2010 Honda ELEMENT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
45,429 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags 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 | 4 | 13.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Visibility | 2 |
Air Bags: 7; Suspension: 6; Service Brakes: 4; Engine: 3; Electrical System: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Power Train: 2; Visibility: 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 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 14 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2011: 4; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 6; 2018: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10396760 · 2011-04-19 (April 19, 2011)
I PURCHASE A HONDA ELEMENT 2010 FROM RAY HONDA ON STRASBOURG ON APRIL, TEST DRIVE IT AND THE BRAKE WENT DOWN TO FLOOR I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIR I DROVE AWAY AND THE SAME PROBLEM PERSIST I BROUGHT IT BACK THEY SAID TO ME THAT I HAVE TO LEAVE WE IT, I TOLL THEM IS DANGEROUS AND THE BRAKE HAS NO STOPPING POWER AND THERE'S IT NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 15,510 miles reported. Look up ODI 10396760 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10586381 · 2014-05-03 (May 3, 2014)
MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE BOTH, INDEPENDENTLY, EXPERIENCED OUR HONDA ELEMENT REVVING ITS ENGINE AND SURGING FORWARD WHEN WE APPLY THE BRAKES. PLEASE WATCH FOR THE COPY OF A LETTER I AM SENDING TO NHTSA BY USPS CERTIFIED #7011 2000 0001 6765 8433.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10586381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11494402 · 2022-11-21 (November 21, 2022)
Drivers side rear trailing arm separated from chassis. This occurred while backing out of a parking spot causing the left rear wheel to turn outward. When this happened I had to turn the steering wheel left to keep vehicle going straight forward and this was at an idling speed. we had just a few days prior returned from an 1800 mile trip. Had this occurred at interstate speeds it most likely would have been catastrophic resulting in serious perhaps fatal consequences. The otherwise great vehicle is not repairable according to the diagnoses fr…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11494402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11625327 · 2024-11-14 (November 14, 2024)
We have had to repair the front suspension parts the entire front suspension and steering component on our 2010 honda element ex and from the very first time we drove it. It never drove right. It would jerk you out of a curve we took it back to the dealer twice and they kept telling us it was because we were not used to driver assist system. Well since then 5 times we have had the front end steering and suspension replaced thousands of dollars! Why has there not been a recall? and from friends responses it's not just the Element, it's Honda Ci…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11625327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11097542 · 2018-05-23 (May 23, 2018)
INTERMITANT SHUDDERING AND LOSS OF POWER UNDER ACCELERATION. TROUBLE CODE P2646
Owner-reported narrative. 89,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11097542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11112877 · 2018-07-21 (July 21, 2018)
MY CAR HAS AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR A TRAILER WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE HAD THE HARNESS INSPECTED BY MY DEALER FOUR TIMES, AND THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT A FACTORY-INSTALLED HARNESS, DESPITE IT BEING IN YOUR DATABASE. THE HARNESS WAS ON THE CAR WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I CANNOT EXPLAIN WHY IT IS DIFFERENT THAN THE RECALLED WIRING HARNESS. I HAD A TRAILER HITCH ADDED TO MY VEHICLE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, BUT THE SHOP DID NOT ADD A WIRING HARNESS BECAUSE ONE WAS ALREADY ON THE CAR. HOWEVER, I USE THE HITCH ONLY TO ATTACH A BIKE RACK. I HAVE NEVER HAULED A TRAILER…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11112877 at NHTSA ↗