The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·12V436000·Announced 2012-09-05

Honda Recalls 2007-2011 Element Vehicles for Trailer Wiring Defect

Honda is recalling 2007-2011 Element vehicles with trailer hitches because turn signal wiring is incorrect, potentially increasing crash risk.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product where the defect potentially increases the risk of a crash, but no specific injuries or fatalities are reported in the source text.

Plain-English summary

Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Element passenger vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. The recall involves 5,216 vehicles. The defect is that the wire supplying power to the trailer turn signal lights was inadvertently switched with the stop lamp wire. As a result, the turn signals only illuminate when the brake lamps are illuminated, which does not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108.

Without proper trailer turn signal illumination, the driver's intent is not communicated to other road users, potentially increasing the risk of a crash. The safety recall began on September 20, 2012.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
HONDA ELEMENT
Brand
HONDA
Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Category
Vehicle — Light-Duty Vehicle
Hazard
Affected units
5,216

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • ELEMENT

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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