2010 HONDA ELEMENT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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 others had experienced similar, but I was told there was no recall for this issue currently. I reported this to my insurance and they scheduled a repair, but the vehicle has not yet been inspected as of today, 7/18/2025. It is available for inspection upon request. There were no warning lamps, messages, or any other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

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 tires put on and an oil change, so I know folks were under there less than 3 months prior. After research, I now know that this issue is a regular complaint of those who own Honda Elements in northern climates, so much so that in Canada there was a recall on the models 2003-2010. I don't know why there hasn't been a recall or lawsuit in the United States, as this was a very rapid, dangerous on-the-road failure. There were no visible warning signs or statements issued by Honda to be on the lookout for this, and the most troubling aspect is that it was likely rusting from the top of the mount down, which is why it doesn't spark alarm by repair shops and tire changes. I am calling my insurance today to talk it over. I'm grateful for my safety and others in this situation, but fear that it has not worked out that way for someone else. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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?

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?