What are the most common 2010 Honda Element problems?

Owners name air bags most often, then suspension and brakes.

Does the 2010 Honda Element have recalls?

Yes. The by-year data lists recalls for this model year. The full list is in the Recalls section of this page.

Is the 2010 Honda Element reliable?

NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on file. Read the complaint groups above and the by-year section to judge for yourself.

What mpg does the 2010 Honda Element get?

See the Fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Which year of the Honda Element is best?

See the by-year comparison on this page, which lines up complaints and recalls for each year.

2010 Honda Element Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Honda Element^[1]. The by-year data also lists 10 recalls for this model year^[2].

30owner complaints^[1]

10recalls^[2]

20–22MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners named most, biggest first.

Air Bags. 7 complaints^[4]. Owners describe a crash where the side curtain bags did not open, and others describe waiting on parts after an air bag notice. One owner says a warning light stays on.
Suspension. 6 complaints^[5]. In the stories we read, rear suspension rust is a worry. Owners describe a rear arm coming loose from the frame while driving at low speed. Another owner describes front parts that never felt right.
Brakes. 5 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a soft pedal that sinks toward the floor. Some say new fluid and pads did not fix it.
Engine. 3 complaints^[7]. Owners describe surging when the brakes are pressed, and one describes an engine that failed without much warning.
Visibility. 2 complaints^[8].
Electrical System. 2 complaints^[9].
Exterior Lighting. 2 complaints^[10].
Structure. 2 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 Element is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (19V499), June 2019. About 3,947 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V501), June 2019. About 1,657,752 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (19V182), March 2019. About 1,101,534 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V662), September 2018. About 57,095 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V041), January 2018. About 24,945 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V029), January 2017. About 308,884 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V344), May 2016. About 1,790,894 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (15V320), May 2015. About 6,281,043 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[19]
Trailer Hitches (12V436), September 2012. About 5,216 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[20]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl) (10V361), August 2010. About 585 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[21]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Element 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[3]	20 / 25 / 22	$3,050
Element 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	18 / 23 / 20	$3,350
Element 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[23]	19 / 24 / 21	$3,200
Element 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[24]	18 / 23 / 20	$3,350

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR AWD/FWD^[25]	n/a	n/a	n/a	3	20.4%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2010 Honda Element with electric motor^[26]	166 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
ELEMENT 4DR SUV AWD EX^[27]	169 in	72 in	70 in	102 in	3,578 lb
ELEMENT 4DR SUV FWD LX/EX/SC^[28]	169 in	72 in	70 in	102 in	3,444 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Element model year. The 2010 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2003	423	10
2004	281	9
2005	159	7
2006	122	9
2007	112	10
2008	113	12
2009	31	8
2010	30	10
2011	11	10

NHTSA's counts for the Element show 30 complaints and 10 recalls for 2010^[2]. Among the 9 model years listed, 1 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 7 have more^[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2011 (11) and the most are for 2003 (423)^[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2010 Element?

These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name more than one group^[1]. Air bags lead the list, and they are also the group tied to the crashes and injuries in the data^[4]. Suspension and brakes follow, with no crashes or injuries named in those groups^[5]^[6]. The model year also has recalls on file^[2]. If you shop for one, check that open recall work is done and have a mechanic look at the rear suspension and brakes.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common 2010 Honda Element problems?: Owners name air bags most often, then suspension and brakes^[4]^[5]^[6].
Does the 2010 Honda Element have recalls?: Yes. The by-year data lists recalls for this model year^[2]. The full list is in the Recalls section of this page.
Is the 2010 Honda Element reliable?: NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on file^[1]. Read the complaint groups above and the by-year section to judge for yourself.
What mpg does the 2010 Honda Element get?: See the Fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
Which year of the Honda Element is best?: See the by-year comparison on this page, which lines up complaints and recalls for each year.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Honda Element

2003 423 complaints, 10 recalls
2005 159 complaints, 7 recalls
2006 122 complaints, 9 recalls
2007 112 complaints, 10 recalls
2008 113 complaints, 12 recalls
2010 this page
2011 11 complaints, 10 recalls

Compare all model years of the Honda Element

Other Honda models from 2010

2010 Honda Accord 641 complaints, 13 recalls
2010 Honda Civic 413 complaints, 8 recalls
2010 Honda CR-V 481 complaints, 15 recalls
2010 Honda Fit 184 complaints, 12 recalls
2010 Honda Insight 119 complaints, 10 recalls
2010 Honda Odyssey 255 complaints, 1 recall

All Honda models

Similar cars from 2010: suvs

2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser 66 complaints, 10 recalls
2010 Toyota Land Cruiser 3 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 Acura MDX 45 complaints, 1 recall
2010 Buick Enclave 275 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 Cadillac SRX 474 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 Chevrolet Equinox 784 complaints, 3 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 30 owner complaints on file for the 2010 Honda Element (2 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Honda Element model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Element 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
7 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
3 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
2 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 19V499, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V501, filed June 27, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V182, filed March 6, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V662, filed September 27, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V041, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V029, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V344, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V320, filed May 28, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V436, filed September 5, 2012: Trailer Hitches. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V361, filed August 4, 2010: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Element 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Element 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Element 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD/FWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2010 Honda Element with electric motor: rated 166 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ELEMENT 4DR SUV AWD EX: length 169 in, width 72 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,578 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ELEMENT 4DR SUV FWD LX/EX/SC: length 169 in, width 72 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,444 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.

2010 Honda Element: problems, recalls and fuel economy