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ProblemsByVinFile / 2010-HONDA-ELEMENTNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
Honda
2010 Honda Element problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 30 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2010 Honda Element has 30 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 6 complaints, typically surfacing around 53,700 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 Element?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
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 2010 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
airbags — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 53,700 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
suspension — 5 owner reports
· ~$900 to fix
brakes — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 37,637 mi · ~$450 to fix
visibility — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 6,000 mi · ~$350 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 53,700 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 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.
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.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2010 Element· lighting
I received "takata recall" a notice from auto airbag settlement, settlement administrator po box 3207 portland, or 97208-3207 as a current owner and I will try to contact the administrator. Also I will call the Honda company about this vehicle. Right now the light indicating…
Drivers side rear trailing arm separated from chassis. This occurred while backing out of a parking spot causing the left rear wheel to turn outward. When this happened I had to turn the steering wheel left to keep vehicle going straight forward and this was at an idling speed.…
We have had to repair the front suspension parts the entire front suspension and steering component on our 2010 honda element ex and from the very first time we drove it. It never drove right. It would jerk you out of a curve we took it back to the dealer twice and they kept…
Had a problem with your 2010 Honda Element?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Honda is recalling certain model year 2010 element automatic transmission vehicles manufactured from april 1, 2010 through june 25, 2010
This can cause the key to be stuck in the ignition switch, an inability to shift into or out of park, or an inability to shift into reverse, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Honda has contacted some owners by phone and arranged to, have, or has had, their vehicles repaired free of charge. All other owners will be notified by mail. Dealers will correctly set the shift cable bushing. The safety recall began on august 9, 2010. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Under investigation
2 open at NHTSA
EAAir Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
EAAir Bags › Frontal · opened February 2015
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA15001 on NHTSA →
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 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 2010 Honda Element?
On the NHTSA data, the 2010 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 8.2/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. 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 2010 Honda Element?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 6 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 53,700 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 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 2010 Honda Element a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 30 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 53,700 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 2010 Honda Element?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 53,700 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 53,700 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 2010 Honda Element?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 30 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Honda/Element.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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