CarRecallWatchThe 2010 Honda Element has 10 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, including 2 crashes, 5 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Air Bags (7 reports).
2010 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 may explode and spray metal
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture because its propellant degrades over long-term exposure to high humidity, heat and temperature cycling.
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 2010 Honda Element problems
Problem areas named in the 30 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Visibility | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
What owners report
Rear trailing arm attachment point to frame is rusting out and will cause the trailing arm to detatch from the frame. Vert little rust anywhere else on the car. This is a wide spread issue and very common with this model. Why is honda not taking this serious?
I had arrived home on 7/17/2025 and was sitting in my parked vehicle under my carport talking on the phone when I heard a very loud bang. I was disoriented and worried that my safety may be at risk, so I asked the person I was speaking to if they would stay on the line with me until I made it inside. I stepped out of the vehicle and was walking around the back of it when I noticed the rear quarter panel window on the passenger side was completely shattered. There was glass on the outside and inside of my vehicle, and nothing around my vehicle that would have caused it (i.e. rocks, sticks, people outside, etc.). I called the Honda Service Line to report the problem after reading that other
Left rear trailing arm rusted right out of the mount while driving. I was driving about 10 mph off of a two-way stop, crossing the intersection of [XXX] (straight, no turn) As I got through the intersection the back left end dropped, something metal scraped and halted my vehicle. I did not run over any bumps or potholes. It just happened with no external cause. It was my rear tailing arm dragging on the road (see pictures). Which had detached from the arm mount above. Luckily, I was no longer on the highway when it happened. Had I been driving at 55 or 60mph it would have caused a serious accident, which is very scary. The vehicle is in great condition otherwise. It recently had new t
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 telling us it was because we were not used to driver assist system. Well since then 5 times we have had the front end steering and suspension replaced thousands of dollars! Why has there not been a recall? and from friends responses it's not just the Element, it's Honda Civic and Honda Accord also, the parts are made too short. Honda even has a extension kit but you can't buy it! Why has there been NO recall?
My name is [XXX] and I am the owner of this vehicle. On [XXX] 2024, my daughter was driving this vehicle at approximately 30 miles per hour when the drivers side rear trailing arm separated from the frame and caused the tire/wheel to destabilize and hung crooked from the side of the rear of the vehicle. It appears that the frame around the trailing arm mount rusted completely away. My daughter lost control and luckily was able to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road. Evidently, there is a recall from Honda in Canada for this issue, but not in the U.S. This is very dangerous and my daughter is very lucky that the catastrophic failure didn't happen when she was on the highway.
2010 Honda Element questions
Does the 2010 Honda Element have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls for the 2010 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 may explode and spray metal; Passenger Airbag Inflator Can Explode, Spraying Metal Fragments. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Honda Element?
Based on 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (7), Suspension (6), Service Brakes (4).
How do I check if a recall on my 2010 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.