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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2007 Honda ElementRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 112 owner complaints for the 2007 Honda Element. Most complaints involve air bags (27) and electrical system (22). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
12campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
112
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

12 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

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 fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 124, "Accelerator Control Systems."

Vehicle speed controlReported Oct 10, 2019NHTSA 19E068000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V499000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 27, 2019NHTSA 19V501000
See all 12 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

112 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2007 – Jun 2025
  1. Air bags27
  2. Electrical system22
  3. Suspension14
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic11
  5. Engine7
  6. Visibility7
  7. Structure6
  8. Power train5
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Element model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003450
2004281
2005159
2006122
2007112
2008113
200931
201030
201111
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

27 reports4 crashes
“THE SRS SENSOR IS BAD DUE TO AIR BAG STEERING WHEEL BEING RECALLED AND REPLACED IS PART OF THE SYSTEM THAT AIR BAG FUNCTIONS BY. I BELIEVE THE OR ALL PARTS SHOULD RECALLED”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2020Air bagsODI 11308137

Electrical system

22 reports
“The contact owns a 2007 Honda Element. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V436000 (Electrical System, Trailer Hitches) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The contact was advised by the local dealer that the vehicle was not eligible for recall repairs due to the title being salvaged and that the part was not an attachment for the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 27, 2024Electrical system, Trailer hitchesODI 11632646

Suspension

14 reports2 crashes
“While driving up my driveway on the way home the left swing arm seperated from the unibody allowing the left rear wheel to move aft jamming the left rear tire into the rear inside fender effectively locking that wheel at about a 20 degree angle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2024SuspensionODI 11612430
All 2007 Element problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Element 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202522$2,900404
Element 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050423
Element 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182320$3,200444
Element 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182320$3,200444
  • Element 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Element 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Element 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Element 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Honda Element as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 2132
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2007 Element questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Honda Element have?

12 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Honda Element problems?

Owners filed 112 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (27), electrical system (22), suspension (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Honda Element get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Honda Element at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026