2010 Honda Element: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2010 Honda Element: 10 recalls, 30 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
10 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #10V361000 · 2010 · 585 vehicles
What's wrong: During assembly process, the cable that connects the shift lever to the transmission was not set correctly at the shift lever bracket. As a result the driver May move the gear shift lever but the transmission May not be placed in the selected gear.
Why it matters: 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 risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda has contacted some owners by phone and arranged to, have, or has had, their vehicles repaired free of charge. All other owners will be notified by mail. Dealers will correctly set the shift cable bushing. The safety recall began on August 9, 2010.
Trailer hitch, Electrical Vehicle recall #12V436000 · 2012 · 5,216 vehicles
What's wrong: The wire that supplies power to the trailer turn signal lights was inadvertently switched with the stop lamp wire. As a result the turn signals only illuminate when the brake lamps are illuminated. This does not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Without trailer turn signal illumination, the driver's intent is not communicated, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on September 20, 2012.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V320000 · 2015 · 6,281,043 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2001-2004 Honda civic gx, 2003-2005 Honda civic hybrid, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, 2006 ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2cl, 2003-2006 Acura mdx, and 2002-2003 Acura 3.2tl vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that May be susceptible…
Why it matters: 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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V344000 · 2016 · 1,790,894 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura mdx, 2005-2011 Acura rl, 2005-2006 Honda cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007-2008 fit, 2003-2008 pilot, 2002-2004 odyssey, and 2006-2011 ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the…
Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2016.
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V029000 · 2017 · 308,884 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura mdx and Honda cr-v vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura rl vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american…
Why it matters: An inflator rupture May result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall bagan March 2017.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V041000 · 2018 · 24,945 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Acura rl, 2010 Honda element, and 2010-2013 Honda ridgeline vehicles ever registered in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." additionally, Honda is recalling certain…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2018.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V662000 · 2018 · 57,095 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda ridgeline vehicles nationwide. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2012 Acura rl, 2011 Honda element and 2011-2013 ridgeline vehicles in arizona, arkansas, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee,…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V182000 · 2019 · 1,101,534 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2cl, 2013-2016 ilx, 2013-2014 ilx hybrid, 2003-2006 mdx, 2007-2016 rdx, 2002-2003 3.2tl, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 tl, 2010-2013 zdx and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007 fit, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014…
Why it matters: 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 occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V499000 · 2019 · 3,947 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2cl, 2002-2003 3.2tl, 2003-2006 mdx, 2001-2007 Honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot and 2006 ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019.
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V501000 · 2019 · 1,657,752 vehicles
What's wrong: Honda (american Honda motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura mdx, 2005-2012 rl, 2003-2007 Honda accord, 2001-2005 civic, 2003-2005 civic hybrid, 2001-2005 civic gx ngv, 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2011 element, 2007-2008 fit, 2002-2004 odyssey, 2003-2008 pilot, and 2006-2014 ridgeline vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Speed control / throttle Equipment recall #19E068000 · 2019 · 3,744 vehicles
What's wrong: Dorman products, Inc. (dorman) is recalling certain accelerator pedal assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura mdx, 2004-2008 Acura tl and tsx, 2003-2007 Honda accord, 2005-2006 Honda cr-v, 2007-2011 Honda element, 2005-2008 Honda pilot and 2006-2014 Honda ridgeline vehicles. The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly May bind. As such, these vehicles…
Why it matters: If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine May not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dorman will notify owners, and qualified service facilities will replace the affected accelerator pedal assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2019.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (7): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Suspension (6): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (4), steering problems (2).
- Brakes (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2010 Honda Element has 30 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 9 Element model years for complaints (well below the 142 average). Complaints peaked in 2017 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 45,429 miles. Neighboring years: 2009 (31 complaints, 8 recalls), 2011 (11 complaints, 10 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2010 Honda Element.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2010 Honda Element have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 vehicle recalls for the 2010 Honda Element, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2010 Honda Element problems?
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (7), suspension (6), brakes (4).
What gas mileage does the 2010 Honda Element get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2010 Honda Element repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.