Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Element.
The 2011 Honda Element is an SUV paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, EPA ratings of 20/24/22 mpg, and a 4.4-quart 5W-20 API oil capacity. Across the model’s 2003–2011 complaint record, the 2011 model logged only 11 owner complaints—the lowest figure in that span, against 449 for the 2003 model—with air bags cited as the top complaint area and 11 recalls on file. That complaint count places the 2011 Element at the quietest end of the model’s reliability spectrum, making it the benchmark year for the line’s owner-reported reliability record.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Overall length | 169.3 in |
| Overall width | 71.7 in |
| Overall height | 70.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.6 in |
| Curb weight | 3578 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 62.2 / 62.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 57/43 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 20 / 24 / 22 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Element of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | EX-P 2.4L I-4 | 9.50 sec | 17.30 sec | 156 hp | FWD |
| 2003 | EX 2.4L I-4 | 8.10 sec | 16.20 sec | 160 hp | FWD |
| 2003 | EX 2.4L I-4 | 8.40 sec | 16.60 sec | 160 hp | FWD |
| 2003 | EX 2.4L I-4 | 8.70 sec | 16.60 sec | 160 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, USE HONDA PART NO. 08200-9007 OR EQUIVALENT in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.7 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | ATF |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.8 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Differential Gear Oil | USE HONDA PART NO. 08200-9007 OR EQUIVALENT |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.1 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 5W-20 · API |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 8mm Bolts: 20 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 54 ft-lbs, MT: 76 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 16 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 33 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 33.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 8mm Bolts: 20 ft-lbs , 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 181 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 134 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 700 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load) | 720 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load) | 50 rpm |
| Ignition Timing | 8, Not adjutstable degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Reference RPM | Idle rpm |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.10-1.20 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 5.33-5.40 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 51R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 410 cca |
| Pressure Test | 14-18 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 169-176 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 48.0 |
| Engine Compression | 135 Minimum PSI. 28 Maximum variation PSI |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 10 psi @ idle, 44 psi @ 3000 rpm psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | 0.110-0.130 in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | 0.110-0.130 in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 25 ft-lbs / 17 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs / 41 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.063; Rear: 0.040 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.902 in / 0.35 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.909 in / 0.358 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.827 in / 0.295 in |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 36 ft. lbs., step 2: 90 | 36 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2011 Honda Element, the most recent year in this federal record, posts the lowest complaint volume of the entire run with just 11 complaints—down sharply from 449 in 2003 and continuing the steep decline visible from 2008 (110) onward. Recalls, however, held remarkably steady at 11 (versus a range of 9–13 across the generation), and investigations remained at 3, consistent with the longer-term norm rather than indicating an improvement. TSBs settled at 45, near the low end of the 47–178 range seen across the model years, pointing to fewer emerging service issues as the platform matured. The dominant complaint area is air bags, accounting for 5 of the 11 filings, though the data does not specify a root cause; with only 1 crash and 0 fire complaints reported, the safety exposure remains limited. On a complaints-per-year basis, the 2011 represents one of the cleaner choices in the Element lineup, but the 11 open recalls mean a buyer should verify completion against the VIN before purchase.
All 11 complaints on record, top 7 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Ridgeline vehicles nationwide. Honda is also recalling certain 2011-2012 Acura RL, 2011 Honda Element and 2011-2013 Ridgeline vehicles in Arizona… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer…
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… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may…
Showing 5 of 45 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A18-050 | 2026-06-30 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's… |
| A20-015 | 2022-05-03 | Air Bags | Service bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
| A07-030 | 2021-01-23 | Equipment | "Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant… |
| A20-015 | 2020-03-10 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
| A20-010 | 2020-03-10 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - This bulletin is a notification of a class action settlement relating… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.4 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 20 city / 24 highway / 22 combined mpg.