
Honda Element
production numbers
Explore the numbers behind the Element: U.S. sales from 2003–2011, model-year references and the limits of rarity estimates.
The documented numbers
Nine years. One unmistakable Element.
Honda’s published figures are shown below. The bars compare sales volume; the labels carry the exact values.
| Year | U.S. sales | Original brochure |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 67,478 | Explore 2003 → |
| 2004 | 59,927 Corrected | Explore 2004 → |
| 2005 | 56,262 | Explore 2005 → |
| 2006 | 51,829 | Explore 2006 → |
| 2007 | 35,218 | Explore 2007 → |
| 2008 | 26,447 | Explore 2008 → |
| 2009 | 14,884 | Explore 2009 → |
| 2010 | 14,247 | Explore 2010 → |
| 2011 | 11,534 | Explore 2011 → |
| 2003–2011 total | 337,826 | Sum of the nine years above |
Source: Honda’s 2025 Digital FactBook, section 3.4 → Sales outside this date range are excluded from this subtotal.
Find your year
From numbers to your Element.
Use the original brochure for model-year equipment and specifications. The trim and color-count notes below are preserved from the legacy resource and still need brochure-by-brochure verification.
2003
DX, EX
6 colors listed in the legacy summary
2004
DX, LX, EX
6 colors listed in the legacy summary
2005
LX, EX
8 colors listed in the legacy summary
2006
LX, EX, EX-P
7 colors listed in the legacy summary
2007
LX, EX, EX-P, SC
8 colors listed in the legacy summary
2008
LX, EX, EX-P, SC
9 colors listed in the legacy summary
2009
LX, EX, SC
8 colors listed in the legacy summary
2010
LX, EX, SC
9 colors listed in the legacy summary
2011
LX, EX
7 colors listed in the legacy summary
Identify, then verify
A color has a story.
All 24 legacy color entries are retained. Swatches are approximate screen colors. Check your vehicle’s paint label before ordering paint; archived availability, rarity and volume estimates are not factory-confirmed counts.
Open the complete paint-code guide →Alabaster Silver Metallic
NH700M · Silver
2006–2011
All trims
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Very Common
Estimated volume: ~130,000
Desirability opinion: Low
Years listed: 6
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Atomic Blue Metallic
B537M · Blue
2006–2008
LX, EX only
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Uncommon
Estimated volume: ~22,000
Desirability opinion: Moderate
Years listed: 3
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Cargo Khaki
YR547 · Tan/Beige
2005 only
DX, LX, EX
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Rare
Estimated volume: ~2,800
Desirability opinion: Moderate
Years listed: 1
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Citrus Fire Metallic
YR579M · Orange
2009–2011
LX, EX only
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Common
Estimated volume: ~10,000
Desirability opinion: Moderate
Years listed: 3
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Crystal Black Pearl
NH731P · Black
2009–2011
LX, EX only
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Common
Estimated volume: ~12,000
Desirability opinion: High
Years listed: 3
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Eternal Blue Pearl
B96P · Blue
2003 only
DX, LX, EX
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Very Rare
Estimated volume: ~11,000
Desirability opinion: Very High
Years listed: 1
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Fiji Blue Pearl
B529P · Blue
2004–2005
DX, LX, EX
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Uncommon
Estimated volume: ~23,000
Desirability opinion: Moderate
Years listed: 2
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Galapagos Green Metallic
G511M · Green
2003–2005
DX, LX, EX
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Common
Estimated volume: ~30,000
Desirability opinion: Very High
Years listed: 3
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Galaxy Gray Metallic
NH701M · Gray
2007–2008
LX, EX, SC
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Uncommon
Estimated volume: ~12,000
Desirability opinion: Moderate
Years listed: 2
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Kiwi Metallic
GY25M · Green
2006–2008
LX, EX only
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Uncommon
Estimated volume: ~18,000
Desirability opinion: Moderate
Years listed: 3
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Magnesium Metallic
NH675M · Gray
2005 only
DX, LX, EX
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Rare
Estimated volume: ~2,800
Desirability opinion: Moderate
Years listed: 1
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Midnight Red Pearl
R538P · Red
2009–2010 SC only
SC only
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Very Rare
Estimated volume: ~1,000
Desirability opinion: Very High
Years listed: 2
SC-only flag: Yes
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Nighthawk Black Pearl
B92P · Black
2003–2008
All trims
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Very Common
Estimated volume: ~100,000
Desirability opinion: Moderate
Years listed: 6
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Omni Blue Pearl
B562P · Blue
2009–2011
LX, EX only
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Common
Estimated volume: ~9,000
Desirability opinion: Very High
Years listed: 3
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Polished Metal Metallic
NH737M · Gray
2009–2011
LX, EX only
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Common
Estimated volume: ~9,000
Desirability opinion: Moderate
Years listed: 3
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Rallye Red
R513 · Red
2005–2006
DX, LX, EX
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Uncommon
Estimated volume: ~17,000
Desirability opinion: Moderate
Years listed: 2
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Root Beer Metallic
YR569M · Brown
2007–2008 SC only
SC only
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Very Rare
Estimated volume: ~1,500
Desirability opinion: Very High
Years listed: 2
SC-only flag: Yes
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Royal Blue Pearl
B536P · Blue
2008–2010
SC only 2008; all 2009–10
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Rare
Estimated volume: ~5,000
Desirability opinion: High
Years listed: 3
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Satin Silver Metallic
NH623M · Silver
2003–2005
DX, LX, EX
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Common
Estimated volume: ~30,000
Desirability opinion: Low
Years listed: 3
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Shoreline Mist Metallic
YR528M · Tan/Beige
2003–2004
DX, LX, EX
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Uncommon
Estimated volume: ~20,000
Desirability opinion: Low
Years listed: 2
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Sunset Orange Pearl
YR539P · Orange
2003–2005
DX, LX, EX
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Common
Estimated volume: ~30,000
Desirability opinion: Very High
Years listed: 3
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Taffeta White
NH578 · White
2010–2011
LX, EX only
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Uncommon
Estimated volume: ~5,000
Desirability opinion: Moderate
Years listed: 2
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Tango Red Pearl
R525P · Red
2006–2011
LX, EX only
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Common
Estimated volume: ~50,000
Desirability opinion: Moderate
Years listed: 6
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
Tangerine Metallic
YR5863M · Orange
2006–2008
LX, EX only
Archived estimates & notes
Legacy rarity: Uncommon
Estimated volume: ~18,000
Desirability opinion: Moderate
Years listed: 3
SC-only flag: No
Unverified legacy estimates, not a production certificate.
What the numbers cannot tell us
Rarity needs more than a score.
The legacy model combines annual sales, trim share, drivetrain share, transmission share and an equal split between available colors. These assumptions do not establish actual factory totals or how many vehicles survive today.
SC estimates disagree
The legacy annual rows total 12,584; its headline says about 14,000 and its prose says 14,000–18,000. These estimates are retained below, not reconciled into a new fact.
Manual estimates disagree
The legacy annual calculation totals 48,527 manuals, while its headline and prose say about 33,000–34,000. A “30–35 built” rarest-configuration claim also lacks recoverable supporting records.
Colors are not evenly distributed
Legacy color-volume estimates overlap and exceed the period’s sales total when added. They should not be used as an additive production breakdown or a valuation guide.
Inspect original annual trim, drivetrain and transmission estimates
Unverified historical assumptions. Sales here preserve the original 2004 value for auditability; use the corrected table above for reported sales. A zero SC estimate means no SC allocation in the source model.
| Year | Legacy sales | Trims | Colors | SC estimate | FWD % estimate | AWD % estimate | Manual % estimate | Auto % estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 67478 | DX, EX | 6 | 0 | 50 | 50 | 20 | 80 |
| 2004 | 59227 | DX, LX, EX | 6 | 0 | 48 | 52 | 18 | 82 |
| 2005 | 56262 | LX, EX | 8 | 0 | 48 | 52 | 15 | 85 |
| 2006 | 51829 | LX, EX, EX-P | 7 | 0 | 48 | 52 | 13 | 87 |
| 2007 | 35218 | LX, EX, EX-P, SC | 8 | 3522 | 52 | 48 | 12 | 88 |
| 2008 | 26447 | LX, EX, EX-P, SC | 9 | 3967 | 55 | 45 | 11 | 89 |
| 2009 | 14884 | LX, EX, SC | 8 | 2530 | 57 | 43 | 10 | 90 |
| 2010 | 14247 | LX, EX, SC | 9 | 2565 | 58 | 42 | 4 | 96 |
| 2011 | 11534 | LX, EX | 7 | 0 | 50 | 50 | 0 | 100 |
Read the archived methodology and historical claims
Historical source text follows, not verified conclusions. Its “HIGH” confidence language applies to its claimed annual-sales sourcing, not every row. Its production/model-year labels, 2004 count, SC/manual totals and rarest-configuration assertion have the limitations explained above.
Data Confidence Framework
| Level | What It Covers | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| HIGH | Annual US sales totals by model year | Official American Honda Motor Co. press releases, confirmed by GCBC and CarFigures.com quarterly data |
| MEDIUM | Trim-level production estimates | Used market inventory ratios, enthusiast community surveys, Honda pricing tier analysis |
| LOW | Drivetrain split, transmission split, color distribution | Enthusiast community surveys, forum discussions, used market analysis, community consensus (~50% AWD, ~10% manual) |
Key Production Facts
Total US Production: ~337,126 units (2003–2011) based on confirmed annual sales. Wikipedia and Reuters cite ~325,000 through late 2010, consistent with this figure when 2011’s 11,534 units are added.
SC Production Estimate: The SC trim was offered 2007–2010. Based on trim mix analysis, SC is estimated at 10–18% of annual production during those years, totaling approximately 14,000–18,000 units across all four years.
Manual Transmission: Community consensus estimates ~10% of all Elements had manual transmissions, totaling approximately 33,000–34,000 units. The 2010 model year was the last for manual on non-SC trims (EX-4WD only), making 2010 manual Elements extremely rare. 2011 was automatic-only.
AWD Production: Community consensus estimates ~50% AWD overall, totaling approximately 168,000 units. The SC was FWD-only. AWD was more popular in northern and mountain states.
Rarest Configuration: A 2009 or 2010 SC FWD Manual in Midnight Red Pearl is estimated at approximately 30–35 units produced, making it the rarest factory configuration.
Important Disclaimers
No Official Breakdown: Honda has never published official trim-level, color, drivetrain, or transmission production breakdowns for the Element. All sub-annual figures are estimates.
Estimate Methodology: Estimates use a multiplicative model: Annual Sales × Trim% × Drivetrain% × Transmission% ÷ Colors Available. This assumes independence between variables, which may not be accurate in practice.
Color Distribution: Color production is assumed to be equally distributed among available colors for a given trim/year. In reality, some colors (silver, black) were almost certainly more popular than others (green, khaki).
Survivorship: This database reflects production estimates, not surviving vehicles. Actual surviving examples may differ due to accidents, rust, and attrition over 15–22 years.
Primary Sources
- Good Car Bad Car (GCBC) — Annual US sales figures (HIGH confidence)
- CarFigures.com — Monthly/quarterly US sales data
- Wikipedia — Honda Element — Model year history, trim details, production notes
- Rambler Dan Color Guide — Authoritative paint color and interior reference
- Honda Element Parts — Color codes, rarity ratings, and trim availability
- Element DIY — Color codes and trim details
- Honda Newsroom — Press releases including SC prototype announcement
- JD Power Model Year History — Year-by-year changes
- WardsAuto — Production end announcement (Dec 2010)
- Reuters — ~325,000 total US production figure
- Honda Element Owners Club — Community production discussions and surveys
- r/HondaElement — Community surveys and discussions
Original rarity-score method
The legacy 1–100 score adds year-volume weighting, trim points (SC 25, DX 15, EX-P 10, EX 5, LX 0), AWD 5, manual 15, AWD/manual bonus 10 and color points 1–22. The legacy claim that scores over 80 imply fewer than 100 units has not been validated. No score is calculated here without the missing dataset.
Behind the numbers
Sources & provenance
Honda’s 2025 Digital FactBook, section 3.4 → The nine annual values are checked against this table. Trim and color notes remain attributed legacy material.
Source links and original methodology are retained in the disclosure above.
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Your next stop
Keep exploring your Element
Find your factory paint code
Identify the paint code and explore the full color reference.
Open guide
Explore your model year
Read original brochures for colors, equipment and model-year specifications.
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Keep the specifications close
Continue from model history to the practical torque reference.
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