The Lemon Index
200420061st generation
About average · most complaints: airbags
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
33 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Toyota RAV42005 Honda CR-V 842005 Ford Escape 127
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2005 Honda Element
- Rust / frame corrosion11 complaints
- Airbag light / sensor10 complaintsmostly at 44,000–100,000 miles (70,000–161,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 159 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Honda Element (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,500 and 36,000 miles (4,000–59,000 km) (the middle half of the 28 complaints, of all 33 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V501000 (airbags), 19V499000 (airbags) and 19V182000 (airbags) done? It has 10 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Honda sent dealers 71 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Engine-cranks won't start, immobilizer light flashes”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Honda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 33 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 36K miles (4K to 59K km) on the car (28 of all 33 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The passenger side airbag in my 2005 Honda Element deployed, but I was not in an accident.
2005 Honda Element owner · NHTSA complaint 10172123
More owner reports
My passenger side airbag deployed while the car was not moving. This is the airbag that located on the side of the seat.
NHTSA complaint 10195507
Windshield has cracked 3 times over a 6 month period.
NHTSA complaint 10147185
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 71 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine-cranks won't start, immobilizer light flashes
- Troubleshooting a stalling engine?
- Engine won't start at all; engine intermittently starts
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 10
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
The vehicles are equipped with passenger frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high …
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
These vehicles are equipped with driver frontal air bag inflators assembled as a recall remedy part or replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high a…
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
The affected vehicles received a replacement driver air bag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containi.
Show all 10 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Airbags · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator t…
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2011
HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 ACCORD, 2007-2010 CR-V, AND 2005-2008 ELEMENT PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1, 2004, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 3, 2010.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Equipment · recall issued 2005
CERTAIN HONDA ACCESSORY TRAILER HARNESS KIT, P/N 08L91-SCV-102, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 24 AND DECEMBER 18, 2004, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 2005 HONDA ELEMENT VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 20, 2004, AND APRIL 29,…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl.
Every Honda Element year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/honda-element/?y=2005" title="Honda Element reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/honda-element/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Honda Element reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Honda Element reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew somewhat fewer complaints than the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 85; 100 is average, lower is better). 2005 is one of the better years of a model that draws 2.1× the average car's complaints.
What are the most common 2005 Honda Element problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (45%), visibility (21%) and engine (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Honda Element have?
10 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Honda Element get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Honda Element problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,500 and 36,000 miles (4,000–59,000 km) (the middle half of the 28 complaints, of all 33 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2005 Honda Element have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Honda Element cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Honda Element have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Honda Element year than the 2005?
Not nearby: the 2005 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Honda Element years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works