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.
2011 Honda ElementProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 11 owner complaints about the 2011 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 December 3, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 Honda Element has problems
11 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
6Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
2Visibility
1Seat belts1 crash/fire/injury
1Steering
1Suspension
1Traction control system
1Wheels
1Power train
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 6 | 1 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 |
| Traction control system | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 |
| Power train | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2011 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 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An incorrectly installed air bag may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
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
2011 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
2011 Honda Element safety ratings
2011 Honda Element SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- 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 2011 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-428
In owners' words
What Element owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, SHE HAD NOTICED THAT AN EXTENSION LADDER AND DEBRIS HAD LANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IN ORDER TO AVOID THE OBJECTS, THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER BEHIND HER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE SAME TURN AT THE SAME TIME…
TAKATA RECALL MY COMPLAINT IS THAT WE RECEIVED THE LETTER FROM HONDA IN JULY 2016 ABOUT THE AIR BAG RECALL. THE LETTER ADVISES US TO AVOID HAVING A PASSENGER SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT. THAT IT'S NOT YET REPAIRED IS JUST AGGRAVATING. FOR SIX MONTHS, WE'VE HAD TO AVOID A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER, OR FEEL…
TAKATA RECALL: I WAS ADVISED THAT IT WOULD POSSIBLY TAKE LONGER THAN A 3 MONTH WAIT UNTIL THE REPAIR KIT EVEN ARRIVED AT THE FACILITY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY "DON'T MAKE THAT VEHICLE ANY MORE" AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE MY FAMILY OF 4 RIDE IN THE REAR SEATS FOR SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS A 4 SEAT VEHICLE.…
Own a 2011 Element?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.