How Long Do Honda Elements Last? The Scoop on Vehicle Lifespan

in Reliability
Rear view of a Honda Element parked on a street

Source: Flickr

The Honda Element is a unique, square-shaped compact crossover SUV, offering a flexible interior and driving experience great for the outdoor enthusiast. Although it was discontinued in 2011, there are plenty of used offerings on the market. If you’re interested in the Element, you might wonder - how long do Honda Elements last?

Lifespan is a valuable factor in any car investment. The longer your machine lasts, the more bang you’ll get for your buck. A car that will break down and cost thousands in repairs months after you purchase it will never be worth it. Read on to learn more about how many miles the Honda Element will last, high mileage for the Element, and other information. 

How Many Miles Does the Honda Element Last?

How long do Honda Elements last? According to getjerry.com, you can expect to get 250,000-300,000 miles out of the Honda Element. It’s one of the sturdiest cars available and taking excellent care of it could boost it to survive even past this average. It’s made for people who want their vehicle to last for a long time.

According to progressive.com, here are some additional items that could improve or ruin the lifespan of your machine:

  • The weather you choose to drive in
  • Driving aggressively or gently
  • The time of day you drive
  • Regular maintenance and repairs

No matter what car you own, carefully consider these elements.

The more effort you put into the longevity and survival of your Honda Element, the longer it will last. Drive without slamming on the brakes and hit the road during excellent weather for an ideal impact on your machine.


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What Is High Mileage For the Honda Element?

We mentioned that a typical Honda Element can last 250,000-300,000 miles. Thus, high mileage for the car is anything over 200,000 miles and closing in on 250,000. By this point, the Element is much more likely to experience issues that cost more to repair than the car did.

Of course, there are some cases where it might be a good idea to purchase a Honda Element with higher mileage. For instance, if you’re set on the Element but want to stay within a specific budget, cars with higher mileage typically cost less. The newer the car, the more modern features will be packed inside the makeup.

What Is a Good Mileage for a Honda Element?

It’s always helpful to determine the best mileage a Honda Element should hit before it runs into serious troubles. How long should the Element be able to survive before breaking down more and more? When looking at the lifespan of the Honda Element, it should be able to last at least 200,000 miles or more before expensive repairs come to the surface.

Those who drive long distances to get to work or during errands during the day will notice they hit this point long before those who work from home or use the Element as a secondary car. For most, the Element will last more than two decades.

The more effort you put into your machine, the longer it will last. This effort will pay off when your Honda Element lasts for a long time.


THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE HONDA ELEMENT

We’ve gone through the legwork of getting down to the simple answer of which model year is the most reliable year for the Honda Element. We’ll look at the Element in general, what years are the best, and we’ll even dig into what factors may affect that reliability.


Should I Buy A Used Honda Element With More Than 100k?

If you want to purchase a Honda Element, you’ll need to invest in a used one since it was discontinued in 2011. Unfortunately, most of the affordable years you’ll find have more than 100,000 miles on them. Is it safe to invest in a Honda Element with more than 100,000 miles, or should you leave these vehicles behind?

If you see a Honda Element with more than 100,000 miles on the odometer, it’s safe to invest in it for your next vehicle. Of course, the overall state of the Honda Element is determined by how well the previous owner cared for the vehicle. Honda Elements are safe to buy with more than 100,000 miles, as long as they’re far from the 250,000-mile mark.

At What Mileage Do Most Hondas Break Down?

It’s helpful to determine the typical mileage for a Honda. By understanding this number, you will decide how the Honda Element fits in with everything and if Honda is even a manufacturer worth buying from.

According to brickellhonda.com, a standard Honda will last 200,000 miles. The Honda Element is a powerful vehicle and pushes past the average lifespan for Honda Elements.


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Common Honda Element Issues

How long do Honda Elements last? When considering the lifespan of the Element, it’s helpful to look at the top three issues this machine experiences. Although it lasts a long time, not everyone wants to deal with the most prominent troubles of the Element.

According to motorbiscuit.com, here are three common troubles with the Honda Element:

  • Door lock not working after a period
  • Supplemental Restraint System troubles
  • Airbag recall on some models

These appear most often in the Honda Element, though smaller troubles might come up along the way.

You might note these in any year of the Honda Element, no matter whether it’s a reliable or unreliable selection. However, they are most likely to come up in years with excessive mileage on the odometer and poor maintenance from previous owners.

Final Thoughts

How long do Honda Elements last? Although the Honda Element was discontinued in 2011, it’s a solid choice in terms of longevity. Many owners report their Element surviving 250,000-300,000 miles, higher than the average for other Honda vehicles and an excellent lifespan for owners who want to get the most value out of their investment.

We hope this information is valuable when selecting your next car! Although it might seem impossible to land on the right car, careful consideration and pondering will make it much easier to feel confident in your Honda Element selection. The more work you put into your car, the longer it will last and the more you will get out of every mile.



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