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2005 Honda Element Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2005 Honda Element has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear trailing arm separation from frame corrosion.” Honda vehicles use the Maintenance Minder system — your dashboard displays a Code A (oil change) or Code B (oil change plus inspections) along with sub-codes 1-6 for additional services. Intervals adjust based on how you drive. The schedule below reflects Honda's underlying targets.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2005 Honda Element.

Reported to NHTSA

Rear trailing arm separation from frame corrosion

SUSPENSION

11 NHTSA complaints · 2022-03 → 2025-07

“The contact owns a 2005 Honda Element. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle began to tilt sideways while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle became inoperable”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11676962
“The left rear control arm pulled out of the subframe and floor panel and hit the pavement facing forward, the direction in which the car was moving. The left rear tire pulled out and away from the vehicle, and the car lurched downward. There were sparks”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11582236
“I have a 2005 Honda Element, undercarriage and suspension components have severe rust. I tried to get an inspection from Virginia and it failed immediately due to the rust”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11500896

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield cracking without impact

VISIBILITY

9 NHTSA complaints · 2005-07 → 2009-10

“WINDSHEILD ON 2005 ELEMENT HAS 14 IN CRACK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10128784
“MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED. NOTHING HIT IT, THE WINDSHIELD JUST CRACKED. IT NOW HAS TWO SIGNIFICANT CRACKS FROM THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD ACROSS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10174770
“I HAVE OWNED MY HONDA ELEMENT FOR TWO WEEKS NOW....FIRST TIME ON THE FREEWAY GOING AROUND 65-70 MILES PER HOUR. AT A SUBSTANTIAL FOLLOWING DISTANCE RECIEVED ONE CHIP AND ONE LARGE DING/CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD FROM ONCOMING DEBRIS--ALL WITHIN THE SPACE OF ONE HALF HOUR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10142872

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Driver seat rocking from loose bushings or brackets

SEATS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2009-07 → 2017-10

“DRIVER'S SEAT ROCKS WHEN ACCELERATING OR BRAKING. HONDA HAS ISSUED TSB BUT REFUSES TO COVER COST OF FIX IF VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CAR IS A 2005 BUT THE TSB COVERS ALL VEHICLES FROM 2003-2006”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10278531
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT ROCKED BACK AND FORTH EVERY SINGLE TIME IT WAS USED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10944317

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag deployment without collision or impact

AIR BAGS

30 NHTSA complaints · 2006-03 → 2026-09

“WHILE DRIVING, THE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS 6 MONTHS OLD AT THE TIME AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10151766
“DRIVING TO WORK AT 6:20AM ON 08/27/2010, WHILE EXITING THE 91 FREEWAY (GOING EASTBOUND) AND ENTERING THE 71N TOWARDS CHINO HILLS, MY DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED OUT OF NOWHERE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10352301
“WAS DRIVING ON A GRAVEL ROAD AROUND 30 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND NOTICED THAT SOMETHING HIT MY LEFT ARM. I LOOKED TO THE SIDE AND SAW THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAD DEPLOYED. I DID NOT GET HIT NOR DID I HIT ANYTHING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11364819

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata airbag recall repair parts unavailable

AIR BAGS

16 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2017-04

“WE BROUGHT OUR 2005 ELEMENT INTO THE DEALER ON NOV 3D IN UKIAH CAL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAGS PER THE RECALL OF OCTOBER 28TH, 2014. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVER TAKATA AIRBAG BUT TOLD US THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS NOT MADE BY TAKATA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10652617
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V344000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10970275

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag failure to deploy or partial deployment in a crash

AIR BAGS

10 NHTSA complaints · 2006-02 → 2018-04

“I WAS DRIVING MY HONDA ELEMENT DOWN A FAIRLY BUSY STREET AT 45 MILES AN HOUR. A MAN PULLED OUT OF A STRIP MALL PARKING LOT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. ALTHOUGH I HONKED MY HORN AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, I COULD NOT AVOID HITTING HIM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10151151
“I SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING A CAR AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT. MY CAR LIFTED OFF THE GROUND AND ROLLED 3 TIMES. I GOT THE ELEMENT BECAUSE IT HAD VERY HIGH SAFETY RATINGS. IT ALSO HAD SIDE AIRBAGS WHICH I FOUND ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR AN SUV HOWEVER NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10194210
“ACCIDENT INVOLVING A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. A FRONT END CRASH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND WE HIT THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES. OUR HONDA ELEMENT SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE APPROXIMATE SPEED 30MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10300473

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling without warning while driving

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

7 NHTSA complaints · 2005-08 → 2015-11

“THERE ARE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE.. NO WARNING AT ALL... THE CAR, A 2004 HONDA ELEMENT STALLS WHILE DRIVING... IN ONE WEEKEND IT DID IT THREE TIMES ONCE AT 62 MPH, ONCE ON A RAMP BETWEEN TWO HIGH SPEED ROADS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10130827
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10274124

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power window switch smoke or fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2011-09 → 2014-04

“ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011, UPON STARTING THE IGNITION OF MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT, I NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. AFTER HEARING SOME CRACKLING NOISES FROM THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH, IT SOON POPPED INTO A SMALL FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10425047
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 HONDA ELEMENT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND NOTICED SMOKE AND HEARD A CRACKING SOUND COMING FROM THE MASTER POWER WINDOW SWITCH ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10425562

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Code A)

Every 7,500 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter. The Maintenance Minder triggers Code A between 7,500 and 10,000 miles depending on driving conditions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation (Sub-code 1)

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires front-to-back to even out wear. Honda triggers Sub-code 1 alongside every other oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection (Code B)

Every 15,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake. Code B includes a multi-point inspection of brakes, suspension, and fluids.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid (Sub-code 5)

Every 45,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 3 years regardless of mileage to prevent moisture absorption and corrosion of ABS components.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission / CVT Fluid (Sub-code 3)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace ATF or CVT fluid. Honda CVT models (Civic, HR-V, Accord LX) use Honda HCF-2 — do not substitute. The Maintenance Minder triggers earlier under heavy stop-and-go.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Rear Differential Fluid (AWD models, Sub-code 5)

Every 30,000 mi

AWD CR-V, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline: replace rear diff fluid every 30,000 miles, sooner if towing.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Engine Air Filter (Sub-code 4)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Honda uses a long-life cellulose element on most port-injected engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Honda uses iridium-tipped plugs rated for 100,000+ miles. Replace at 105,000 miles or whenever Sub-code 6 displays.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Coolant (Sub-code 5)

Every 60,000 mi

Honda Long-Life Type 2 (blue) coolant: first change at 120,000 miles, then every 60,000 miles. Do not mix with other coolant types.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter (Sub-code 3)

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter — accessible behind the glove box on most Hondas. Honda recommends 15,000 miles in dusty conditions, longer in clean climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Valve Clearance Adjustment (Sub-code 6)

Every 105,000 mi

Inspect and adjust valve clearances at 105,000 miles. Critical on K-series and L-series engines to prevent valve recession.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$495–$535

Shop

~$345–$375

DIY

Pro only

Mechanical-bucket valvetrains (many Honda 4-cyls, older Toyotas) need this. Hydraulic lifters don't. Shop work — feeler-gauge precision required.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Modern Honda engines (K-series, L-series, R-series, plus all Earth Dreams 1.5T and 2.0T) use a timing chain designed to last the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

74 crashes 1990–2024

How the 74 occupant deaths break down

61

driver deaths

13

passenger deaths

74

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

13

complaints mentioning a crash

5

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2005 Honda Element reflects Honda's published service intervals and the Maintenance Minder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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