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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2011 Honda ElementRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints for the 2011 Honda Element. Most complaints involve air bags (6) and visibility (2). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
11campaigns
Latest Oct 2019
Owner complaints
11
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

11 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 2003-2006 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

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
See all 11 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

11 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2014 – Dec 2020
  1. Air bags6
  2. Visibility2
  3. Seat belts1
  4. Steering1
  5. Suspension1
  6. Wheels1
  7. Power train1
  8. Traction control system1
  9. Other / unknown1

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
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
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

6 reports1 crash
“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 INTO THE RIGHT LANE WHICH CAUSED A COLLISION. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON COLLISION. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED TO RELEASE UPON DEPRESSION OF THE DRIVER SEAT BELT BUTTON. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WAS TRAPPED IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY THE COUNTY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. BOTH DRIVERS WERE TREATED AT THE SCENE AND HAD THEIR VITALS TAKEN, NEITHER DRIVER NEEDED FURTHER MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT SCENE. DUE TO THE ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE IT REMAINED UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2020Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 11377818

Visibility

2 reports
“SUN VISOR WILL NOT STAY UP AND IS BLOCKING VISIBILITY OF THE ROAD AHEAD. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I SEE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH SIMILAR MODELS OF HONDA. IT SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL FOR HONDA AS IT MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2014VisibilityODI 10608461

Seat belts

1 report1 crash
All 2011 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

3 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 · 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
202422$2,900404
Element 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050423
Element 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
182220$3,200444
  • Element 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 24 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 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 22 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

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Honda Element as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 552Vehicle 291
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

2011 Element questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Honda Element have?

11 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 2011 Honda Element problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (6), visibility (2), seat belts (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Honda Element get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Honda Element at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026