2010 HONDA ELEMENT Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2010 Honda Element. This model year has 30 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
Before you buy — check the actual VIN
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2010 Honda Element Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Suspension Failures
Brake System
Considering a 2010 Honda Element?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2010 Honda Element. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 7 | 2 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2010 Honda Element. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 30 most recent complaints
Rear trailing arm attachment point to frame is rusting out and will cause the trailing arm to detatch from the frame. Vert little rust anywhere else on the car. This is a wide spread issue and very common with this model. Why is honda not taking this serious?
I had arrived home on 7/17/2025 and was sitting in my parked vehicle under my carport talking on the phone when I heard a very loud bang. I was disoriented and worried that my safety may be at risk, so I asked the person I was speaking to if they would stay on the line with me u…
Left rear trailing arm rusted right out of the mount while driving. I was driving about 10 mph off of a two-way stop, crossing the intersection of [XXX] (straight, no turn) As I got through the intersection the back left end dropped, something metal scraped and halted my vehic…
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 tell…
My name is [XXX] and I am the owner of this vehicle. On [XXX] 2024, my daughter was driving this vehicle at approximately 30 miles per hour when the drivers side rear trailing arm separated from the frame and caused the tire/wheel to destabilize and hung crooked from the side o…
i have had real trouble recently getting my key out of the ignition switch - one time it took me 10 minutes, even tho i had the wheels totally straight & i kept turning engine off & back on many times. (this has happened many times over the past half year or so & occasionally bef…
I've been informed by my mechanic of excessive rust on the rear suspension. The car will not pass state inspection due to safety issues related to this. An appointment has been made with the Honda dealership to confirm. Honda has put out a recall/buy back for the same issue on t…
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. …
The contact owns a 2010 Honda Element. The contact stated that their mechanic had informed them that the vehicle was severely rusted on the underneath of the vehicle. The contact referenced a recall related to the failure however the recall was for Canada manufactured vehicles. T…
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 …
INTERMITANT SHUDDERING AND LOSS OF POWER UNDER ACCELERATION. TROUBLE CODE P2646
AT 118,000 MILES THE ENGINE IN MY 2010 HONDA ELEMENT SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED, IT SHOWED THAT A PISTON HAD STOPPED CREATING HEAT SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO FUSE IT TO THE CYLINDER. PRIOR TO STOPPING THE ONLY SIGN OF AN ISSUE WAS ODD REVVING …
I RECEIVED "TAKATA RECALL" A NOTICE FROM AUTO AIRBAG SETTLEMENT, SETTLEMENT ADMINISTRATOR PO BOX 3207 PORTLAND, OR 97208-3207 AS A CURRENT OWNER AND I WILL TRY TO CONTACT THE ADMINISTRATOR. ALSO I WILL CALL THE HONDA COMPANY ABOUT THIS VEHICLE. RIGHT NOW THE LIGHT INDICATING DE…
"TAKATA RECALL"
I HAVE A 2010 HONDA ELEMENT SC AND IT HAS A VERY SPONGE LIKE BREAK PEDDLE. (HAPPENS STOPED OR DRIVING)IT WILL GO TO THE FLOOR IF IT IS PRESSED HARD ENOUGH. THE BREAK FLUID HAS BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH ALL BREAK PADS AND THE PROBLEM STILL ACCURS. ALL WORK WAS DONE BY DEALERSHIP
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND EVEN THOUGH TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED, LIGHT DOES NOT NOW TURN OFF.
AFTER THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED FROM THE FLOOR LATCH, IT WILL NOT RECONNECT, SO THE SEAT WILL NOT CONNECT TO THE FLOOR. THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH EITHER THE LATCH OR THE BAR ON THE FLOOR THAT THE LATCH CONNECTS TO. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ST…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A SECOND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE OCCUPANT SUSTAINED MULTIPLE L…
BRAKES VERY SPONGY, GOING ALMOST DOWN TO FLOOR, CAUSING A DANGEROUS INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE ON THE HIGHWAY MY MECHANIC BLED THE SYSTEM SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THEN CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER. STILL SPONGY, THEN THE MECHANIC CHECKED FOR HONDA SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VSA MODULE CONTROL…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2010 Honda Element.
Recalls for 2010 Honda Element
11 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2010 Honda Element. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2010 Honda Element — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2010 Honda Element reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2010 Honda Element has 30 NHTSA owner complaints, 2 crash-related, and 11 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (7 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Honda Element?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (7 complaints). #2: Suspension Failures (6 complaints). #3: Brake System (5 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2010 Honda Element?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2010 Honda Element?▾
The 2010 Honda Element has 2 crash-related complaints and 0 fire reports out of 30 total NHTSA complaints. 5 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2010 Honda Element have any recalls?▾
Yes — 11 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2010 Honda Element. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2010 Honda Element?▾
The 2010 Honda Element has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Honda Element reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2010 Honda Element
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.