2009 Honda ELEMENT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 30 complaints (23.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 30.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 7 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
Suspension: 7; Air Bags: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Steering: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Structure:Frame And Members: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2010: 5; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 3; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10321262 · 2010-03-21 (March 21, 2010)
SINCE NEW (DAY ONE) HAVE HAD SOFT BRAKE PEDDLE. DEALER SAYS NORMAL, BUT I DON'T THINK SO AS I HAVE DRIVEN 100S OF VEHICLES IN MY 50 YEARS OF DRIVING AND ONLY FELT THIS MUSHY BRAKE PEDAL WHEN EXPERIENCING A MASTER CYLINDER INTERNAL LEAK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10321262 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10331758 · 2010-05-22 (May 22, 2010)
SOFT BRAKE PEDAL ON 2009 HONDA ELEMENT LX AWD. BRAKE PEDAL MAY GO ALMOST TO THE FLOOR SO THAT FOOT HITS GAS PEDAL WHEN BRAKING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10331758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10322098 · 2010-03-25 (March 25, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON SMOOTH ROAD SURFACE. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. ALSO, TRAVELING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED LESS SHAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE SECOND DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,120. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10322098 at NHTSA ↗