CarRecallWatchThe 2009 Honda Element has 8 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA, including 4 crashes, 2 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Suspension (8 reports).
2009 Honda Element recalls
Driver Airbag Inflator Can Explode, Sending Metal Shrapnel
The driver-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles may rupture because its propellant can degrade over time after long-term exposure to high humidity, heat and temperature swings.
Passenger airbag may explode and spray metal shards
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in certain vehicles may rupture due to propellant degradation after long-term exposure to high humidity, heat and temperature cycling.
Driver airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
The driver's frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles may rupture during deployment because of a manufacturing error.
Passenger Airbag Inflator Can Explode, Spraying Metal Fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture over time.
Passenger Front Airbag Can Rupture and Spray Metal Fragments
The passenger-side front airbag inflator in these vehicles may rupture during a crash that requires the front airbags to deploy.
Passenger Airbag May Rupture and Spray Metal Fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Driver Airbag Inflator Can Rupture, Sending Metal Fragments
The driver's frontal airbag inflator can be affected by moisture intrusion and manufacturing variability.
Most common 2009 Honda Element problems
Problem areas named in the 31 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 8 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Structure | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Visibility | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
What owners report
The frame rusted and separated where the rear trail arm connects to the vehicle, so it cannot move.
The car is extremely rusty, so much so that the driver side trailing arm detached from the rest of the frame. The driver side rear suspension components are detached from the car. The car has been garage-kept since new, yet is extremely rusty. This is just like what the Canadian Honda Element recall was all about. The local dealership refused to do anything and said the car was out of warranty.
There is corrosion on the rear trailing arm and surrounding area. Also rust is forming on rear subframe / crossmembers and the front subframe. Over time, this can result in premature structural failure and catastrophic accident. It poses a serious safety risk. It affects the structural integrity of the suspension system. Thereâs no recall even though multiple complaints exist for similar make/model.
Just like the same era's Honda CR-V (the Honda Element's sibling car with many of the same components), the undercarriage rust on my vehicle is excessive: as described in the same era Honda CR-V's NHTSA Recall (23V-228). Sections of my carâs rear frame are rusty. Just like with the CR-V, a recall for the rear frame corrosion first occurred in Canada and then in the US: see NHTSA Recall 23V-228âs chronology. The Honda Element's Canadian recall is as follows: "Transport Canada Recall - 2021024 â HONDA". As of today, there is no NHTSA recall for rear frame corrosion for Honda Elements. I am submitting this complaint for this car now, and also contemporaneously am submitting other complain
Just like the same era's Honda CR-V (the Honda Element's sibling car with many of the same components), the undercarriage rust on my vehicle is excessive: as described in the same era Honda CR-V's NHTSA Recall (23V-228). Large sections of my carâs rear frame are completely missing, as shown in the photographs. My car is now undriveable. I had it towed to two Honda dealerships at my expense and both refused to even look at the car's rust, when I explicitly asked them to determine if the car was safe to drive. Niether dealership would confirm. Honda corporate cited that they were unable to assess the photographs that I sent to it because it does not physically inspect the cars. Honda corpora
2009 Honda Element questions
Does the 2009 Honda Element have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for the 2009 Honda Element: Driver Airbag Inflator Can Explode, Sending Metal Shrapnel; Passenger airbag may explode and spray metal shards; Driver airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger Airbag Inflator Can Explode, Spraying Metal Fragments; Passenger Front Airbag Can Rupture and Spray Metal Fragments. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Honda Element?
Based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Suspension (8), Air Bags (5), Service Brakes (5).
How do I check if a recall on my 2009 Honda Element has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.