RoadVitals

2005 Honda Element Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Mar 3, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 158 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Honda Element submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Mar 3, 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
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Nov 22, 2015

THE CAR WILL STALL WHEN IN MOTION AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A TURN. THE CAR WILL STALL AT A STOP SIGN , THE CAR WILL STALL AND BRAKE, FUEL AND BRAKE LIGHTS WIL COME ON BUT BATTERY IS FINE AND LIGHTS STAY ON. THIS IS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM HONDA WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL FOR THE 2005 STALLING AUTO TRANSIMISSION THEY HAVE REPLACED THE AIC , THE THROTTLE , THE CRUISE CONTROL , O2 SENSOR. THE PROBLEM IS GOING OVER A YEAR SINCE 2014 NOW WORSE.

NHTSA ID
10795293
Incident
Nov 22, 2015
Mileage
169,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 4, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 208,000.

NHTSA ID
10746196
Incident
Jul 28, 2015
Mileage
208,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 29, 2014

THE BOLTS TO THE EXHAUST FLANGES AND FLANGES BEFORE AND AFTER THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ARE TOTALLY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED ACCORDING TO THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE BOLTS BREAK THIS MAY CAUSE THE REAR OF THE CAR TO BECOME AIRBORNE . FURTHERMORE THE RUSTING OF THE BOLTS AND FLANGES SHOULD HAVE BEEN PICKED UP BY THE HONDA TECHS LONG BEFORE THE BOLTS AND FLANGES GOT TO THIS HAZARDOUS CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10651052
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Mileage
70,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+1 more
Filed Feb 6, 2014

THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF A TWO MONTH TIME FRAME. ON COLD MORNINGS, WITHIN THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR, THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF, LEAVING ME WITHOUT BRAKES, STEERING, OR ACCELERATION. THIS WOULD REQUIRE ME TO TAKE OUT THE KEY AND RESTART THE ENGINE. NO ERROR CODES ARE BEING GENERATED AND THE AIR/HEAT AS WELL AS RADIO CONTINUES TO WORK. THIS HAS BECOME QUITE A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE OTHER VEHICLES ARE UNAWARE I CANNOT MOVE THE CAR AND THE RANDOMNESS OF WHEN THIS OCCURS. THERE IS NO PATTERN TO IT, ALTHOUGH IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN WITHIN THE FIRST 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR AND IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN IN ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. MY DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO RECREATE THIS ISSUE EVEN AFTER KEEPING IT A COUPLE DAYS. I HOPE THIS ISSUE CAN BE FIGURED OUT, FIXED, AND RECALLED SO THAT I CAN FEEL SAFE AGAIN WHEN DRIVING MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10563309
Incident
Dec 2, 2013
Mileage
130,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 15, 2011

2005 HONDA ELEMENT (2 WD) HAS NO HEAT AT ALL WHILE A/C SYSTEM IS WORKING FINE.. COME TO FIND OUT, HONDA RELEASED AN ORIGINAL TSB OF 07-076, AND SINCE THEN REPLACED IT WITH TSB 08-097 WHICH WAS "FAILED HEATER CORE". IT SEEMS THE MANUFACTURER USED WRONG COOLANT AND SO IT CLOGGS UP HEATER CORE. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN LOCAL DEALER FOR 5 DAYS AND THEY TRIED TO BLAME ON EVERYTHING OUTSIDE OF THE HEATER CORE AND ALSO CHANGED EVERYTHING EXCEPT HEATER CORE, AND STILL NO HEAT. FINALLY, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE HEATER CORE IS PLUGGED UP AND IT HAS TO BE CHANGED OUT; HOWEVER; THEY NOW TELL ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FIT INTO THEIR TSB AND THEREFORE, THEY WON'T HONOR THE TSB. CALLED HONDA AMERICA AND SPOKE TO 1ST LEVEL, 2ND, AND UP TO 3RD WHICH [XXX] AND EVENTHOUGH THIS IS A COMMON MANUFACTURER DEFECT (ALSO CANNOT BE INTRODUCE FAILURE BY THE CONSUMER), THEY STILL WON'T HONOR THE REPAIRS. TSB CALLS FOR 10 HRS AND PARTS WHICH COULD RUN INTO THOUSANDS FOR COMMON IDENTIFIED AND CONFIRMED BY HONDA. IT'S ABSOLUTELY ABSORB THAT THEY USED WRONG PRODUCTS AND NOW CAUSING PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD WHICH THEY ARE MAKING CONSUMER TO PAY THEM FOR REPAIRS. THIS CLOGGED HEATER CORE NOT ONLY GIVES NO HEAT BUT ALSO COULD CAUSING CAR OVER-HEATING PROBLEM WHICH CAN DAMAGE THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION AT THE SAME TIME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ID
10440024
Incident
Dec 1, 2011
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 1, 2011

FROM ABOUT MARCH OF 2007 WE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR BRAKES, THEY HAD BEEN CHANGED ABOUT TWICE A YEAR. WE THOUGHT CAUSE WE DRIVE AROUND IN A CITY, THE BRAKES WEAR OUT FASTER THAN NORMAL. THEN 2 YEARS LATER WE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR. WE HAD TO GET IT JUMPED START- IT SEVERAL TIMES, BEFORE WE PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY. THOUGH IT HAS BEEN A YEAR FROM THE TIME WE GOT A NEW BATTERY, WE STILL HAD PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE AUTO SHOP SEVERAL TIME, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEN THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND WE TOOK IT IN TO GET THAT FIXED, AND NOW IT DOES NOT START ALL. IT IS NOT THE BATTERY, BECAUSE THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS STILL COME ON. AT 74,0000 MILES WE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING SO MANY FAILURES WITH THIS VEHICLE! *TR

NHTSA ID
10428108
Incident
Mar 1, 2007
Mileage
25,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 30, 2011

CAR DIES WHEN DRIVING. NO PRIOR WARNING BEFORE IT DIES (SUCH AS ILLUMINATION ON PANEL). CAR RPM'S REV UP AND DOWN WHILE IN PARK. WINDSHIELD CRACKS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10410083
Incident
Jun 3, 2011
Mileage
84,900 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 21, 2010

I HAVE A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD IT DIES ON A REGULAR BASIS. I CAN START THE CAR AND LET IT WARM UP BUT IT IS VERY ROUGH AND STILL HAS A TENDENCY TO DIE WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG BUT I HAVE LOOKED AT MANY HONDA ELEMENT OWNER FORUMS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THE ELEMENT. ONCE THE ENGINE DIES, THERE IS STILL BATTERY POWER, BUT LIMITED STEERING CONTROL. IT HAPPENS NEARLY EVERY MORNING 2-3 TIMES AND I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA WHERE IT DOESN'T GET NEARLY AS COLD AS OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD WITH THESE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10301784
Incident
Jan 21, 2010
Mileage
125,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 17, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 68,800.

NHTSA ID
10274124
Incident
Jun 10, 2005
Mileage
68,800 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 6, 2008

2005 HONDA ELEMENT BEGAN RUNNING WARMER THAN NORMAL. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 53K MILES. INTERNET RESEARCH FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND INDICATION THAT FAULTY COOLANT WAS USED BY HONDA AT THE FACTORY. PROBLEMS INCLUDE OVERHEATING, POOR HEAT IN WINTER. INDICATED SOLUTIONS RANGE FROM COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH UP TO REPLACING THE RADIATOR, HEATER CORE, AND ENGINE. HONDA ADMITS NO FAULT. PROBLEMS/REPAIRS STILL BE EVALUATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230099
Incident
Jun 3, 2008
Mileage
53,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 28, 2007

IN MARCH OF 2007 WE HAD A COLD SPELL. I TURNED ON THE HEAT BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. I FORGOT ABOUT IT AS THE SEASONS CHANGED AND IT WARMED UP. SINCE THE WEATHER HAS STARTED TO TURN COLD I'VE TRIED TO TURN THE HEAT ON. IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET LOOKED AT AND THE HEATER CORE HAS BEEN MESSED UP. MY CAR IS A 2005 AND HAS ONLY 52K MILES. I'VE RECEIVED REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON MY VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THE COOLANT PUT IN THE CAR AT THE FACTORY WAS A BAD BATCH AND HAS THEREFORE MESSED UP THE HEATER CORE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10210199
Incident
Nov 26, 2007
Mileage
36,400 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 1, 2005

THERE ARE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE.. NO WARNING AT ALL... THE CAR, A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT STALLS WHILE DRIVING... IN ONE WEEKEND IT DID IT THREE TIMES ONCE AT 62 MPH, ONCE ON A RAMP BETWEEN TWO HIGH SPEED ROADS, AND ONCE IN THE MIDDLE OF A HEAVILY TRAFFIC AND BUSY ROAD IN THE MIDDLE LANE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE. IT IS THERE YET, THEY ARE TRYING TO DUPLICATE IT AND CANNOT.. IT IS DANGEROUS... TO ME AND TO PEOPLE IN MY CAR WITH ME AND TO OTHERS AROUND ME IN OTHER CARS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10130827
Incident
Jul 23, 2005
Mileage
8,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .