Honda Element problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 29 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Honda Element? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- brakes — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 33,000 mi · ~$450 to fix
- airbags — 5 owner reports · tends to show around 67,130 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- suspension — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 146,333 mi · ~$900 to fix
- steering — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 1,500 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 33,000 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is airbags (~$1,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2009 Honda Element
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I was driving my Honda element 2009 on a hwy in sc. The car was in motion and I had a green light and the car was moving forward when a woman who was driving in the opposite direction, made a left turn in the intersection failing to yield me the right of way. My car impacted her…
Interim shaft bearing broken - replaced by two different dealer service departments at 20k miles in june 2014 and also at 30k miles in dec 2015 with ordinary suburban driving
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Honda element. While parking the vehicle, the contact applied the emergency brake; however, the vehicle accelerated, drove over a curb, and crashed into a parked and unoccupied vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The air bags did…
Brake pedal is soft and goes to the floor when the engine is running. When the engine is off the pedal is hard and does not go to the floor.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 2 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA15001 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2009 Honda Element reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Honda Element is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Honda Element?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Honda Element does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Honda Element?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 8 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 33,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Honda Element a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 29 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 33,000 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Honda Element?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 8 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 33,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 33,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Honda Element has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Honda Element?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 29 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.