Pre-purchase report
230,000 miles · asking $8,000 · 2.4L K24A4 I4
6 known failure points for this generation · cost data pending verification
A boxy, utilitarian crossover built on the CR-V platform with a rubber floor and clamshell doors, beloved for durability and hauling. Money mostly goes into brakes, the aging airbag system, and normal K24 maintenance, not into major powertrain failures.
AI-drafted profile
This failure-mode list was drafted by AI and cross-checked against this car’s real NHTSA complaint data. It has not yet been verified by our mechanics or owners, and it deliberately shows no cost figures: we never publish a dollar amount we can’t source. Own one? Your cost submissions below are what turn this into a verified teardown.
What you’ll notice: Recall notice for driver or passenger inflator, or no record of it being done.
These years are covered under the massive Takata recall for inflators that can rupture. Confirm completion, this is safety critical.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
What you’ll notice: Airbag light stays on, often traced to seat occupant sensor or a connector under the seat.
Element seats flex and the OPDS/occupant sensor wiring degrades, throwing SRS codes. It's the top complaint component for this vehicle.
Typical window: 80k-180k miles
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
What you’ll notice: Ticking on cold start, check engine light for catalyst efficiency.
The integrated manifold-cat on the K24 can crack or degrade with age, a known Honda four-cylinder pattern.
Typical window: 100k-180k miles
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
What you’ll notice: Door ajar warnings, interior lights, or window switch faults from door harness wear.
The rear suicide doors flex the wiring harness repeatedly, wearing wires at the hinge. Grounds electrical complaints.
Typical window: 90k-200k miles
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
What you’ll notice: Rear pads and rotors wear fast, or brake pedal feels soft from a corroded line.
Rear brake bias plus rust on the hard lines is a common maintenance and safety item, matching the service brakes and hydraulic complaints.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume · applies only if found
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
What you’ll notice: Clunks over bumps or rusted rear suspension components in salt-belt cars.
Rear suspension pockets hold road salt, corroding trailing arm mounts and links. Shows up in the suspension complaints.
Condition-driven: inspect, don't assume · applies only if found
AI-drafted, unverified · cross-checked against NHTSA complaints · submit what you paid below to verify it
AI-drafted for this chassis. Hand it to your inspector.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these before any recall exists. 2 are still open: ask your inspector about it.
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS
led to recall 22V945
AIR BAGS
led to recall 15V226000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
led to recall 10V098000
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file (public federal data).
112 owner complaints and 12 recalls on file for the 2007 HONDA ELEMENT (public federal data). Failure mileages come from odometer readings owners filed with NHTSA.
failures cluster 49k-142k mi · median 80k (n=54) · this car is past the median
failures cluster 66k-147k mi · median 99k (n=18) · this car is past the median
failures cluster 59k-124k mi · median 75k (n=5) · this car is past the median
failures cluster 102k-200k mi · median 150k (n=10) · this car is past the median
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV
Dorman Products, Inc. (Dorman) is recalling certain Accelerator Pedal Assemblies part numbers 699-114 and 825-5029-1, sold as replacement parts for 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2004-2008 Acura TL and TSX, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2007-2011 Honda Element, 2005-2008 Honda Pilot and 2006-
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot and 2006 Ridgeline vehicles. The
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2003-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, and 2006-2014 Ridgeline vehicles.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012 Insight, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2012 Ridgeline vehicles. The front passenger air b
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Acura MDX and Honda CR-V vehicles, 2005-2011 Honda Element vehicles, 2005-2012 Acura RL vehicles, 2006-2012 Honda Ridgeline vehicles, 2007-2008 Honda Fit vehicles and 2005-2008 Honda Pilot vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, i
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2005-2011 Acura RL, 2005-2006 Honda CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2007-2008 Fit, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2002-2004 Odyssey, and 2006-2011 Ridgeline vehicles originally sold, or that have ever been registered, in Alabama, Calif
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2002-2003 Acur
Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Element passenger vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. The wire that supplies power to the trailer turn signal lights was inadvertently switched with the stop lamp wire. As a result the turn signals only illuminat
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. THE OUTER RACE OF THE SECONDARY SHAFT BEARING MAY BE BROKEN DURING CERTAIN DRIVING STYLES. A BROKEN OUTER RACE MAY CAUSE ABNORMAL
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
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. AIR CAN ENTER THE VSA MODULAR PUMP DURING AN INITIAL SELF-CHECK PROCESS THAT OCCURS SHORTLY AFTER EACH TIME THE ENGINE IS STARTED.
50 manufacturer service bulletins on file with NHTSA for this model year.
AIR BAGS (32) · EQUIPMENT (10) · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4) · ENGINE (2)
Tell us what a job actually cost you. Submissions are reviewed and folded into the report as owner-reported data. Never auto-published. Have the actual invoice? Upload it here (that’s the gold standard).