2005 HONDA ELEMENT (2 WD) HAS NO HEAT AT ALL WHILE A/C SYSTEM IS WORKING FINE.. COME TO FIND OUT, HONDA RELEASED AN ORIGINAL TSB OF 07-076, AND SINCE THEN REPLACED IT WITH TSB 08-097 WHICH WAS "FAILED HEATER CORE". IT SEEMS THE MANUFACTURER USED WRONG COOLANT AND SO IT CLOGGS UP HEATER CORE. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN LOCAL DEALER FOR 5 DAYS AND THEY TRIED TO BLAME ON EVERYTHING OUTSIDE OF THE HEATER C…
2005 Honda Element engine problems
moderate 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
IN MARCH OF 2007 WE HAD A COLD SPELL. I TURNED ON THE HEAT BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. I FORGOT ABOUT IT AS THE SEASONS CHANGED AND IT WARMED UP. SINCE THE WEATHER HAS STARTED TO TURN COLD I'VE TRIED TO TURN THE HEAT ON. IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET LOOKED AT AND THE HEATER CORE HAS BEEN MESSED UP. MY CAR IS A 2005 AND HAS ONLY 52K MILES. I'VE RECEIVED REGULAR SCHEDULED…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 Honda Element?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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