Is the Honda Element reliable?

Our reliability score for the Honda Element is 8/10 (80/100), which puts it as strongly reliable. Most owners report 200,000+ miles with proper maintenance. RepairPal rates it 4/5.

How much does it cost to own a Honda Element per year?

Total estimated annual ownership cost for a Honda Element is approximately $2,180 for a 25-year-old male driver. This includes fuel at current US average prices, insurance, scheduled maintenance, tires, and oil changes. The 40-year-old female estimate is $1,980.

What is the Honda Element gas mileage?

EPA combined fuel economy for the Honda Element is 22 MPG, with 20 MPG city and 25 MPG highway.

What years does the Honda Element cover?

This generation of the Honda Element was sold from 2003 to 2011.

Is the Honda Element safe?

Our safety score for the Honda Element is 8/10 (80/100), which means it is reasonably safe, with most modern active safety features. IIHS rates the crash protection acceptable. NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Is the Honda Element a good first car?

Not according to our criteria. Good first cars need a safety score 7.5+, insurance under $2,200/yr for a 25-year-old male, repairability score 7.0+, low rollover risk, and compact dimensions. The Honda Element misses on at least one of these.

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Honda Element

03-11 · Honda Element

81out of 100

The Honda Element is a 4-seat utility vehicle with a washable floor, rear suicide doors, and a Honda K24 engine that runs past 200k miles.

Scores last updated: January 1, 2025

Score breakdown

80/ 100Reliability×2.5 88/ 100True Annual Cost×2.0 80/ 100Safety×2.5 65/ 100Practicality×2.0 100/ 100Repairability×1.0

55/ 100Long-Distance Comfort

68/ 100Enthusiast Appeal

Excellent reliability and repairability. Safety score below average — older platform, no ESC standard. Unique utility makes it a strong choice for active buyers.

Our take

What it really is

A 4-seat utility box with rear suicide doors, a washable rubber floor, and an R2-D2 aesthetic that either appeals to you immediately or does not.

Why it's on this list

The Element carries bikes, dogs, kayaks, and camping gear with a flat floor that hoses out. The K24 engine runs to 225k miles. Used prices stay reasonable because demand is a small cult.

The honest trade-offs

Only 4 seats — the rear suicide doors mean the back passengers cannot get in or out without the front doors open. AC compressor and power window regulators are the most common failures.

What to buy and what to avoid

The 2007-2010 for the most refined version. SC trim for AWD in northern climates. Check the rear wheel arches and cargo floor for rust. Manual transmission preferred for longevity.

Annual cost of ownership

Regular fuel. One of the lowest-cost SUVs on the list to own.

Fuel (12k mi)

$1,710 (USD)^[5]

Maintenance

$450 (USD)^[1]

Tires (prorated)

$480 (USD)

Insurance (25yr male)

$1,180 (USD)^[8]

Insurance (40yr female)

$980 (USD)^[8]

Total (25yr male)

$2,180 (USD)

Total (40yr female)

$1,980 (USD)

Key specs

MPG combined

22^[5]

MPG city / hwy

20 / 25^[5]

Tank

15.9 gal^[5]

Engine

2.4L I4

Horsepower

166 hp

Torque

161 lb-ft

Seats

Cargo (behind 2nd row)

25 cu ft

Cargo max

75.5 cu ft

Tow capacity

1,500 lbs

Ground clearance

6.8"

Stock tires

215/70R16

Body

SUV

Rear seats

Folds flat

Safety

NHTSA overall

4/5 ★^[2]

Rollover risk

24%^[2]

IIHS rating

Acceptable^[4]

ESC standard

Driver assists

None standard

Rust vulnerability

Overall severity

Moderate

Frame rust risk

Low

Salt belt impact

Moderate

Rear wheel arches and lower body panels prone to rust in salt belt. Inspect the floor of the cargo area.

Known issues by mileage

60,000-100,000 Miles (97,000-161,000 KM)

AC compressor failureModerate$1,000 (USD)

$800-1,200. Common Honda K-series issue.

60,000-100,000 Miles (97,000-161,000 KM)

Power window regulator failureMinor$200 (USD)

Common Honda failure. Cheap to fix.

60,000-100,000 Miles (97,000-161,000 KM)

Door seal wearMinor$100 (USD)

Rear suicide door seals degrade over time. Wind noise.

Best and worst years

Best years

2007Post-first-year refinements; best reliability year for early gen
2008Updated interior; strong reliability record
2009Excellent long-term record; SC trim adds AWD
2010Final years most refined; best combination of value and reliability

Years to avoid

2003First year; most first-gen issues; manual only available
2004Second year issues still present; better to buy 2007+

Reliability data

RepairPal annual cost

$450 (USD)^[1]

Industry avg annual cost

$652 (USD)^[1]

RepairPal rating

4/5^[1]

Unscheduled visits/yr

0.3^[1]

Severe issue probability

10%^[1]

250k-mile survival

40%^[7]

Repairability

Headlight type

Halogen

DIY replacement cost

$20 (USD)

At major retailer

Yes

Headlight benchmark

10/10

Honda K24 engine is shared with the Accord and CR-V. Cheap parts and massive DIY community.

References

Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.

[1]dataset
RepairPal
Annual maintenance cost, reliability rating, unscheduled visit frequency, severe issue probability
[2]government
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Overall crash test stars, rollover risk %, rollover stars, frontal and side ratings
[3]government
NHTSA Technical Service Bulletins
Manufacturer-acknowledged technical issues and dealer fixes
[4]dataset
IIHS Safety Ratings
Small overlap, side impact, overall safety rating, Top Safety Pick status
[5]government
EPA Fuel Economy Guide
MPG city/highway/combined, fuel grade required, tank size
[6]forum thread
CarComplaints
Most complained-about model years, common failure patterns by year and mileage band
[7]dataset
iSeeCars Long-Term Reliability
250k-mile survival rate, depreciation curve, best age to buy used
[8]publication
Bankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates
Insurance cost estimates by vehicle class and driver profile

Before you buy

Looking to buy a Honda Element?

Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.

Get the checklist