The Lemon Index
200620081st generation
Not enough data. Only 19 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
19 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2007 Toyota RAV4 1522007 Honda CR-V 472007 Ford Escape 61
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2007 Honda Element
- Rust / frame corrosion11 complaints
Specific parts named in the 112 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 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
Only 16 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19E068000 (speed control), 19V499000 (airbags) and 19V501000 (airbags) done? It has 12 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?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Honda sent dealers 50 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Front passenger seat squeaks or rattles”?
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 19 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 12K to 30K miles (19K to 48K km) on the car (16 of all 19 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
2007 Honda Element, purchased march of 2007. February 15, 2008 crack showed up on windshield starting from right side frame of windshield, growing daily.
2007 Honda Element owner · NHTSA complaint 10218270
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 50 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Front passenger seat squeaks or rattles
- On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing
- The mil comes on with one of these dtcs: p2646/p2651 (rocker arm oil pressure switch
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 12
- Speed control · recall issued 2019
The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind.
- 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 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 …
Show all 12 recalls
- 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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
The front passenger air bag may have been installed incorrectly during replacement.
- 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…
- Electrical · recall issued 2012
The wire that supplies power to the trailer turn signal lights was inadvertently switched with the stop lamp wire.
- 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.
- Service brakes, air · recall issued 2010
HONDA HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 ODYSSEY AND ELEMENT PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 28, 2006 AND AUGUST 21, 2008.
- Lights · recall issued 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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
- ClosedAir in brake system2009–2010
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 $2,750–$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. 2007 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2007 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/honda-element/?y=2007" 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/2007/">Lemon Index</a> (2007 Honda Element reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2007 Honda Element reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 19 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2007 Honda Element problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (42%), visibility (26%) and seats (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 Honda Element have?
12 safety recalls (latest: speed control). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 Honda Element get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2007 Honda Element have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2007 Honda Element cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 Honda Element have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Honda Element year is better than the 2007?
Nearby, the 2005 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
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