2007 Honda Element Owner Complaints

Rear Trailing Arm Rusted Out, Car Can not be repaired per two citified mechanics.

NHTSA ID

11666910

Incident

Jun 9, 2025

The contact owns a 2007 Honda Element. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V436000 (Electrical System, Trailer Hitches) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The contact was advised by the local dealer that the vehicle was not eligible for recall repairs due to the title being salvaged and that the part was not an attachment for the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues.

NHTSA ID

11632646

Incident

Dec 27, 2024

While driving up my driveway on the way home the left swing arm seperated from the unibody allowing the left rear wheel to move aft jamming the left rear tire into the rear inside fender effectively locking that wheel at about a 20 degree angle.

NHTSA ID

11612430

Incident

Sep 3, 2024

The rest frame has rusted from the inside out, frame actually broke when going in for repairs. Was raised on lift for basic brake repair and the frame separated on the rear driver side. Same exact issue that was recalled in crvs of same year.

NHTSA ID

11608187

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

Left rear trailing arm completely broke off while I was on the highway. Very unsafe. This Element needs to be recalled, like the CRV. It was recalled in Canada. This is absolutely dangerous and I could have died.

NHTSA ID

11604942

Incident

Jul 12, 2024

Brought vehicle (2007 Honda Element) to have new brakes and tires put on vehicle. Discovered rusted through rear frame. Declined to finish work of vehicle upgrades due to being unsafe to further drive vehicle. Mechanic said he didn't feel comfortable working on vehicle in the condition. Suggested taking to body shop to attempt replacing but would cost more than vehicle was worth. Suggested taking to dealer and seeing if they would offer recall since one was issued in Canada a couple years ago. He wouldn't recommend driving vehicle due to potential break and loss of control of vehicle rear control arms.

NHTSA ID

11550530

Incident

Oct 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2007 Honda Element. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the rear end of the vehicle became unstable and the rear driver's side wheel failed rendering the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to a friend's home and later examined by a local mechanic who diagnosed that the rear driver's side suspension swing arm had fractured due to severe rusting and corrosion of the vehicle's subframe. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 169,000.

NHTSA ID

11549609

Incident

Oct 10, 2023

Mileage

169,000 mi

I was driving with my family to the local fair a few miles from home. When the steering got loose around a sharp bend at 35-40 mph. I was able to keep control and slow to where I could safely look at issues. Thankfully I was going slow. The mount for the rear trailing arm pulled out of the mounting location on the driver side.

NHTSA ID

11545322

Incident

Sep 16, 2023

We are trying to sell our 2007 Honda Element and have found there is extensive rust under the car, likely due to the NY road salt. We have older cars in the family / area without this problem. We found out Canada has issued a recall over this matter. I have lost confidence that our car is safe to drive, well before the expected end of serviceable life. Can you have Honda remedy this situation

NHTSA ID

11543459

Incident

Sep 7, 2023

Rusted detached rear trailing arm. This is the same part involved in the Honda CR-V recall. This recall should be extended to the Honda Element which is on the same platform.

NHTSA ID

11520604

Incident

May 4, 2023

The left rear trailing arm mount is very rusty as is the inner rocker. This is a problem with both the CRV and Element ,it's a safety issue because the mount can detach and cause a accident. This vehicle has had a yearly inspection in my state and has passed I am concerned it won't in the future because of trailing arm rust. The element are built on the same platform as the CRV witch is being recalled for this problem. The elements are being recalled in Canada for this problem.

NHTSA ID

11516442

Incident

Jan 9, 2023

Rear suspension failure due to excessive corrosion. Fortunately failure occurred at low speed. Total loss of control would have happened at high speed. Independent body shops confirm this damage is not repairable. Please note that there is a recall for Honda Elements in Canada for the same defect. I called American Honda and they deny any knowledge of this defect in the U.S.

NHTSA ID

11485878

Incident

Sep 18, 2022

REAR SUSPENSION FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE CHASSIS COROSION. FORTUNATELY FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED. TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL WOULD RESULT AT HIGH SPEED. INDEPENDENT BODY SHOPS CONFIRM THIS DEFECT IS NOT REAIRABLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR HONDA ELEMENTS IN CANADA FOR THIS SAME DEFECT. I CALLED AMERICAN HONDA AND THEY DENY ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS DEFECT IN THE U.S.

NHTSA ID

11485834

Incident

Sep 18, 2022

The frame of the vehicle has rusted out at the bolt where the rear trailing arm connects to the frame. The rust has caused the vehicle to fail Maine State Inspection. This vehicle defect has led to a recall in Canada: “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).” https://recallmonitor.ca/recall/2021024 Maine and New Hampshire, where this vehicle has been registered for its entire life, are areas of heavy road salt usage. According to Honda Canada, “ A rear trailing arm that separates could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.” The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. It was inspected by a garage certified to provide Maine State Inspections. The manufacturer has acknowledged the defect in Canada. There were no warning lamps related to this issue.

NHTSA ID

11455411

Incident

Oct 14, 2021

While driving, without notice at all, the drivers side rear suspension ,wheel, and all the holds it together became dislocated/disassembled from the car while going about 40mph. Upon further investigation, I found the whole frame mount for the rear suspension had completely rotted away and caused this whole issue. NO PRIOR WARNING AT ALL!! This is a potentiality deadly issue.. I had just come off the highway doin 70 mph... if this would of happened there...it would of been a completely different outcome. The year/make/model of my vehicle has already been recalled for this issue.. BUT my vin # wasn't included?.?.?. THIS IS WRONG!! THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NO AMOUNT OF MAINTENANCE WILL STOP!!

NHTSA ID

11434972

Incident

Sep 11, 2021

The contact owns a 2007 Honda Element. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the contact drove over a pothole and noticed that the driver’s side control arm on the rear axle fractured and detached from the vehicle, causing the rear driver’s side tire to stick out from underneath the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was inspected and diagnosed. The contact was informed that rust and corrosion on the rear axle had caused the failure and that the axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ID

11431078

Incident

Aug 28, 2021

Mileage

102,000 mi

HO 11851603 LAST KNOWN MILES FROM HO (AIRBAG RECALL SERVICE)

NHTSA ID

11390089

Incident

Jan 13, 2017

ODOMETER ROLLED BACK IN RE-SALE; RESULT OF RETURN DUE TO NATURAL DISASTER. (2000MILES)

NHTSA ID

11390087

Incident

Oct 27, 2016

DURING NORMAL DRIVING, NO HARD BRAKING INVOLVED, THE PASSENGER SEATBELT CONSISTENTLY LOCKS UP - CAUSING MY PASSENGERS TO BE LOCKED IN PLACE. IT LOCKS IF A PASSENGER LEANS FORWARD TO REMOVE SOMETHING FROM THE DASH CUBBIES (WHICH ARE JUST OUTSIDE OF ARMS REACH BUT WELL WITHIN NORMAL RANGE REACH). IT LOCKS IF THE PASSENGER LEANS TO REACH BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. IT SEEMS AS IF THE BELT HAS BEEN DESIGNED TOO SHORT OR THE LOCKING MECHANISM OVERLY SENSITIVE. SHOULD A COLLISION HAPPEN WHILE LOCKED, THERE WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY NO GIVE AND COULD CAUSE THEM SIGNIFICANT HARM.

NHTSA ID

11388604

Incident

Jan 16, 2021

VSA LIGHT COMES ON AND TURNS OFF INTERMITTENTLY..AND AT TIMES IT HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO JERK AND NOT RUN RIGHT WHEN GOING ABOVE 2500RPM..THEN THE LIGHT WILL GO AWAY BUT THE CEL INDICATOR WILL STAY ON ...AT MY WITS END AND DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO

NHTSA ID

11364722

Incident

Jan 15, 2020

Mileage

139,624 mi

THE SRS SENSOR IS BAD DUE TO AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL BEING RECALLED AND REPLACED IS PART OF THE SYSTEM THAT AIR BAG FUNCTIONS BY. I BELIEVE THE OR ALL PARTS SHOULD RECALLED

NHTSA ID

11308137

Incident

Feb 3, 2020

Mileage

72,000 mi

THE INDICATORS ON MY ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER FELL OFF INTO MY DASH, EMITTING THE BACKGROUND LIGHT. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME AND PARKED IT .WHEN I STOPPED BOTH INDICATORS FELL. I DID NOT HIT ANY POT HOLES OR BUMPS. I HAVE READ IN YOUR COMPLAINTS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE, THE LIGHT IS VERY BRIGHT AND I HAD TO PLACE TAPE OVER IT TO AVOID THE GLARE VERY DANGEROUS OTHERWISE.. I CAN NO LONGER TELL MY SPEED. MY GAS INDICATOR DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ACCURATE EITHER AS IT FALLS BELOW THE EMPTY LINE.

NHTSA ID

11298332

Incident

Dec 21, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT LATER EXPERIENCED PAIN IN THE LEFT ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S LOT TO BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 09915922. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 310,000.

NHTSA ID

11258997

Incident

Sep 21, 2019

Mileage

310,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL: THIS IS REGARDING A 2007 HONDA ELEMENT. WE HAVE NOT OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2007, AND PROBABLY TRADED IT ON ANOTHER CAR. IT'S BERN SUCH A LONG TIME, WE DO NOT REMEMBER WHICH DEALER WE DEALT WITH. WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS RECALL NOTICES FROM HONDA, AND EACH TIME, BY PHONE OR RESPONSE CARD, HAVE INFORMED THEM THAT WE NO LONGER OWN THE CAR. PLEASE UPDATE YOUR RECORDS, AND TAKE US OFF OF THE NOTIFICATION LIST. WE WILL NO LONGER RESPOND TO NOTICES REGARDING THIS CAR. IT'S ANNOYING THAT HONDA IS UNABLE TO UPDATE THEIR RECORDS WITH OUR NUMEROUS CONTACTS WITH THEM. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

11241460

Incident

Aug 3, 2019

RECALL ON THE VEHICLE IS FOR A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS FOR THE TRAILER HITCH. MY VEHICLE HAS A TRAILER HITCH AND WIRES INSIDE THE VEHICLE, BUT APPARENTLY THE HITCH ISN'T OEM, SO "IT DOESN'T MATTER" ACCORDING TO NELSON HONDA AT 2500 GREENSBORO ROAD, MARTINSVILLE, VA 24112. HONDA WOULDN'T HAVE INCLUDED THE VIN UNLESS IT HAD THE PART THAT NEEDS FIXING, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T MATTER FOR MY CAR. IF IT DOESN'T MATTER, THE RECALL SHOULD BE CLEARED FROM MY VIN, BUT I SUSPECT THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO DO THE WORK SINCE THE HITCH ISN'T OEM BUT THE WIRING STILL IS. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE HITCH WASN'T THERE'S SO IT WOULDN'T MATTER, BUT IT'S THE LIGHTS/POWER CONNECTOR. THE ONLY REASON I DIDN'T PURSUE THIS ORIGINALLY IS BECAUSE I'M NOT TOWING ANYTHING, HOWEVER I EXPECT THIS TO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE AND I'M HAVING OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE DEALERSHIP IN NOT VERIFYING PARTS I PURCHASE SEPARATELY BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO USE (VOIDING RETURN POLICY) SO THAT I HAVE TO BUY THEIR PARTS INSTEAD.

NHTSA ID

11195821

Incident

Dec 12, 2018