The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 14,884 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 7 complaints in its first 3 years.
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Toyota RAV4 1272009 Honda CR-V 332009 Nissan Rogue 61
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2009 Honda Element
- Rust / frame corrosion8 complaints
Specific parts named in the 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 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 6 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19E068000 (speed control), 19V501000 (airbags) and 19V499000 (airbags) done? It has 9 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?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Honda sent dealers 49 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “On some model vehicles, there is an alternator/starter tester (ast) module capable of testing”?
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 7 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 24K miles (3K to 39K km) on the car (6 of all 7 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
Soft brake pedal on 2009 Honda Element lx awd. Brake pedal may go almost to the floor so that foot hits gas pedal when braking.
2009 Honda Element owner · NHTSA complaint 10331758
More owner reports
2009 Honda Element, under 2000 miles after certification suffered a brake failure without warning leading to accident.
NHTSA complaint 10416913
Problems Honda told dealers about
Honda sent dealers 49 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 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
- There are several A/C leak detection tools available
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 9
- Speed control · recall issued 2019
The rotating portion of the accelerator pedal assembly may bind.
- 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…
Show all 9 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
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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.
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 $2,750–$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. 2009 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 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/honda-element/?y=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Honda Element reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Honda Element reliable?
We can't score it: only 14,884 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Honda Element problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (43%), steering (14%) and visibility (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Honda Element have?
9 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 2009 Honda Element get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Honda Element have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 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 2009 Honda Element have?
2.4L 4-cyl.
What Honda Element year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2006 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average). Across every year, 2005 drew the fewest.
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