2010 Honda Element — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2010 Honda Element is an SUV powered by a 2.4L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 26 mpg (UK) / 22 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 24–26 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Honda Element workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 2.4L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 26 combined / 24 urban / 30 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 22 combined / 20 city / 25 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 251 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,050 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 4 configurations for the 2010 Honda Element, all with the 2.4L 4-cyl engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 20 to 22 mpg (US), or 24 to 26 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (19/24) | 263 | $3,200 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 22 (20/25) | 251 | $3,050 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (18/23) | 276 | $3,350 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (18/23) | 276 | $3,350 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2010 Honda Element
Running Costs: 2010 Honda Element
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2010 Honda Element at 26 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,399 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2010 Honda Element Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 11 safety recall campaigns that include the 2010 Honda Element (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (8), Vehicle speed control (1), Electrical system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Vehicle speed control — campaign 19E068000, reported 10 October 2019. Risk: If the accelerator pedal binds, the engine may not quickly return to idle after the pedal is no longer pressed, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Air bags — campaign 19V501000, reported 27 June 2019. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Air bags — campaign 19V499000, reported 27 June 2019. Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Air bags — campaign 19V182000, reported 6 March 2019. Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Showing the 4 most recent of 11 campaigns.
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Honda Element. The most-reported areas are Air bags (7), Suspension (6), Service brakes (4). Complaints include 2 reported crashes, 5 reported injuries.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2010 Honda Element
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Air bags (8 recall campaigns · 7 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Throttle & cruise control (1 recall campaign) — Check throttle response and cruise control are smooth, and ask about any software or throttle recalls.
- Electrical system (1 recall campaign) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Transmission & drivetrain (1 recall campaign) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Honda Element compare to similar SUVs? SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model sits close to that average, within 1 mpg. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Honda models in our database average about 35 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2010 Honda Element's 26 mpg is 9 mpg below that make average. Its 251 g/km CO₂ figure is 54 g/km higher than the 197 g/km Honda average.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2010 Honda Element
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2010 Honda Element have?
It's fitted with a 2.4L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic 5-spd transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Honda Element?
The most efficient configuration returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, or 22 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 24 to 26 mpg.
How much does the 2010 Honda Element cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,050 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2010 Honda Element have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 11 safety recall campaigns that include the 2010 Honda Element (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Air bags (8), Vehicle speed control (1), Electrical system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2010 Honda Element?
Among the 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Air bags (7 complaints), Suspension (6 complaints), Service brakes (4 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Honda Element's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 26 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.