN DRIVING TOLD ME UNSAFE TO DRIVE AWAY

NHTSA ID

11360582

Incident

Apr 18, 2020

Mileage

290,600 mi

PURCHASED FROM PRIVATE SELLER. ADVERTISED AS 2005, WITH 55,000 MILES, 4WD, ONE OWNER, NO ACCIDENTS. SELLER PROVIDED FABRICATED CARFAX REPORT, ALTERED TITLE AND THE ODOMETER WAS TAMPERED WITH AND THE CAR IS FWD, HAS HAVE 5 OWNERS AND HAS A REPORTED ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

11324802

Incident

Apr 28, 2020

I DO NOT HAVE THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. IT WAS TOTALLED IN 2015 AND SOLD TO A SALVAGE COMPANY IN JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN. I HAVE TRIED MANY, MANY TIMES TO REPORT THIS TO VARIOUS ENTITIES IN VARIETY OF WAYS, BUT I KEEP GETTING NOTICES. IT HAS BEEN 4 YEARS, AND I KEEP GETTING THESE LETTERS/NOTICES. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT. STOP THE MAILINGS, I NO LONGER OWN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11241417

Incident

Jul 2, 2015

AIR BAG REPLACED AROUND AUG. 1, 2016. I BELIEVE THE AIR BAG WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY AS IT RATTLES INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. RATTLES WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID

11235135

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

52,300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, FLAMES APPEARED FROM THE DASHBOARD. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL TOW LOT. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR AND INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11204955

Incident

Sep 27, 2017

Mileage

111,000 mi