(FRONT) STABILIZER LINK ASSEMBLY NOISE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Honda Element suspension problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Honda Element in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
FRONT STABILIZER LINK ASSEMBLY NOISE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NOISE-FRONT STABILIZER LINK ASSEMBLY NOISE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Eleven complaints center on rear suspension failures, with the most serious involving rear control arms and trailing arms separating from the frame. Owners describe the vehicle suddenly becoming uncontrollable—tilting, lurching, or the wheel tucking underneath—often at low speeds but with potential for high-speed disaster. The root cause in most reports is rust corrosion eating through the frame attachment points, particularly at the trailing arm mounts. One owner found the area concealed by a strut during inspection, and several dealers declined to repair the vehicle, calling it unsafe. Failures range from 14,000 to 190,000 miles.
One separate complaint involves a rear axle bushing that deteriorated, with the owner observing that 1-inch stub bolts wore oblong holes in the bushing before it failed and dropped the axle.
Additionally, multiple owners report a loud knocking noise from front and rear suspension when hitting bumps, paired with abnormal tire wear—some reporting two tire sets in 27,000 miles despite rotation and correct alignment.
Owners indicate the issue affects Canadian recalls but found no USA recall coverage despite contacting Honda dealerships and the manufacturer. One independent mechanic remained unable to diagnose the control arm failure.
Same Honda Element suspension reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Rear control arm/trailing arm separation from frame
The rear driver's side control arm or trailing arm separates or pulls away from the frame/subframe, usually due to rust corrosion eating through the attachment points. This causes the wheel to tuck under the vehicle or pull away, resulting in loss of control and the vehicle becoming undrivable.
When: Between 14,000 and 190,000 miles; one incident reported 100 miles after a safety inspection
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle tilts or lurches sideways while accelerating or turning; Rear wheel tucks under the hub or pulls away from the vehicle; Loss of vehicle control or handling; No warning lights or unusual sounds before failure in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer stated entire suspension needed replacement; mechanics called vehicle unsafe to repair in one case; one independent mechanic could not diagnose the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer filed case but provided no assistance in one complaint; vehicle not covered by any unknown recall in Canada or USA according to owner reports
Rear axle bushing failure and separation
The bushing holding the left rear axle to the frame deteriorates and fails, allowing the axle to drop. Owner reports the two 1-inch stub bolts wore an oblong hole in the bushing, suggesting a design flaw causing bushing wear and eventual detachment.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Axle drops from the frame; Damage to tire, wheel, and axle; Owner expresses concern about recurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Owner observed oblong wear pattern in bushing from stub bolts
Suspension noise and accelerated tire wear
Loud knocking or banging noise from front and rear suspension, particularly when hitting dips or entering driveways. Accompanied by premature and abnormal tire wear despite proper rotation and verified alignment. Owner reports same noise on multiple Honda models (Accord, Odyssey, Ridgeline).
When: Occurred within first 27,000 miles of ownership; noted on new vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise described as piano-key banging when hitting dips; Abnormal tire wear rate (second set of tires in 27,000 miles); Noise from both front and rear suspension
Repairs/costs cited: Tires were rotated per manufacturer schedule; vehicle alignment verified as correct
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I was driving and all of a sudden vehicle became hard to control. I got it stopped and noticed drivers side rear tire was sideways. upon inspection I noticed trail arm was broke loose at frame. apparently it had rusted through at the frame.
Had suspension trouble with your 2005 Honda Element?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2005 Honda Element?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 105,920 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Honda/Element.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.