CarBrief

The 2005 Honda Element has 159 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, and air bags are the biggest group[1][2]. It also has 7 recalls, so confirm that every one has been done before you buy[3].

159owner complaints[1]
7recalls[3]
20–21MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 159 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 13 mention a crash, 5 a fire and 19 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are owner reports filed with NHTSA.

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries
Air bags[2] 76 11 0 17
Electrical system[5] 16 0 5 0
Engine[6] 13 0 0 0
Suspension[7] 13 0 0 0
Visibility[8] 12 0 2 0
Seats[9] 12 0 0 0
Power train[10] 9 1 0 1
Structure[11] 8 1 0 1

Air bags. This is the largest group, with a median mileage at failure of 80,000[2]. In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe air bags going off with no real crash, for example over a curb or a speed bump, or while parked. A smaller number describe air bags that stayed quiet in a serious crash, or a warning light that stayed on[2].

Engine. In a sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe the engine stalling while driving, often with no warning light. Some texts describe heater and coolant trouble[6].

Electrical system. In the sample we read, three owners describe smoke or a small fire from the driver door window switch. Others describe ignition key or switch trouble[5].

Suspension. In the sample we read, owners describe rust on the underbody and on suspension mounts. Several describe a rear arm or wheel assembly coming loose from the body[7]. None of the recalls listed in the next section names suspension[12][13][14][15][16][17][18].

Each sample is a small set of texts, so none of these themes tells you how common a problem is across all owners.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year[3]. Six are air bag inflator recalls. Each one lists a free fix at a dealer. Newest first:

Honda customer service is at 1-888-234-2138 for the air bag recalls[12]. The transmission recall lists a different number, 1-800-999-1009[18].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine with regular fuel[4]. Ratings depend on drive and transmission.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2WD, automatic 4-speed[4] 19 / 24 / 21 $3,200
2WD, manual 5-speed[19] 19 / 23 / 21 $3,200
4WD, automatic 4-speed[20] 19 / 23 / 20 $3,350
4WD, manual 5-speed[21] 18 / 22 / 20 $3,350

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists the 5-Star Safety Rating for this model year as not rated[22].

Engine and size

The EPA ratings above list a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine[4]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from NHTSA's vPIC database, converted to inches and pounds.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
FWD[23] 169 in 72 in 70 in 102 in 3,384 lb
4WD[24] 169 in 72 in 74 in 102 in 3,596 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

2003: 423 complaints, 10 recalls20032004: 281 complaints, 9 recalls20042005: 159 complaints, 7 recalls15920052006: 122 complaints, 9 recalls20062007: 112 complaints, 10 recalls20072008: 113 complaints, 12 recalls20082009: 31 complaints, 8 recalls20092010: 30 complaints, 10 recalls20102011: 11 complaints, 10 recalls2011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Element model year. The 2005 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200342310
20042819
20051597
20061229
200711210
200811312
2009318
20103010
20111110

NHTSA lists complaints and recalls for each Element model year from 2003 to 2011[3].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so read them as a rough guide only[3].

Should you buy a used 2005 Element?

The records show an Element with a serious air bag history. Six inflator recalls are listed for this model year, and each lists a free replacement at a dealer[12][13][14][15][16][17]. Ask for proof that every recall, including the transmission software update, has been completed[18]. Owners also describe rust on the underbody and suspension mounts in the complaints we read, so have a mechanic look at that area before you pay[7]. The EPA lists 20 to 21 combined MPG for the versions it rates[4][19][20][21].

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Honda Element have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2005 model year[3]. Six are air bag inflator recalls and one covers the transmission control module[12][18].
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Honda Element?
Air bags are the largest complaint group at 76 of 159 complaints[1][2]. In the samples we read, owners also describe stalling, window switch smoke and rear suspension rust[6][5][7].
What is the gas mileage of the 2005 Honda Element?
The EPA lists 21 combined MPG for 2WD and 20 combined MPG for 4WD[4][19][20][21].
Is the 2005 Honda Element a good year compared with other Elements?
It has 159 complaints, third most among the nine years, and 7 recalls, the fewest of those years[3].
Did the 2005 Honda Element get a NHTSA safety rating?
NHTSA lists the 5-Star Safety Rating as not rated[22].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 159 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Honda Element (13 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 19 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 76 complaints name the air bags component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Element model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Element 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 16 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,481). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 13 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 13 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 12 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 12 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 9 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 159,884). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 8 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 19V499, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 19V501, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 17V029, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 16V344, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 15V320, filed May 28, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 11V395, filed August 4, 2011: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm / Pcm / Tecm). NHTSA recall database
  19. EPA rating for Element 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 23 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Element 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Element 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 22 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ELEMENT /Y PACKAGE 4DR SUV FWD: length 169 in, width 72 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,384 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ELEMENT /Y PACKAGE 4DR SUV 4WD: length 169 in, width 72 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,596 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.