repaired · 2020 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2010 Honda ElementProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 30 owner complaints about the 2010 Honda Element, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-499 the manufacturer reports only 22% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 12, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: BuickRiviera99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2010 Honda Element has problems
30 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
7Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
6Suspension
4Service brakes
3Engine
2Electrical system
2Power train
2Visibility
2Exterior lighting
2Structure
88 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 7 | 2 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 |
| Power train | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 |
| 8 other systems | 8 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2010 Honda Element recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2020 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other…
repaired · 2020 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 6 more recalls
repaired · 2019 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2018 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2017 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
no report yet
Electrical system: wiring
Risk. Without trailer turn signal illumination, the driver's intent is not communicated, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE THE KEY TO BE STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, AN INABILITY TO SHIFT INTO OR OUT OF PARK, OR AN INABILITY TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, INCREASING THE…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Honda.
Best & worst years
2010 vs. every other Element year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Element median. How we score
'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2010 Honda Element safety ratings
2010 Honda Element 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 3 stars (20.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2010 Honda Element, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 22V-945
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14V-763
In owners' words
What Element owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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 DEFECTIVE AIRBAG IS…
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 LACERATIONS TO THE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V351000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Own a 2010 Element?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.