Recall 10V361 affects 585 2010 Honda Element vehicles with an incorrectly set shift cable bushing. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
Honda is recalling 585 2010 Element vehicles with automatic transmissions because the shift cable was not set correctly at the shift lever bracket. The driver can move the gear selector without the transmission entering the selected gear, which can leave the key stuck, block shifts into or out of Park or Reverse, and increase crash risk; the Honda dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The shift cable on the 2010 Honda Element links the gear selector in the cabin to the automatic transmission. When it is set correctly, moving the lever to Park, Reverse, Neutral, or Drive moves the transmission into the same selected gear. The gear indicator should match what the transmission is actually doing.
On affected Element vehicles, the cable was not set correctly at the shift lever bracket during assembly. That bracket is the mounting point that keeps the cable aligned with the shifter. If the cable sits out of position, the lever still moves, but the transmission can stay in a different gear than the driver selected.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem shows up when the vehicle does not respond as expected after shifting, such as staying in a gear other than the one shown by the lever.
Who's affected?
| 2010 Honda Element | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 585 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific SUV.
What's the safety risk?
The shift cable bushing problem can leave the key stuck in the ignition, keep the vehicle from shifting into or out of Park, or prevent shifting into Reverse. That raises crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair and use care when parking or reversing. Repair will be free at any franchised Honda dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010 Honda Element is included in this recall.
- Watch for Honda's mailed owner notice if you have not received one.
- Contact a franchised Honda dealer and ask about the free shift-cable bushing correction that restores proper gear selection.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one, or reference recall number 10V361 when you call.
- Use extra care until the repair is complete; the transmission can fail to match the gear selected.
What happens at the repair
Honda began the safety recall on August 9, 2010, after contacting some owners by phone and arranging free repairs. Other owners were notified by mail. At the dealer, a Honda technician correctly sets the shift cable bushing at the shift lever bracket so the gear selector and transmission line up as intended. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered by Honda.
Timeline
| August 4, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 9, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V361?
Recall 10V361 covers 585 2010 Honda Element automatic-transmission vehicles with a shift cable that was not set correctly at the shift lever bracket. The transmission can fail to match the gear selected by the driver. Honda dealers will correctly set the shift cable bushing for free.
What should I do if my 2010 Honda Element is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Element is included in recall 10V361. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer and ask for the shift cable bushing repair. Reference recall number 10V361 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Honda's remedy says dealers will correctly set the shift cable bushing free of charge. A franchised Honda dealer handles the repair.
What is the safety risk in recall 10V361?
The safety risk is that the transmission can fail to enter the gear selected by the driver. Honda says this can leave the key stuck in the ignition, prevent shifting into or out of Park, or prevent shifting into Reverse, increasing crash risk.
What if I bought my 2010 Honda Element used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Honda dealer with recall number 10V361. Honda also lists 1-800-999-1009 for owner questions about this recall.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V361000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-800-999-1009 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V361 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V361000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →